Basics

10 reasons why Double-click doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)

Begin by trying the simplest fixes: check the hardware, confirm your double-click settings, and make sure Windows isn’t interpreting clicks as single-clicks. The most common causes are misconfigured mouse/touchpad options, driver or software conflicts, or a failing mouse. In this article you’ll learn practical, step-by-step solutions for the most frequent causes of Double-click doesn’t work in Windows 10, from quick settings changes to driver updates and hardware tests.


Key Takeaway

If double-click fails, first check and reset the Mouse double-click speed and the File Explorer click option; then test with another mouse or port. Most problems are solved by correcting settings, updating or reinstalling drivers, or replacing defective hardware.


Quick Fix Guide

Reason for the Problem Quick Solution
Incorrect File Explorer click settings Enable Double-click to open an item in File Explorer Options.
Double-click speed too high or low Adjust the double-click speed slider in Control Panel > Mouse.
Dirty or failing physical mouse Clean the mouse or test with a different mouse/port.
Faulty USB port or wireless dongle issue Try another USB port or re-pair the wireless receiver.
Outdated or corrupt mouse driver Update or reinstall the mouse driver in Device Manager.
Touchpad gestures or settings interfering Disable touchpad gestures or change settings in Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Background or third-party software conflict Close/disable third-party mouse utilities (Logitech, Razer, etc.) or clean boot Windows.
File Explorer or Windows shell unresponsive Restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.
System file corruption Run sfc /scannow and DISM to repair system files.
Accessibility options like ClickLock or Single-click enabled Disable ClickLock and enable double-click in Ease of Access and Folder Options.
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Detailed Fixes for “tu mets ici le problème du 10 reasons why Double-click doesn’t work in Windows 10 (and how to fix it)”

Below are the detailed explanations and step-by-step fixes for each of the reasons listed in the Quick Fix Guide.

1) File Explorer set to single-click (click behavior)

Why it causes the problem:

  • Windows can be configured to open items with a single click, so a double-click looks like it “does nothing.”

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click View on the ribbon, then choose Options (or Change folder and search options).
  3. In the Folder Options dialog, under Click items as follows, select Double-click to open an item (single-click to select).
  4. Click Apply and OK.
    Notes: This is a very common accidental cause — users who switched settings to mimic web links will see double-clicks appear to fail.

2) Double-click speed set incorrectly

Why it causes the problem:

  • If the double-click speed is too fast or too slow, Windows may not register two clicks as belonging to the same double-click.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Open Control Panel (press Windows + R, type control, Enter).
  2. Go to Hardware and Sound > Mouse (or search “mouse” in Control Panel).
  3. On the Buttons tab, find the Double-click speed slider.
  4. Move the slider toward Slow if your double-clicks are not recognized, then click the folder icon to test.
  5. Click Apply and OK.
    Tip: Use a moderate setting and test by double-clicking the folder icon in the dialog box.

3) Physical mouse hardware problems (switches or dirt)

Why it causes the problem:

  • Mechanical switches under mouse buttons wear out or get dirty, causing missed clicks or spurious clicks.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Try the mouse on another PC to confirm behavior.
  2. If it’s a wired USB mouse, unplug and replug it (try a different USB port).
  3. For mechanical cleaning: disconnect the mouse, open (only if comfortable and not under warranty), and clean around the switches; otherwise, replace the mouse.
  4. For wireless mice, replace batteries and re-pair the device.
    Tip: If the mouse works on another PC, the issue is likely software or port-related on the original machine.

4) USB port or wireless receiver issues

Why it causes the problem:

  • A bad USB port or interference can cause dropped signals or delayed clicks.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Plug the mouse into a different USB port (try both USB 2.0 and 3.0).
  2. For wireless dongles, remove obstacles and place dongle in a front port or use a USB extension.
  3. Re-pair Bluetooth mice via Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices and remove and re-add the device.
    Note: Avoid USB hubs when troubleshooting — connect directly to the PC.

5) Driver issues (outdated or corrupted driver)

Why it causes the problem:

  • Drivers translate hardware signals to Windows. Corrupt or outdated drivers can misinterpret clicks.
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Step-by-step solution:

  1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
  3. Right-click your mouse entry and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
  4. If updating doesn’t help, choose Uninstall device, then unplug and replug the mouse to force Windows to reinstall the driver.
  5. For branded mice, download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s site (Logitech, Microsoft, etc.).
    Tip: Use Roll Back Driver (if available) when the problem began after a recent driver update.

6) Touchpad settings or gestures interfering (laptops)

Why it causes the problem:

  • Touchpads may convert taps to clicks or have gesture settings that interfere with double-clicks.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Open Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
  2. Temporarily disable Tap to click and multi-finger gestures.
  3. If you have OEM touchpad software (Synaptics, ELAN), open that app and reset to defaults.
  4. Test with an external mouse to isolate the issue.
    Note: Some touchpads have a sensitivity slider — reduce sensitivity if accidental touches occur.

7) Third-party software conflicts (mouse utilities)

Why it causes the problem:

  • Utility software (Logitech SetPoint, Razer Synapse, Corsair iCUE) can override Windows behavior or have faulty updates.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Exit those utilities from the system tray and test double-clicking.
  2. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find the utility processes, and End task.
  3. If that fixes it, update or reinstall the utility, or set it to default settings.
  4. For persistent conflicts, perform a clean boot: open msconfig, go to Services, check Hide all Microsoft services, then disable the rest and restart.
    Tip: Clean boot helps identify which non-Microsoft service is causing the problem.

8) Windows Explorer (shell) responsiveness issues

Why it causes the problem:

  • If File Explorer or the Windows Shell is hung or overloaded, UI clicks may not be processed properly.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Find Windows Explorer under Processes, right-click, and choose Restart.
  3. If Explorer frequently hangs, consider clearing File Explorer history: File Explorer > View > Options > Clear.
  4. Check for heavy CPU or disk usage that may cause unresponsiveness.
    Notes: Restarting Explorer is safe and often fixes broken UI interactions.

9) System file corruption or Windows bugs

Why it causes the problem:

  • Corrupted system files can lead to unpredictable input handling.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start > Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).
  2. Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
  3. If issues persist, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth then repeat sfc /scannow.
  4. Reboot and test.
    Tip: These commands repair Windows files; keep the PC online for DISM.
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10) Accessibility features like ClickLock or other settings

Why it causes the problem:

  • Features intended to help users (ClickLock, Sticky Keys) can change how clicks are handled.

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Open Control Panel > Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center or Settings > Ease of Access.
  2. Under mouse settings, ensure ClickLock is unchecked (Control Panel: Mouse > Buttons > Turn on ClickLock).
  3. Verify Make the mouse easier to use options are default.
  4. Turn off features like Filter Keys or other accessibility options if you suspect interference.
    Note: ClickLock holds a click for you — it can make double-clicking behave oddly.

When to Replace Hardware or Seek Advanced Help

  • If the mouse fails on multiple PCs or after driver reinstall, it’s likely a hardware fault — replace the mouse.
  • If the problem occurs only inside a user profile, create a new user to test: Settings > Accounts > Family & other users > Add someone else to this PC.
  • For persistent or system-level problems after all steps, consider restoring to a System Restore point or perform an in-place repair via Windows 10 installation media.
  • If under warranty, contact mouse manufacturer support for RMA options.

FAQ

Will a low mouse battery cause double-click failures?

Yes — weak batteries can produce intermittent signals; replace batteries and re-pair wireless mice to rule this out.

Can malware or a virus affect mouse behavior?

Yes — malicious software can intercept or disrupt input. Run Windows Security > Virus & threat protection and perform a full scan if you suspect infection.

How can I test whether it’s hardware or Windows?

Try the mouse on another computer (hardware test). Or try a different mouse on your PC. Boot into Safe Mode (Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart, press 4) to test without third-party drivers.

What if double-click registers too quickly (accidental double-clicks)?

Lower the double-click speed in Control Panel > Mouse (move slider toward Slow) and check for firmware or driver updates from the mouse manufacturer.

Is there a way to temporarily simulate double-clicks if the mouse is failing?

Yes — you can use the keyboard: select an item and press Enter to open, or create a shortcut and set a hotkey; but replacing the mouse is recommended for long-term use.


Conclusion

Most issues with Double-click doesn’t work in Windows 10 are resolved by checking File Explorer click settings, adjusting the double-click speed, updating drivers, or replacing defective hardware. Work methodically: test hardware, verify settings, update/reinstall drivers, and use the built-in troubleshooting tools to pinpoint the cause.

About the author

Jonathan Dudamel

Jonathan Dudamel

I'm Jonathan Dudamel, an experienced IT specialist and network engineer passionate about all things Windows. I have deep expertise in Microsoft project management, virtualization (VMware ESXi and Hyper-V), and Microsoft’s hybrid platform. I'm also skilled with Microsoft O365, Azure ADDS, and Windows Server environments from 2003 through 2022.

My strengths include Microsoft network infrastructure, VMware platforms, CMMS, ERP systems, and server administration (2016/2022).