Why does mouse moves cursor, but when I point and click, nothing happens?

[Nena65]

I am not computer literate, so please bear with me. The problem I am having is with the wireless mouse I use with my laptop. I can move the cursor around the screen, but when I point the cursor and click to open something, it is as if there is a disconnect--nothing happens; I have to use the built-in mouse to open something. This problem started today, even though I have had no problem in the past. Thank you!

 

[WyomingKnott]

If it worked in the past, and it works with a wired mouse, the most likely explanation is that your wireless mouse has a busted left button. Does it have a right button? If so, can you see if it still opens the context menus? Also, please include the make and model of the mouse; it always helps if we know what hardware we are talking about.

The first thing that I would try is un-pairing the mouse from the PC and connecting it again. If it came with any driver software, uninstall it and reinstall it. (see, if I knew the make and model I'd know if there are drivers, and if it's bluetooth or comes with a dongle or what). If that fails you could try it with another machine, but as I said I think that it's most likely that the mouse's button is dead. Or so full of dust that it can't click, and in desperate need of a cleaning, but that's less likely.