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Outdated or corrupt mouse driver | Update or reinstall the mouse driver in Device Manager.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. |
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:
- Open File Explorer.
- Click View on the ribbon, then choose Options (or Change folder and search options).
- In the Folder Options dialog, under Click items as follows, select Double-click to open an item (single-click to select).
- 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:
- Open Control Panel (press Windows + R, type control, Enter).
- Go to Hardware and Sound > Mouse (or search “mouse” in Control Panel).
- On the Buttons tab, find the Double-click speed slider.
- Move the slider toward Slow if your double-clicks are not recognized, then click the folder icon to test.
- 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:
- Try the mouse on another PC to confirm behavior.
- If it’s a wired USB mouse, unplug and replug it (try a different USB port).
- For mechanical cleaning: disconnect the mouse, open (only if comfortable and not under warranty), and clean around the switches; otherwise, replace the mouse.
- 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:
- Plug the mouse into a different USB port (try both USB 2.0 and 3.0).
- For wireless dongles, remove obstacles and place dongle in a front port or use a USB extension.
- 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.
Step-by-step solution:
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
- Right-click your mouse entry and choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- If updating doesn’t help, choose Uninstall device, then unplug and replug the mouse to force Windows to reinstall the driver.
- 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:
- Open Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
- Temporarily disable Tap to click and multi-finger gestures.
- If you have OEM touchpad software (Synaptics, ELAN), open that app and reset to defaults.
- 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:
- Exit those utilities from the system tray and test double-clicking.
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), find the utility processes, and End task.
- If that fixes it, update or reinstall the utility, or set it to default settings.
- 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:
- Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find Windows Explorer under Processes, right-click, and choose Restart.
- If Explorer frequently hangs, consider clearing File Explorer history: File Explorer > View > Options > Clear.
- 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:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start > Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin)).
- Run: sfc /scannow and wait for completion.
- If issues persist, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth then repeat sfc /scannow.
- Reboot and test.
Tip: These commands repair Windows files; keep the PC online for DISM.
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:
- Open Control Panel > Ease of Access > Ease of Access Center or Settings > Ease of Access.
- Under mouse settings, ensure ClickLock is unchecked (Control Panel: Mouse > Buttons > Turn on ClickLock).
- Verify Make the mouse easier to use options are default.
- 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.