Left Mouse Button Not Working? Here’s How To Make It Click Into Action

Some products are so well suited to their jobs that they hang around even when the technology around them is changing. One such example is the computer mouse. The first mouse was invented back in 1960, and despite modern computers being almost unrecognizable from those in use in 1960, the mouse is still one of the common ways to control a PC. That’s why when something goes wrong with your mouse, it can be a real problem, stopping you from being able to use your PC how you want. It’s even more upsetting when it’s the left mouse button that stops working since that’s the one that usually gets the most use.

If your mouse is misbehaving, there are a few things you can try that might help. Here’s what to try if you’re having problems with your left mouse button not working.

Check If Hardware Problems Prevent the Left Mouse Button from Working

A mouse is a physical piece of hardware, so there are plenty of things that go wrong. Check that the issue isn’t something simple, such as your mouse batteries being low. If you’re using a wired mouse or a mouse that uses a USB dongle, make sure that it’s firmly plugged into the USB port. If it still doesn’t work, try using a different USB port.

Check for any obvious debris or obstructions that could be stopping your mouse from working properly. A quick blast with a can of compressed air can often help to dislodge anything that shouldn’t be in there.

You can also try your mouse on a different computer. If it works as expected, then you’ve probably got a software issue. If it doesn’t, it might be time for a new mouse.

Check Your Primary Mouse Button If Left Mouse Button Is Not Working as Expected

Windows gives you the option to switch your primary mouse button from left to right if you want to use your mouse with your left hand, for example. If this setting is on, then you may find that your left mouse button isn’t working as expected since it’s now effectively your right mouse button. You can change this back in the Windows mouse settings.

Press Windows+I to open the Settings window. In the left-hand menu, click Bluetooth & Devices.

Select Mouse.

Click the Primary Mouse Button drop-down and select Left.

Check ClickLock Isn’t Enabled

While you’re deep in the mouse settings, this is a good time to check that Click-Lock isn’t enabled for your mouse. ClickLock is a feature that allows you to drag out selections with your mouse without needing to hold the left button down while you’re dragging. Instead, you click the left mouse button once, drag out your selection, and then click the left mouse button again to release. If this setting is turned on, then your left mouse button might not work as expected. You can turn this off in the advanced mouse settings.

Press Windows+I to launch the Settings app. Click Bluetooth and Devices in the left-hand menu.

Click Mouse.

Under Related Settings, click Additional Mouse Settings.

Uncheck Turn on ClickLock and click Apply.

Update Mouse Drivers

Another reason why your mouse may not be working correctly is due to outdated drivers. You can try updating your mouse drivers to see if this gets your left mouse button working again.

Right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.

Click Mice and Other Pointing Devices to expand it.

Double-click your mouse to open the Properties window. Click the Driver tab.

Click Update Driver and choose Search Automatically For Drivers.

If an updated driver is found, it will be installed. Try using your mouse again to see if the left mouse button is working as expected.

Roll Back Drivers If Your Left Mouse Button Suddenly Stops Working

At the same time, a new mouse driver may actually cause your problems. If you’ve recently updated your mouse driver, and the left mouse button has stopped working properly since that update, then you can roll back to the previous working driver to get your mouse back in action again.

Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager.

Select Mice and Other Pointing Devices.

Double-click your mouse. Select the Driver tab.

Click Roll Back Driver. This option will be grayed out if you haven’t recently updated your mouse driver.

Try using your mouse again to see if the left button is working once again.

Run an SFC Scan

Windows has a useful tool that can help you check your PC for corrupt or missing system files and repair any issues that it finds. If your left mouse button isn’t working, running the System File Checker (SFC) scan may get things back up and running again.

In the Search window in the taskbar, type Command Prompt.

Click Run as Administrator in the results window.

Type sfc /scannow in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

The System File Checker will start running. It can take a while to complete; once the process is finished, you’ll see a confirmation message. Try your mouse again to see if the left mouse button has started working again.

Run DISM

Another useful tool that’s worth trying is the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), which can repair system images and may help to fix the problem with your left mouse button not working. You can run DISM from the Terminal.

In the Search window in the taskbar, type Command Prompt.

Click Run as Administrator in the results window.

In the Terminal window, enter the following command: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth The tool will start running; this may take a moment or two. Once the DISM tool has finished running, restart your computer and try your mouse again.

Restart Windows Explorer

If you’re having issues when trying to left-click objects such as the Start button, the taskbar, or items on your desktop, the problem may be an issue with Windows Explorer, which is responsible for your computer’s user interface. You can try restarting Windows Explorer to see if this fixes the problem.

Right-click the Start button. Select Task Manager.

Right-click Windows Explorer under Apps.

Click Restart.

Once Windows Explorer has restarted, try your mouse again.

Update Windows to Resolve Some Problems with a left Mouse Button Not Working Properly

If Windows is out of date, it may cause issues that stop your mouse from working correctly. You can try updating to the latest version of Windows to see if this fixes the problem.

Press Windows+I to open the Settings app. In the left-hand menu, select Windows Update.

Click Check For Updates.

Install any updates that are found and restart your computer. Try your mouse again.

Restore Your Computer to a Previous Restore Point

If nothing else works, and your mouse was working previously, you can try restoring your computer to a previous restore point. This should get your mouse up and running again if the problem isn’t hardware-related. Restoring to a previous restore point won’t remove any of your files, but it will remove any apps and drivers that you’ve installed since that restore point, which could be the cause of your mouse issues. Any apps that you still want will need to be reinstalled.

Press Windows+R to open the Run dialog. Type rstrui and press Enter.

When the System Restore window opens, click Next. Check Show More Restore Points.

Select a restore point from a time when you knew that your mouse was working.

Click Next and follow the instructions to restore to the saved restore point. Once completed, try your mouse again to see if the problem is fixed.

Getting Your Left Mouse Button Working Again

If you’re having problems with your left mouse button not working, it can be a real pain, stopping you from being able to use your PC correctly. Knowing how to fix your left mouse button can help you get your computer back up and running again. Mouse problems do happen, which is why it’s always worthwhile learning some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for your computer, just in case the worst happens.

Hopefully, one of the fixes above has helped; if you find any other useful methods for fixing your left mouse button, then please let us know in the comments.

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