How to Fix the Middle Mouse Button Not Working

Is the middle mouse button not working, making simple tasks, such as opening links in a new tab, closing tabs, or panning in 3D applications, difficult? Then, you are not alone, as many users have reported similar problems, and we are here to help. 

In this article, we help you fix the mouse wheel click not working with quick, easy, and effective solutions, including applying the hardware troubleshooting utility, updating the mouse driver, reinstalling the mouse driver, performing a virus scan, and updating the mouse software. 

Before proceeding with these fixes, it is on point to answer the burning question: “Why is my middle mouse button not working?” to ensure better troubleshooting. 

Why Is the Middle Mouse Button Not Working

The mouse middle click not working issue may arise from multiple factors, such as dirt or a broken switch, an outdated mouse driver, or incorrect settings in your mouse-specific software. Let’s discuss all these reasons for a dysfunctional middle mouse button. 

• Your mouse driver may be outdated or corrupt, needing an update or reinstallation.
• The middle button may be disabled or assigned another function within your mouse’s proprietary software.
• Third-party gaming software or applications may be interfering with the functionality of the middle mouse button.
• There may be hardware issues with your mouse, such as dirt and debris, a worn or broken internal switch, and a loose or faulty USB connection.

After helping you get familiar with the causes of the mouse middle click not working issue, let’s help you fix it. 

Fixes for the Middle Mouse Button Not Working (100% Effective)

You can fix the mouse wheel click not working issue simply by performing a few basic hardware checks, running the hardware troubleshooter, updating the mouse driver, reinstalling the mouse driver, and applying the various other solutions below. However, you need not apply them all. You can begin with the first fix and stop when your mouse middle click starts working. 

Fix 1: Check the mouse for hardware issues

Before moving to the more complex troubleshooting, it is wise to check the physical hardware of your mouse. You can follow the steps below to do so. 

• Plug your mouse into another PC and see if the middle button works. If it works on the other computer, the problem may be with your PC. However, if the button does not work on another computer, you may need to replace the mouse with a new one.
• If there happens to be an issue with the physical mouse, you can dismantle the mouse and clean it using a Q-tip to remove the dust and debris that may be a reason your middle mouse button has stopped working.

Also know: HAVIT Mouse Driver/Software Download for Windows

Fix 2: Apply the hardware troubleshooter

Windows offers a built-in troubleshooting utility to help you fix common problems, including the mouse middle click not working. You can follow the directions below to use this utility to solve the problem. 

• First, click on the Windows icon, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click on the first search result to open the Control Panel.
• Once the Control Panel window appears, choose Category from the View By menu.
• Next, click Hardware and Sound to open it.
• In this step, click Devices and Printers.
• Now, locate and right-click on your mouse and then choose Troubleshoot from the on-screen menu.

• Lastly, apply the suggested fixes and restart your computer.

Fix 3: Update the mouse driver

A mouse driver is the translator that helps your system communicate with the mouse. It translates your commands into the lower-level language of your mouse and its response to the higher-level binary language of your system for the perfect execution of your instructions. An outdated driver may cause multiple issues, the middle mouse button not working being one of them. Hence, below is how to update your mouse driver. 

• In the first step, right-click the Windows icon and choose Device Manager from the quick access menu that appears.
• Next, double-click Mice and other pointing devices in the Device Manager.
• In this step, right-click your mouse and choose Update Driver from the on-screen options.

• Now, choose the option that allows your system to search automatically for drivers.
• In this step, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the download and installation of the up-to-date mouse driver.
• Lastly, restart your computer to complete the mouse driver update process.

Fix 4: Reinstall the mouse driver

Have you started experiencing the mouse middle click not working issue after updating the mouse driver? Then, an incompatible or incorrectly installed driver may be responsible for the mouse problems. Hence, here is how to reinstall your mouse driver to fix the issue. 

• Begin by right-clicking the Windows icon and choosing Device Manager from the on-screen menu.
• Once the Device Manager opens, double-click on the Mice and other pointing devices category.
• Next, right-click your mouse and choose Uninstall Device from the on-screen menu.

• In this step, check the Delete the driver software for this device box and click Uninstall/OK.
• Back in the Device Manager, click on the Action tab and Scan for hardware changes.
• Lastly, restart your computer to complete the mouse driver reinstallation.

Fix 5: Check the registry settings

Improperly configured registry settings may be another reason your middle mouse click is not working. Hence, you can follow these steps to change your registry settings. 

• First, click on the Windows icon on the taskbar and type registry in the on-screen search bar.
• Next, choose Registry Editor from the search results.
• Click Yes if a prompt appears asking for permission to make changes to your PC.
• Once the Registry Editor opens, click HKEY_CURRENT_USER in the left panel.
• In this step, click on the Desktop option.
• Now, locate the WheelScrollLines option in the right pane of the Registry Editor.
• Next, left-click WheelScrollLines and choose Modify… from the on-screen options.
• Lastly, change the Value data to 3, click OK, exit the Registry Editor, and restart your computer.

Also know: How to Turn Off or Disable Mouse Acceleration in Windows PC

Fix 6: Scan your computer for viruses

Mouse issues, such as the mouse wheel click not working, can be one of the many problems caused by a virus attack on your computer. Hence, you can use one of the best antivirus software programs for Windows to scan your computer and solve the problem. 

Fix 7: Update the mouse software

Mid-to-high-end mice generally have their own settings and software applications. If the middle mouse button is disabled in these settings or designated for other tasks, the middle click may not work. Hence, navigate to the software settings of your mouse, choose your preferred function, and then save the changes to solve the problem. 

Fix 8: Uninstall the conflicting software

If your mouse’s middle click is acting up after installing software or an application, such as a gaming application, that app may be interfering with your mouse’s functionality. Hence, you can uninstall that application by following the steps below to fix the issue. 

• First, right-click the Windows icon and choose Apps and Features from the on-screen menu.

• Next, find the recently installed application and click on it.
• In this step, click on the Uninstall button.
• Now, confirm the uninstallation.
• After the application is uninstalled, restart your computer.

Middle Mouse Button Not Working Issue Fixed

That is all for the quick, easy, and effective tutorial to fix the mouse wheel click not working issue. You can apply the above fixes sequentially until the problem is solved. However, if you find yourself stuck at any step, the problem somehow remains unresolved, you have any confusion, or you have any suggestions or feedback about this article, please contact us through the comments section. 

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