While using your computer, you may experience the issue in which the mouse right-click does not work. It is one of the most common issues that users experience on their Windows 11 or Windows 10 computers. Though this problem may occur due to a hardware fault, some software issues are also responsible for it. In this article, we will provide some working solutions that will definitely help you fix the “Mouse right-click not working issue on your Windows PC” issue.
Mouse Right-click is not Working on Windows PC
When you experience this problem, the first thing that you should do is check your mouse on another computer (if available). If the computer is not available, you can check your mouse on your friend’s computer. This will let you know whether the issue is associated with the hardware or the software. We also recommend you clean your mouse. Sometimes, dirt and dust accumulate inside an electronic device causing it to fail. If you are a wireless mouse user, you should check your mouse’s batteries.
Let’s start our discussion on how to fix the mouse right-click not working issue on a Windows PC.
Solution 1: Restart Windows Explorer
To fix this problem, we suggest you restart Windows Explorer. Follow the instructions if you do not know how to restart Windows Explorer on a Windows computer:
Step 1: Press the Win + R keys to launch the Run command box. Now, type taskmgr and click OK.
Step 2: In the Task Manager, make sure that you have selected the Processes tab. Scroll down the list of programs to locate Windows Explorer.
Step 3: Once you find Windows Explorer, select it and click on the Restart button on the bottom right side.
After restarting the Windows Explorer, see if the issue persists. If yes, move ahead towards the next solution.
Solution 2: Update or Reinstall your Mouse Driver
The problem may also be associated with the mouse driver. If your mouse driver is outdated or corrupted, your mouse will not work properly. Therefore, in the second fix, we suggest you update or reinstall your mouse driver. The procedure for the same is listed below:
How to Update Mouse Driver
Follow the instructions listed below:
Step 1: Right-click on the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
Step 2: Now, in the Device Manager, double-click on the Mice and other pointing devices node to expand it.
Step 3: Now, select your mouse driver and right-click on it.
Step 4: Click on the Update driver option. After that, Windows will show you two options.
Step 5: Click on the Search automatically for drivers option. After that, Windows will search for the latest version of your mouse driver and install it on your system.
Step 6: After updating your mouse driver, check the status of the issue. If the issue is not fixed, consider reinstalling the mouse driver.
How to Reinstall Mouse Driver
Follow the steps below:
Step 1: Launch the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start Menu.
Step 2: Expand the Mouse and other pointing devices node.
Step 3: Right-click on your mouse driver and select the Uninstall device option.
Step 4: After uninstalling your mouse driver, restart your computer. On the restart, Windows will scan for hardware changes and install the latest mouse driver on your computer.
Solution 3: Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
You can also try running the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter and see if it helps. Previously, the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter tool was available in the Windows Settings. But later on, Microsoft removed it from the Settings app. But, you can still run this troubleshooter.
To run the Hardware and Troubleshooter on your computer, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Click on the Windows Search and type cmd.
Step 2: Click on the Command Prompt app from the results.
Step 3: When the Command Prompt is launched, type the following command in it and hit Enter. This will launch the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter.
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Step 4: In the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter, click on the Advanced option (available on the bottom left side) and check whether or not the Apply repairs automatically is selected. If not, select it.
Step 5: Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions.
After the troubleshooting gets completed, check the status of the issue.
Solution 4: Run SFC and DISM Scans
You might be facing this issue because of the corruption in Windows System Image files. Such types of problems can be fixed by running the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools. Both of these tools are used to repair the corrupted Windows System Image files.
It is always recommended to run the SFC scan first. If the SFC tool fails to repair the Windows System Image files, you can run the DISM scan.
SFC Scan
To run the SFC scan on your system, follow the steps given below:
Step 1: Click on the Windows Search and type cmd.
Step 2: Select Run as Administrator. This option will be available on the right side in the Windows Search. The same option can also be selected by right-clicking on the Command Prompt, but you cannot do this as the right-click is not working on your computer.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.
sfc /scannow
You have to wait till the scan gets completed. It is recommended not to interrupt the scanning process, as it may cause further errors on your system.
After the scanning is complete, restart your computer and see if the issue still exists or not. If yes, we suggest you run the DISM scan.
DISM Scan
The following instructions will guide you on how to run a DISM scan. We have described the process to run the DISM scan below.
Step 1: Click on the Windows Search and type cmd.
Step 2: Select the Run as Administrator option available on the right side of the Windows Search.
Step 3: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter.
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After the completion of the DISM scan, restart your computer and check if the mouse right-click is working or not.
Solution 5: Check and Disable the Remove File Explorer’s Default Context Menu Setting in Group Policy Editor
Your mouse-right click will not work if the Remove File Explorer’s Default Context Menu setting is enabled in the Group Policy Editor. Hence, you should check this setting. Windows 11 Home and Windows 10 Home users can skip this solution because the Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10/11 Home edition. Follow the instructions below:
Step 1: Press Win + R keys to launch the Run Command Box.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc and click OK.
Step 3: In the Group Policy Editor, go to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
Step 4: Scroll down the right side and find a setting, named Remove File Explorer’s default context menu. Once you find this setting, double-click on it and select Disabled.
Step 5: Click Apply and then OK to save the settings.
Step 6: Restart your computer.
Solution 6: Rename the PdiShellExt.dll file (for HP computer users)
Some users have reported that the issue was fixed after they renamed the PdiShellExt.dll file on their computers. You can also try this trick and see if it brings any changes.
The following steps will help you on how to rename the PdiShellExt.dll file. Do note that this solution is only for HP computer users.
Step 1: Launch the File Explorer.
Step 2: Click on the address bar and type the following path and press Enter. Or you can go to the following path manually.
C:\Program Files\Portrait Displays\HP Display Control
Step 3: Check if a file named PdiShellExt.dll is available there. If yes, rename it to PdiShellExt.old.
Restart your computer and check the status of the issue.
Solution 7: Delete some files in Registry Editor
Delete some files in the Registry Editor and see if it works or not. We have listed the steps for the same below. Before you proceed, it is recommended to create a system restore point.
Step 1: Press the Win + R keys to launch the Run command box.
Step 2: Type regedit and click OK. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Step 3: Copy the following path. After that, click on the address bar of the Registry Editor and paste the copied path into it. Press Enter when done.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
Step 4: Select the subfolders one by one under the ContextMenuHandlers folder and delete all the entries on the right side. You have to delete the entries of all the subfolders except the New and WorkFolders.
Step 5: Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
The issue should be fixed this time.
Related post: How to Fix Mouse Moving by Itself Issue on a Windows PC.
