Mouse click randomly stops working in windows 11

Anonymous

I have an issue, its on my Dell precision 3561, windows 11.

The click function stops working randomly but in a weird way... Im still able to click on text boxes (in teams for example) but I cannot click to change applications, close a window, click and drag etc. The fix to get my mouse to work again is to use CTRL + ALT + DEL which somehow resets the function. Then I am able to use my mouse again normally for a few minutes before it might stop again.

Some days this happens frequently, every few minutes, sometimes the computer will go a few weeks without having the issue. I have tried using a plug in mouse and the same issue persists. ie, I do not believe this is an issue with the mouse itself. It feels more like windows explorer itself needs to be reset?

Its incredibly frustrating when its happening frequently and I'm very keen to find a fix! Is anyone else having the same issue?

Cheers

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Answer accepted by question author

Lester Bernard Reyes 84,815 Independent Advisor

Hi, and thanks for reaching out. My name is Bernard a Windows fan like you. I'll be happy to help you out today.

I understand the issue you have, there is nothing to worry I am here to help, this issue happens due to the miscalibration of system files, in addition, are there any changes before the issue starts? like have you downloaded or installed any apps, that you think may trigger the issue? while waiting for your response, kindly follow the steps below:

Method 1. Clear cache of File Explorer

-Open Run Command ( Press Windows key + R)

-Copy, paste, and enter the file path below:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Recent\AutomaticDestinations

Delete everything inside the AutomaticDestinations folder

-Restart PC and check

Method 2. Do clean boot:

A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program.

In the search box on the taskbar, type msconfig and select System Configuration from the results.
On the Services tab of System Configuration, select Hide all Microsoft services, and then select Disable all.
On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select Open Task Manager.
Under Startup in Task Manager, for each startup item, select the item and then select Disable.
Close Task Manager.
On the Startup tab of System Configuration, select OK. When you restart the computer, it's in a clean boot environment.

Troubleshooting reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-t...

Note: If the issue persists, try to change the mouse just to check, if the issue persists, we may need to roll back mouse driver and or run system repair.

Let me know how it goes and I hope that helps.

Bernard

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92 additional answers

Anonymous

2025-01-05T09:15:33+00:00
I think I've solved my problems.

Regedit the following section

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Remove all, except FileSyncEx, New, Sharing, Workfolders

(I also left some others that seemed reliable, like AgentRansack and TortoiseGit)

After restarting all problems seems to be gone:

mousescrolling in MS OneNote Desktop

clicking the menu in MS Snipping Tool

right clickmenu in MS Explorer
Problems are back again and still growing.

Because the largest problems occurs with MS File Explorer and MS Snipping Tool, I've investigated if there's a good alternative. I've tried Total Commander, Double Commander and FreeCommander.

All of them work great (even much better than MS File Explorer). I've chozen FreeCommander because it's free.

And as bonus FreeCommander has a builtin Snipping Tool, that can even grab popup's (which is impossible with the MS Snipping Tool.

To name a view other features (which yields for all Commanders), dual-panel, multi-tab on each panel, content-preview of over 600 file-types, extendible with plugins.
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Anonymous

2024-12-31T13:24:00+00:00
I think I've solved my problems.

Regedit the following section

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Remove all, except FileSyncEx, New, Sharing, Workfolders

(I also left some others that seemed reliable, like AgentRansack and TortoiseGit)

After restarting all problems seems to be gone:
- mousescrolling in MS OneNote Desktop
- clicking the menu in MS Snipping Tool
- right clickmenu in MS Explorer
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Anonymous

2024-12-30T20:21:41+00:00

Thanks Bernard - method 1 worked for me! :)
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Anonymous

2024-12-29T23:35:38+00:00

Hi All,

I agree with all the post. I gave the laptop to Currys support. They tested all the hardware components and ran tests etc. Everything is clean. no faulty components. :)

They have asked me to record the issue and get back and returned my laptop :)

Anyway mine is touch, I will try what Chris Sakai mentioned.
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