Many factors – such as minor bugs, outdated drivers, and incorrect settings – can prevent Windows 10 from registering the right-click from your PC’s pointing device. However, the list of troubleshooting tips and fixes below should help you fix when right-click is not working in Windows 10.
1. Restart File Explorer
1. Restart File Explorer
If you could right-click on the mouse or touchpad just before the issue started, you can try restarting File Explorer. That often ends up getting rid of any random glitches with context menus.
2. Restart Windows 10
2. Restart Windows 10
Restarting File Explorer alone may not end up fixing right-click problem in Windows 10. If the issue persists, you should continue by rebooting Windows 10. Do that now before moving on to the next fix.
3. Disconnect/Reconnect Mouse
3. Disconnect/Reconnect Mouse
Unplugging an external pointing device from your PC and plugging it back again is another way to fix odd input-related snags in Windows 10. If the mouse or touchpad has an ON/OFF switch, you should also try flicking it back and forth to reboot the internal circuitry.
4. Check Mouse Settings
4. Check Mouse Settings
If the buttons on your mouse appear to have flipped (as in the left mouse button right-clicks and vice-versa), you must use the Settings app in Windows 10 to fix that.
5. Check Touchpad Settings
5. Check Touchpad Settings
When using a touchpad, you must confirm if you’ve set up the right-click or secondary click operation to register the way you want.
6. Check Mouse/Touchpad Support Software
6. Check Mouse/Touchpad Support Software
Input devices can come with dedicated support software that overrides the default mouse and touchpad options in Windows 10’s Settings app. If you’ve installed such a program, open it and modify any settings related to the right-click operation as needed.
7. Remove Recently Installed Software
7. Remove Recently Installed Software
If the issue occurred right after installing a third-party application, you’re probably dealing with a software-related conflict. Try removing the program from your computer and check if that helps.
8. Disable Third-Party Customization Programs
8. Disable Third-Party Customization Programs
Third-party mouse customization programs (such as Mouse Manager) are another reason right-click may stop working in Windows 10. If you have something similar installed on your computer, review the mouse key bindings to ensure that you’ve set them up correctly. You may also want to remove the application from your computer.
9. Disable Windows 10 Tablet Mode
9. Disable Windows 10 Tablet Mode
Are you using Windows 10 in Tablet Mode? Due to the user interface’s touchscreen-oriented nature, right-clicking with a mouse or touchpad can result in problems. Try disabling Tablet Mode using the Tablet mode tile in the Action Center.
10. Reinstall Mouse/Touchpad Drivers
10. Reinstall Mouse/Touchpad Drivers
Reinstalling the mouse or touchpad on your computer can fix issues caused by corrupt input device drivers.
11. Update Mouse/Touchpad Drivers
11. Update Mouse/Touchpad Drivers
If you continue to have issues performing the right-click on your computer, you must search the mouse/touchpad manufacturer’s website for dedicated drivers and install them. You can also use a driver updater tool to obtain updates automatically.
12. Update Windows 10
12. Update Windows 10
New Windows 10 updates can contain fixes for any known issues with your mouse or touchpad. If you haven’t updated your computer recently, consider doing that now.
13. Change Power Management Settings for USB Hub
13. Change Power Management Settings for USB Hub
Another way to fix right-click-related issues with external pointing devices is to stop your PC from cutting off power to its USB ports.
14. Scan for Malware
14. Scan for Malware
Malicious programs can hijack various functions in Windows 10 and prevent them from working correctly. Hence, it’s a good idea to scan for and remove malware using Windows Security. If it fails to detect anything, follow up by checking the entire system with a dedicated malware removal tool such as Malwarebytes.
15. Run the System File Checker
15. Run the System File Checker
Do you still keep running into issues with right-click not working on your PC? Try using the System File Checker to fix any system-related errors.
16. Disable Local Group Policy Setting
16. Disable Local Group Policy Setting
If the right-click operation only fails to work within File Explorer and the desktop area, a specific local group policy setting is the likely reason. You must disable it.
17. Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions
17. Disable Third-Party Shell Extensions
Third-party shell extensions insert various options into right-click context menus. That can slow things down or prevent menus from loading at all. You can disable problematic shell extensions using ShellExView.
18. Update Programs
18. Update Programs
If right-click-related issues only crop up within a specific program on your computer, try updating it. You can usually find the option to update an application inside its Help menu or Settings page. Or, you can check for new versions on the developer’s website. You may also want to consider reinstalling the program.
19. Reset Windows 10
19. Reset Windows 10
Did none of the fixes above help? If the mouse or touchpad works correctly on another Windows 10 device, you’re likely dealing with deep-rooted issues in the operating system. You can fix that by resetting Windows 10 to factory settings. If your pointing device fails to right-click on other computers as well (or if you still have issues with the built-in touchpad on a laptop), it’s time to repair or replace it.
