Left-Click Not Working in Windows 10? Top 7 Ways to Fix

Left-click is the default command for selecting and highlighting items on a computer. If the left-click button on your mouse or trackpad doesn’t work as designed, the problem could be a software or hardware-related malfunction.

If you use an external mouse, the left-click might malfunction if foreign particles (dust, debris, dirt, etc.) are stuck in the mouse. Contact the mouse’s manufacturer, visit their website, or refer to the product’s instruction manual for cleaning instructions. But if left-click is not working on your PC’s touchpad and/or external mouse, try some of the fixes below.

You’ll need an input method/device to implement some of these troubleshooting solutions. For example, if your PC isn’t touch-enabled, test several external mice and check if anyone works on your PC. You could also use your keyboard to select items and navigate Windows if Mouse Keys is enabled on your PC.

1. Check Mouse Settings

If your mouse or touchpad left-click functions as the right-click, your PC probably recognizes the right-click as the primary mouse button. Head to the Windows Settings menu and switch back to the left button.

Go to Settings > Devices > Mouse and ensure the “Select your primary button” option is set to Left.

2. Use Tap-to-Click

A single click on your PC’s touchpad doubles as a left-click. If nothing happens when you click the surface of your touchpad, try configuring the touchpad to recognize taps instead.

Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad, scroll to the “Taps” section, and check the Tap with a single finger to single-click box.

Restart the Windows Explorer in the Task Manager if your PC’s left-click is still not working correctly.

3. Restart the Windows Explorer

When certain system processes malfunction, restarting the Windows Explorer can help restore them to regular status.

1. Right-click a blank space on the taskbar and select Task Manager.

Alternatively, launch the Task Manager from the Quick Access menu if your PC’s right-click button is also malfunctioning. Press the Windows key + X button and select Task Manager. Better yet, use the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keyboard shortcut to launch the Task Manager.

2. Locate and select Windows Explorer in the “Windows Processes” section. Afterward, select the Restart button.

That’ll refresh your PC’s desktop, taskbar, and other system processes that rely on Windows Explorer. Press the left-click button and check if it now works.

4. Update, Roll Back or Uninstall Mouse Driver

A corrupt, outdated, or faulty mouse driver could be the reason why left-click is not working on your computer. Updating your mouse driver to the latest version will eliminate bugs and corruption. But if the left-click stopped working after installing a driver update, uninstall the update or remove the driver from your PC.

1. Press the Windows key + X buttons and select Device Manager.

2. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices category, right-click or long-press the mouse driver, and select Properties.

3. Head to the Driver tab and select Update Driver to check your device, the internet, or Windows Updates downloads for new driver versions.

Select Search automatically for drivers on the next page and follow the prompt to update your mouse driver.

4. Select Roll Back Driver (if available) to restore the driver to the previous version. You could also read our guide on rolling back a driver update in Windows for detailed instruction.

Uninstall and reinstall the mouse driver if the “Roll Back Driver” option is greyed out.

5. Select Uninstall Device and select Uninstall on the confirmation prompt to remove the driver from your PC.

Restart your PC afterward. If the driver is pre-installed, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when your PC comes back on.

If you’re using an external mouse, you might need to reinstall the device’s driver manually. Connecting the mouse to your computer should reinstall the device’s driver. You could also download and install the mouse driver from the manufacturer’s website.

5. Replace Missing or Corrupt System Files

Your PC’s left-click may stop working correctly if some crucial system files are missing or corrupt. We recommend running a system check and replacing any missing or corrupt files using the Windows Advanced System Cleanup tools—System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM).

Connect your PC to the internet and follow these steps.

1. Press Windows key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) in the Quick Access Menu.

2. Paste DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth in the Command Prompt terminal and press Enter.

Wait for the tool to scan your PC for corrupt system files. Then, go to the next step when you get a message that reads, “The restore operation completed successfully.” Or when the progress meter reaches 100%.

Note that this might take several minutes, depending on your connection speed and other factors.

3. Next, paste sfc/scannow in the terminal and press Enter.

The command will prompt the System File Checker (SFC) tool to “check” for missing and corrupt system files, and replace them with the copies downloaded by the DISM tool (in Step #2).

4. Close the Command Prompt window and restart your PC when the system scan is done, especially if the Windows Resource Protection found any integrity violations.

6. Restart PC in Safe Mode

Starting Windows in Safe Mode is an effective troubleshooting solution to problems relating to your PC’s software and device drivers.

1. Press the Windows key, type msconfig in the search bar, and select Run as administrator to open the System Configuration app.

2. Head to the Boot tab, check the Safe boot box, select Apply, and select OK.

If you can left-click using your trackpad or external mouse in Safe Mode, the issue is probably caused by a problematic app or malware. In that case, performing a System Restore (see method #7) might fix the problem with left-click not working. But first, boot your PC out of Safe Mode.

Return to the Boot tab of the System Configuration app, uncheck Safe boot, select Apply, select OK.

Select Restart to boot your PC normally.

7. System Restore

Revert your computer to a point where the left-click used to work correctly without any issues. Note that performing a system restore will remove all apps, drivers, and configurations made to your PC after the restore point was created. This will remove malware and fix issues affecting your PC’s left-click.

Note: To revert your PC to a stable point, you need to have previously enabled System Protection or manually created a Restore Point. You also need to create a password reset disk before restoring your PC, especially if you recently changed your PC’s password.

1. Type restore in the Windows Search box and select Create a restore point.

2. Go to the System Protection tab and select System Restore.

3. Windows will recommend the most recent restore point but you should revert to an older restore point that was created before your PC’s left-click stopped working. Select Choose a different restore point and select Next.

4. Select the appropriate restore point and select Next to proceed.

You can select Scan for affected programs to preview the apps, drivers, and updates that will be removed from your PC during the restoration process.

5. Confirm your selection and select Finish to restore your PC.

Restore the Left-Click

Update your PC’s operating system to the latest version if none of these troubleshooting techniques fix the problem. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and install any available Windows update on the page.

If the left-click still isn’t working, check out this tutorial on fixing right-click problems in Windows and try some fixes listed in the article. Contact your PC manufacturer or visit a nearby repair center if all troubleshooting solutions prove abortive.