Many users have been facing problems using their mouse on Windows-based systems. Some have claimed that the middle click function of their mouse doesn’t work while watching YouTube videos.
So, if YouTube is your go-to site for watching videos and you are frustrated due to the inability to use the middle click function of your mouse, here’s what you can do to fix the middle mouse button not working on YouTube. Let’s get started.
1. Restart the Web Browser
Be it Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser, you should restart the web browser if the middle mouse button works on other sites but not YouTube.
The middle mouse button not working on YouTube is usually a sign of a bug or glitch, which a simple browser restart will fix.
Close the web browser and open it again. Once opened, visit YouTube.com and test the middle mouse button again.
2. Restart your computer
If restarting the web browser doesn’t help, you can try restarting your computer. This may remove all bugs and glitches that may be interfering with your mouse’s middle-click function.
So, before you try the next troubleshooting tips, it’s best to restart your Windows computer. Click the Windows Start button and then the Power menu. From the Power menu options, select Restart.
After the restart, visit YouTube.com and check whether the middle mouse button works.
3. Check Whether the Middle Mouse Button is Working
If the middle mouse button still doesn’t function, it’s important to confirm whether your mouse is properly working. To get started, check for hardware problems and physical defects.
If everything is fine, check the wire that connects the mouse to your PC. You can connect any spare mouse to your computer and check whether the middle click works.
Alternatively, you can connect the problematic mouse to any other computer and check if it works. If the mouse also doesn’t work on other computers, you will have to replace your mouse. The ultimate goal is to confirm that the issue isn’t with your mouse.
4. Run the Hardware & Devices Troubleshooter
Many users on the Microsoft Store have claimed to fix middle mouse button not working on the YouTube issue just by running the hardware troubleshooter. Hence, you can try doing that as well. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type in PowerShell on the Windows Search. Next, right-click on the PowerShell utility and select Run as administrator.
2. When the PowerShell utility opens, execute this command:
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
3. This will launch the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. Click on Next.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the hardware troubleshooting process.
5. Update the Mouse Drivers
Outdated mouse drivers are another prominent reason the mouse middle click is not working on the YouTube issue. In this method, you must update the mouse drivers on Windows via Device Manager. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type in Device Manager on the Windows Search. Next, open the Device Manager app on the list.
2. When the Device Manager opens, expand the Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Right-click on your connected mouse and select Update driver.
4. On the prompt that appears, select Search Automatically for drivers.
6. Reinstall the Mouse
If updating the mouse drivers didn’t work, you can try reinstalling the mouse from the Device Manager. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Type in Device Manager on the Windows Search. Next, open the Device Manager app on the list.
2. When the Device Manager opens, expand the Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Right-click on your connected mouse and select Uninstall device.
4. On the Uninstall Device prompt, select Uninstall.
7. Update your Web Browser
Another prominent reason that triggers the middle click not working on YouTube is compatibility problems. If your browser isn’t compatible with the middle click functions, you will face such problems.
While modern web browsers like Chrome and Edge support middle-click functions out of the box, updating the web browser to the latest version is still recommended.
Keeping the browser up-to-date provides important security patches and new features. If you are using Google Chrome, go to Settings > About Chrome to update it.
8. Disable the Browser Extensions
If the middle mouse button is not working only on YouTube, you must cross-check all extensions installed on your browser.
There are chances that certain extensions are preventing the middle mouse button from functioning properly.
So, open your web browser’s Extension Manager and disable all extensions one by one. Once disabled, try reaccessing YouTube; the middle-click functions should work now.
9. Clear Browser Cache And Cookies
If the middle mouse button still doesn’t work after following all the methods mentioned above, it’s time to clear the browser cache and cookies.
If you use Google Chrome and feel the browser has specific issues, you can try clearing the cache & cookies. Here’s what you need to do.
1. Click on the three dots at the top-right corner. On the menu that appears, select Settings.
2. On the Settings page, click on Privacy and Security.
3. On the right side, click on Clear browsing data.
4. On the Clear browsing data prompt, select All Time on Time range, check the Cookies and other side data, Cached images and files. Once done, click on Clear data.
This guide is about fixing the middle mouse button not working on the YouTube issue. Let us know if you need more help fixing this problem on your computer. Also, if this article helped you fix the problem, share it with your friends.
