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On a Windows laptop, try tapping the touchpad with two fingers or pressing its lower-right corner. On a Mac, use a two-finger secondary click or hold Control while clicking. If neither works, check that the touchpad and its right-click setting are enabled, then restart and test with an external mouse to narrow down the problem.
Try the right-click gesture for your laptop
| System | Touchpad or mouse action | Where to check the setting |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 or 11 | Tap the touchpad with two fingers, or press down in its lower-right corner. | Windows 11: Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. Windows 10: Start > Settings > Devices > Touchpad. |
| Mac | Use the configured secondary-click gesture; Control-click is an alternative. | System Settings > Trackpad > Secondary click, or System Settings > Mouse > Secondary click. |
Microsoft lists a two-finger tap and a lower-right-corner press as ways to “Show more commands (like right-click).” Some Windows gestures require a Precision Touchpad, so a gesture that is unavailable on one laptop does not necessarily mean its touchpad is broken. See Microsoft’s Windows touch-gesture instructions.
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Surface touchpads
Some Surface touchpads have a distinct right-side click area, and supported models may also respond to a two-finger tap. Touchpad layouts and capabilities vary by device; see Microsoft’s touch-gesture guidance for gesture information.
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Check that the touchpad and right-click option are on
Windows
Open the Touchpad page for your Windows version using the path above and confirm the touchpad is on. If tapping still does not open a context menu, look for the touchpad’s tap or right-click controls. Their exact names and availability can vary with the laptop maker, Windows version, and touchpad hardware. Dell, for example, directs users to expand Taps and enable the right-click features if they are off. Its instructions are specific to Dell computers: Dell touchpad support.
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- Compact Mouse: With a comfortable and contoured shape, this Logitech ambidextrous wireless mouse feels great in either right or left hand and is far superior to a touchpad
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Mac
Open System Settings > Trackpad > Secondary click and choose a gesture you can perform. If you use a mouse, open System Settings > Mouse > Secondary click instead. Apple also documents Control-click as a keyboard-assisted way to open a shortcut menu: Apple’s guide to right-clicking on Mac.
Use an external mouse to narrow down the cause
- Restart the laptop and try the touchpad gesture again.
- Connect a USB or wireless mouse and try right-clicking with it.
- If the external mouse works but the touchpad does not, focus troubleshooting on the built-in touchpad. This result narrows the issue but does not identify whether its cause is a setting, driver, or hardware fault.
An external mouse can serve as a temporary way to use context menus while you troubleshoot; it does not repair the touchpad. If the issue persists, follow the laptop manufacturer’s support and diagnostic instructions. Dell’s model-specific guidance includes checking for driver and BIOS updates, reinstalling a corrupted touchpad driver, and running SupportAssist diagnostics. Those steps should not be treated as universal instructions for other laptop brands; see Dell’s touchpad troubleshooting guide.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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Rank #4
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Rank #3
- 【Pre-Use Notice】① Please check the positive and negative electrodes of the battery are assembled correctly. ② Make sure the power switch is set to "ON". ③ The AA battery are not included.
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Rank #2
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