- The middle mouse button helps you scroll through long web pages and screens with lots of data.
- When it stops working, you have to use the keyboard to scroll the page.
- A missing or outdated mouse driver can cause the mouse button not to work.
- Incorrect mouse settings in your computer’s registry editor can also cause the button to malfunction.
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A middle mouse button can be used in a variety of different ways. In addition to scrolling, the middle mouse button can also be used to open a new window or to perform a number of other tasks. It can be frustrating to have your middle mouse button stop working.
It has been reported that middle click refusing to work mostly occurs when opening a new tab with the mouse middle button. Windows 10/11 may have a mouse wheel issue or middle mouse click may not respond.
It is very annoying to have to use the keyboard to scroll through long web pages and screens with a lot of data when the middle mouse button stops working. Here are some tips for troubleshooting Windows 11/10 that don’t work when the middle mouse button doesn’t work.
What is the cause of the ‘Middle mouse button not working’?
- If the middle mouse button does not work, it may be the result of an outdated or missing mouse driver.
- The cause of the middle mouse button not working may be a hardware problem with the mouse.
- Middle mouse button malfunctions can also be caused by incorrect mouse settings in the registry editor on your computer.
How to solve the “Middle mouse button that doesn’t work” problem?
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Middle Mouse Button Not Working
Troubleshooting can be found in the Control Panel.
Perform hardware troubleshooting
- You can find Control Panel by typing it into the search bar and clicking it.
- Troubleshoot can be accessed by selecting Browse by: Large icons.
- Sound and Hardware should be selected.
- Click Next once you have selected Hardware and Peripherals.
- Complete the troubleshooting by following the steps on the screen.
- Your computer needs to be restarted.
Change the registry settings
- The Run field will appear when you press Win + R.
- Using Regedit, choose Yes from the menu, then press OK.
- The Control Panel can be found under Computer/HKEY_CURRENT_USER/.
- Ensure that WheelScrollLines is found in the right pane and click it twice.
- You can change the value to 3 by clicking OK.
- Your computer needs to be restarted.
Update the mouse driver
- The Device Manager can be accessed by pressing Win + X.
- Select Update Drivers from the mouse and other pointing devices list.
- The mouse driver update will be completed automatically if you select Automatically check for updated drivers.
- Check if the problem persists after restarting your computer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I fix an unresponsive middle mouse button?
- Follow the hardware troubleshooting procedure.
- Update your mouse drivers.
- Install the OEM mouse drivers.
- Change registry settings.
- Run a Windows security/antivirus program.
How do I activate the middle mouse button?
Many mice and some touchpads have a center mouse button. If you have a mouse with a scroll wheel, you can usually click directly on the wheel to perform a center click. If you don't have a center button, you can press the left and right mouse buttons simultaneously to click in the center.
How do I enable the middle mouse button in Windows 10?
Go to Settings > Devices > Touchpad. Scroll down and find the "Three Finger Gestures" section. Click on the "Touch" field and select "Middle mouse button". This gesture is set by default to open Cortana in Windows 10.
Middle Click
The middle-click feature in the file manager serves two roles. If you direct your middle-click to a folder, it will open in a new tab. This mimics the behaviour of popular web browsers. If you direct your middle-click to a file, it will open the file, just as if you had double-clicked it.
The SetPoint extension can help you get scrolling to work properly in Chrome and Firefox if you have a Logitech mouse that doesn’t work in the browser. You may be able to solve your problem by disabling all your browser extensions if not.
Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.
