Windows 8.1 Intermittently Won't Left Click

[mitchellcs]

After finishing a new build, I installed windows 8.1. I have yet to use it and so don't have very much experience so maybe I'm missing something. Every now and again windows won't allow me to click on certain items. They're very specific though (searched items, change account settings, and windows store, origin app) but still allows me to click in desktop mode, google chrome, steam and most other applications.

I'm using a Tt eSports Level 10 mouse and have installed all drivers/firmware. I have also checked and updated windows 8.1 to the latest patches. I'm using an ASUS ROG Hero Mobo and all drivers have been installed and updated.

The problem usually corrects itself if I log out and back in, but this only lasts for a period of time until it finally stops working again.

As a side note I enabled mouse keys on my keyboard and windows still won't allow me to click on those certain items.

Anyone know what the issue could be? Thanks in advance.

 

[Astralv]

Did you activate Windows? Did you install the drivers for the keyboard and mouse? Is it wireless or wired?

 

[mitchellcs]

Yes I've activated, and yes drivers for keyboard and mouse have been installed. The mouse is wired and so is the keyboard. On the occasion that windows won't allow me to left click, I try using mouse keys and windows still won't allow a left click. I can hit tab until the option is selected and hit enter then it works, but for some reason the left click option is broken every now and again.

 

[Astralv]

Is the problem reproducible? Is it the same icons every time? Can you list them?

 

[mitchellcs]

It's not 100% reproducible, however usually after closing out of an origin game such as BF4 it occurs. It sometimes just occurs randomly however. The parts of windows that don't allow for a left click are:

-anything search results (from side panel search)
-PC settings in metro UI
-Microsoft store
-Origin game launcher
-Internet Explorer

It doesn't affect anything in the standard desktop windows UI

 

[Astralv]

Do you have all Java, ActivX, Flash and so on installed? I am trying to figure out what these items have in common. I do not know what caused it. This tool checks for the dependencies (the missing files that prevent opening of the programs). I am not sure if it only works with .dll or .exe as well, but you can try to "Open" IE with it- it should let you know what files are missed. It just something to try while you waiting for solution. http://www.dependencywalker.com

 

[Astralv]

I am also thinking- did you try to change the mouse click speed settings?

 

[ShadowKnight236]

Go to the Metro UI Windows 8 settings then click on pc and devices then mouse and touch pad. After that put the delay to No Delay.
When you play games or type your mouse becomes in active because your using a keyboard. If you set a delay on your mouse, so when you use your keyboard in a game your mouse becomes inactive until the delay is over. Its a new addition for Windows 8.1 aka a bit annoying. After a few months of pursuing this I got their in the end. Hope this helps 😀.

 

[pr0adam]

Hi, I have this problem a lot too and something really stupid that sometimes solves it is to Ctrl+Alt+delete, open up task manager, and then suddenly I can click places again. Not sure if this will help you but maybe it will

 

[Lootieloot]

I have this problem too. Very annoying. My laptop is a lenovo x1, and I'm having this problem for a while now. It wasn't always like this though... I have this problem since May.

ctrl-alt-del is a work-around fix, but not for everything.


Edit: none of the answers above provides a solution!

 

[stevecurran13]

I have this exact same issue! Only started happening recently. Initially thought it was a virus or some malware, but I don't think that is the case now.

When I boot into the desktop, I can left and right click anything in the desktop itself (folders, files, applications, etc.), but I cannot click anything on the taskbar or the Start button. The only solutions as mentioned above, is to ctrl alt delete, enter task manager and it then seems to be fine. Taskbar functionality returns along with pinned applications and Start button.

However, I still have the exact same symptoms as posted above.

The parts of windows that don't allow for a left click are:

-anything search results (from side panel search)
-PC settings in metro UI
-Microsoft store
-Origin game launcher
-Internet Explorer

It doesn't affect anything in the standard desktop windows UI.

Does anyone else have any experience with this since the last update, or possible solutions/fixes?

On a side note, the mouse I'm using is a Mad Catz RAT7. Coincidentally, the taskbar issue is re-producable on my friends Win 7 laptop too, which leads me to believe that this could be an issue with the mouse?

Any help or input is greatly appreciated!

Steve

 

[stevecurran13]

Ok, I figured out that the problem is to do with my Mad Catz RAT 7 mouse. It seems to be causing the issues. Also seen in the following thread:

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/38738-63-computer-malfuntioning-task-unresponsive-mouse-registering

It appears to be an issue predominantly with the RAT mice series, although I'm not sure why. The issue is also not just limited to Windows 8/8.1. I tested it on my friends Windows 7 laptop and bang! Same thing happened - taskbar unresponsive. I'm not even sure how it happened...I didn't drop the mouse or anything! This really annoyed me as I spent about 3 days trying to fix the issue thinking I had a virus or malware - was on the brink of re-installing Windows! :/

Brought my crappy $5 Lenovo mouse home from work to test and it works with no issues. Can click the taskbar on bootup, no issues in the metro PC settings area, can click on things in Windows search. When I plugged this out and the RAT 7 back in...taskbar instantly became unresponsive!!

My advice...stay away from the Mad Catz RAT mice. They clearly have issues with Windows 7 and Windows 8 and this isn't good enough for a mouse that costs nearly $100! Will only be buying Logitech from now on. Never had issues with any of their products.

Steve

 

[Daniel Chrostowski]

try seeing if the taskbar is locked.

 

[reddevil84]

I've also been having this exact same problem, and the solution seems to have been removing my Microsoft wireless 4000 mouse and uninstalling Microsoft mouse and keyboard center. Everything seems to be working as it should now but I do miss my mouse, really don't like touch pads.

 

[fesak]

Try install latest Intel HD graphics driver. https://downloadcenter.intel.com/ . I dont not know why, but it works for me.

 

[Mark Freiermuth]

Thanks! This seems like a no-brainer, but I didn't realize that I had accidentally locked the task bar.

 

[scharme]

I had this problem in addition to quirky malfunctions with my Microsoft keyboard. I ended up replacing the the keyboard and the mouse problem disappeared. I have no idea how they are connected, but something in the interaction between the keyboard and the mouse was the problem. Not sure if will help anyone else, but try a different keyboard and see if the mouse is affected.

 

[obscureGriffin]

I've had the same issue with my Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse combo. I have found that clicking the center wheel and panning up and down, then clicking it again seems to clear whatever condition is causing the left-click to be ignored. Mileage may vary, but it works for me.