Mac Mouse Right-click Not Working? Try These 7 Fixes

Clare Phang
Last updated: Jan 28, 2025

:summary:[This guide covers why your Mac mouse right-click is not working and provides several troubleshooting tips. Hope it helps.]

If your Mac mouse right-click is not working, it can be frustrating, especially when you rely on it for daily tasks. Whether you’re using an Apple Magic Mouse or a third-party mouse, the inability to right-click can slow you down. Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This post guide explains why the issue occurs and provides step-by-step fixes to get your right-click working again. Let's get started.

Mac Mouse Right-click Not Working? Try These 7 Fixes

Why Is Right-click on My Mouse Not Working?

There are several reasons why the right-click on your Mac mouse might not work:

  • Unstable mouse connectivity
  • Wrong mouse setting.
  • Outdated software or drivers
  • Hardware issues with the mouse itself
  • Physical damage or dirt accumulation
  • Wireless interference

How to Fix the “Mac Mouse Right-click Not Working” Issue

As mentioned above, various reasons can cause your Mac mouse to stop right-clicking. Follow these troubleshooting steps to get your mouse back to working properly.

Fix 1. Check Your Mouse Settings

Incorrect mouse settings can prevent you from using the right-click function of your Magic Mouse. Here's how to check your mouse settings:

  1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings (or System Preferences in older macOS versions).
  2. Click Mouse in the sidebar.
  3. Under the "Point & Click" section, make sure "Secondary click" is enabled and "Click on the right side" is selected.
Check Mac Mouse Settings

Once done, test your mouse again. If the right-click on your Mac mouse is still not working, try the next fix.

Fix 2. Clean Your Mouse

Physical dirt or grime on your mouse could interfere with the buttons, which prevent the right-click from functioning. Clean your mouse with a soft, lint-free cloth gently, then check if it works properly.

Fix 3. Reconnect or Pair Your Mouse

Connection issues can also cause your Mac mouse to not right-click. Try disconnecting and then reconnecting your mouse.

  • For an Apple Mouse:

    1. Go to System Settings > Bluetooth.
    2. Disconnect your mouse by clicking the (x) next to its name.
    3. Turn the mouse off, then back on, and re-pair it with your Mac.
  • For a USB Mouse:

    1. Unplug the mouse and reconnect it to a different USB port.
    2. If it’s still not working, test the mouse on another computer to rule out hardware failure.

Fix 4. Replace or Recharge the Mouse Battery

If your mouse’s battery is low, it might cause erratic behavior, including issues with right-click not working. In this case, replace or recharge your mouse battery.

Tip
After replacing the battery, my mouse right click works fine

Fix 5. Restart Your Mac

Another method worth trying is restarting your Mac. Most of the time, a simple restart can fix various small glitches in your macOS.

Simply click the Apple menu and select Restart to reboot your Mac.

Fix 6. Update Your macOS

If none of the above steps helps your mouse right-click, try this more advanced method, updating your macOS. Sometimes, bugs in outdated macOS versions might cause the right-click on your mouse to malfunction. To fix this, update your Mac to the latest version. Here's how:

  • On macOS Ventura and Later:

    1. Click the Apple menu and select System Settings.
    2. Click General > Software Update.
    3. If an update is available, click the Update Now or Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update.
    Update macOS 15.3.1
  • On macOS Monterey and Earlier:

    1. Click the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.
    2. If there is an update, click the Update Now or Upgrade Now button to update your Mac.

Fix 7. Reset NVRAM or SMC

NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random-Access Memory) and SMC (System Management Controller) play an important role in managing your Mac's hardware, which can sometimes indirectly affect the performance of your Mac mouse. If you still have not had any luck fixing the Mac mouse right-click not working issue, resetting the NVRAM or SMC on your Mac might be of help.

For detailed steps, refer to How to Reset PRAM, NVRAM, or SMC on Any Mac.

Conclusion

Mac mouse right-click not working is a common problem for Mac users. Following the above methods, your mouse should be able to right-click again. If none of these methods work, the problem may come from a more complex cause, especially if you are using an Apple Magic Mouse. In this case, feel free to contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Clare Phang has been captivated by the world of Apple products since the launch of the iconic iPhone in 2007. With a wealth of experience, Clare is your go-to source for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and all things Apple.