Mouse Side Buttons Not Working? Causes & Fixes

Are your mouse side buttons not working even though the left and right buttons work normally?

The side buttons on a mouse are commonly used for browser Back and Forward, gaming controls, push-to-talk, shortcuts, and custom commands. When they suddenly stop responding, the mouse itself may not necessarily be broken.

The problem can come from button mapping, mouse software, an application, connection issues, drivers, wireless settings, or the physical switch.

The fastest way to troubleshoot the problem is to test the side buttons first and determine whether the computer is receiving their input.

Use the Mouse Button Test to check whether your side-button presses are being detected.

Quick answer: If your mouse side buttons aren’t working, first test whether the buttons are actually being detected. Then check the mouse software and button assignments, test another application, reconnect the mouse, and try it on another computer. If the buttons fail everywhere while other buttons work, a hardware problem becomes more likely.

First: Test Your Mouse Side Buttons

Before changing drivers or reinstalling mouse software, determine whether the side buttons are actually sending input.

Use the Mouse Button Test and test each available button individually.

Button Is Detected

If the side button registers in the test but doesn’t perform the action you expect, the physical input is reaching the browser. Investigate button mapping, software, profiles, or application settings.

Button Is Not Detected

If the button produces no detectable input, investigate the connection, driver, mouse software, wireless configuration, or physical hardware.

Important: A browser-based button test can detect mouse input received by the browser. It cannot directly inspect the physical switch or internal electronics inside your mouse.

For technical background, browser mouse input is exposed through web APIs such as the MouseEvent API documented by MDN Web Docs.

Why Are My Mouse Side Buttons Not Working?

The most common causes include:

Button Mapping

Incorrect button assignment
Back or Forward remapped
Mouse Button 4 or 5 reassigned
Disabled button profile

Software & Applications

Mouse utility profile problems
Application-specific controls
Game keybinding conflicts
Macro or remapping conflicts

Connection Problems

USB connection problems
Faulty USB port
Wireless receiver issues
Bluetooth connection instability

Hardware Problems

Worn button switch
Physical damage
Internal connection failure
Individual side-button failure

The important thing is to identify where the failure occurs before trying random fixes.

1. Check Whether the Side Buttons Work in Another App

This is one of the fastest diagnostic steps.

Try the side buttons in several places:

Your web browser
A text editor
File Explorer
Another application
A game, if that’s where the problem started

If They Work in One Application but Not Another

Your mouse may be working correctly.

The problem could be caused by:

Application-specific key bindings
Browser settings
Game controls
Extensions
Software conflicts
Different button mappings

If They Don’t Work Anywhere

Continue with the hardware, connection, driver, and mouse software checks below.

Diagnostic tip: If the side buttons work in several applications but fail in only one, investigate that application’s settings before assuming the mouse is defective.

2. Test the Side Buttons Directly

Open the Mouse Button Test.

Press each side button individually. Don’t press multiple buttons at the same time.

You want to determine whether:

The Back button registers
The Forward button registers
Both side buttons register
Only one button fails
Neither side button registers

This is more useful than simply assuming the buttons are broken.

3. Check Your Mouse Software

Many gaming and productivity mice use manufacturer software to control additional buttons.

Depending on your mouse, the software may allow you to:

Assign actions
Create profiles
Configure macros
Disable buttons
Change buttons depending on the application
Store settings in mouse memory

If the side buttons stopped working after changing a profile or installing mouse software, check the active profile first.

Look for settings such as:

Common Button Settings

Button Assignment
Side Button
Back / Forward
Mouse Button 4
Mouse Button 5

Advanced Settings

Macro
Profile
Application Profile
Shortcut
Custom Command

Restore the side buttons to a simple default function and test again.

4. Check Whether the Buttons Are Remapped

A side button doesn’t necessarily have to perform Back or Forward.

It can be assigned to:

A keyboard key
A shortcut
A macro
Media control
Push-to-talk
Game action
Application-specific command

If the button was accidentally remapped, it may appear to be broken even though the physical switch is working.

For troubleshooting, temporarily assign the side button to a simple standard action.

Then test it again with the Mouse Button Test.

5. Mouse Side Buttons Not Working in Browser

If the side buttons work in other applications but not in your browser, the mouse may not be the problem.

Try:

Open another website.
Test the side buttons again.
Try another browser.
Temporarily disable recently installed extensions.
Check whether the webpage has focus.
Restart the browser.

If the buttons work in another browser, investigate the original browser’s settings or extensions.

Useful comparison: If the side buttons work correctly in another browser or application, the mouse hardware is less likely to be the cause.

6. Mouse Side Buttons Not Working in Games

Gaming mice often have programmable side buttons, so game-specific problems are common.

If the buttons work in your browser but not in a game, check the game’s controls.

Look for:

Mouse Button 4
Mouse Button 5
Back
Forward
Custom key bindings
Macro settings

Make sure another action hasn’t been assigned to the same button.

Try Resetting the Game’s Controls

If you recently changed keybindings, restore the default mouse controls and test the side buttons again.

If the buttons work outside the game, don’t immediately assume that the mouse hardware has failed.

Mouse Button Test Check whether Mouse Button 4 and Mouse Button 5 input is reaching the browser. Mouse Polling Rate Test Check mouse report frequency when investigating broader gaming input behavior.

7. Reconnect the Mouse

A connection problem can sometimes affect individual inputs.

For a Wired Mouse

Disconnect the USB cable.
Wait a few seconds.
Connect it again.
Try another USB port.
Run the button test again.

Avoid using a problematic USB hub while troubleshooting if you can connect the mouse directly to the computer.

For a Wireless Mouse

Turn the mouse off.
Turn it back on.
Reconnect the receiver if applicable.
Check the battery.
Re-pair the mouse if necessary.
Test the side buttons again.

8. Check the Battery on a Wireless Mouse

If you’re using a wireless mouse, low power can cause unstable behavior.

Check whether:

The mouse is showing a low-battery warning.
The cursor is lagging.
Buttons occasionally fail.
The connection drops.
The problem started after extended use.

Recharge or replace the battery and test the buttons again.

9. Check Mouse Drivers

If the side buttons stopped working after a system change, driver or device configuration issues are worth checking.

Use your operating system’s device management tools to inspect the mouse.

Depending on your system, you may be able to:

Update the device
Remove the device
Restart the computer
Let the operating system detect it again

After making changes, run the Mouse Button Test again.

Important: Avoid installing unknown third-party driver utilities just because a mouse button isn’t responding. Use your operating system or the mouse manufacturer’s official software where appropriate. For Windows troubleshooting, Microsoft’s official Windows Support resources are a safer starting point.

10. Check for Conflicting Mouse Software

More than one program can sometimes try to control the same mouse.

For example, you may have:

Manufacturer mouse software
Gaming software
Macro software
Button-remapping utilities
Other input-management programs

If the side buttons suddenly stopped working after installing or changing software, temporarily close unnecessary mouse or remapping utilities and test again.

If the buttons start working, you’ve identified a software conflict rather than a dead mouse.

11. Test the Mouse on Another Computer

This is one of the strongest troubleshooting methods.

Connect your mouse to another computer and test the side buttons.

Side Buttons Work on Another Computer

The problem is more likely related to the original computer’s software, drivers, settings, applications, or mouse profiles.

Side Buttons Fail on Another Computer

The mouse itself becomes a stronger suspect, especially if the same physical button repeatedly fails.

This is especially useful when the left and right buttons continue working but one or both side buttons consistently fail.

Why Does Only One Mouse Side Button Work?

If one side button works and the other doesn’t, several possibilities exist.

The working button proves that the mouse can communicate normally, but it doesn’t automatically prove that the failed switch is defective.

Check:

Button mapping
Mouse profile
Application settings
Game controls
Driver/software configuration
Physical condition of the button

Then test the mouse on another computer.

If the same physical button fails everywhere, hardware becomes increasingly likely.

Mouse Back Button Not Working

The mouse Back button is commonly used to navigate to the previous webpage.

If it doesn’t work:

Test it with the Mouse Button Test.
Try another browser.
Check mouse software.
Reset the button assignment.
Test another application.
Try the mouse on another computer.

If the button registers in the test but doesn’t navigate backward, the physical button may be fine and the problem may be related to the assigned action or application.

Mouse Forward Button Not Working

The Forward button works similarly but is used to move forward through browser history.

If it isn’t working:

Test the button directly.
Check its assigned action.
Try another browser.
Check mouse software profiles.
Test another computer.

If the button is detected but doesn’t perform Forward, investigate the mapping before replacing the mouse.

Mouse Side Buttons Work but Do the Wrong Thing

This is usually different from a completely dead button.

For example, pressing a side button might:

Type a keyboard command
Activate a macro
Do nothing
Perform an unexpected action
Work differently in different applications

This strongly suggests that the physical input may be reaching the computer but the button assignment isn’t what you expect.

Open your mouse software and restore the side buttons to their default functions.

Key distinction: If the button is detected by a browser test but performs the wrong action elsewhere, investigate the mapping before assuming the physical switch has failed.

Mouse Side Buttons Not Working After a Software Update

If the problem started immediately after updating mouse software, check the profile and button assignments first.

Software updates can sometimes reset configurations or switch the active profile.

Open the mouse software.
Select the correct mouse.
Check the active profile.
Check Button 4 and Button 5 assignments.
Restore default assignments.
Test the buttons again.

Are My Mouse Side Buttons Broken?

Not necessarily.

Use this comparison to narrow down the likely cause:

Test Result	More Likely Cause
Button doesn’t register anywhere	Hardware, connection, device, or configuration issue
Button registers but performs wrong action	Mapping or software issue
Works in browser but not game	Game configuration
Works in one browser but not another	Browser or software issue
Works on another computer	Original computer configuration
Fails on multiple computers	Mouse hardware becomes more likely
Only one side button fails	Individual button, switch, or mapping issue

The most important question is whether the button is actually being detected.

How to Fix Mouse Side Buttons That Stop Working

For the fastest troubleshooting sequence, follow this order:

Test the buttons
Use the Mouse Button Test to see whether the side-button input is detected.
Try another application
Determine whether the problem is system-wide or application-specific.
Check button assignments
Restore the side buttons to their normal functions.
Reconnect the mouse
Try another USB port or reconnect the wireless device.
Check mouse software
Look for profiles, macros, and remapping conflicts.
Check drivers
Update or reinstall the mouse device if appropriate.
Test another computer
This helps separate computer problems from mouse hardware problems.
Consider hardware failure
If the same side button fails everywhere, the physical mouse may need repair or replacement.

Mouse Side Buttons vs Mouse Button Test

These two pages have different search intents, so they should remain separate.

Mouse Button Test

Intent: “I want to test my mouse buttons.”

The tool provides the interactive browser-based button test.

Mouse Side Buttons Not Working

Intent: “My side buttons aren’t working. I need to understand why and fix them.”

This article explains diagnosis and troubleshooting.

The ideal user journey is:

Problem → Explanation → Test → Diagnosis → Fix

This keeps the troubleshooting article focused on the problem while the Mouse Button Test satisfies the separate testing intent.

What If My Mouse Buttons and Scroll Wheel Are Both Not Working?

If multiple inputs are failing at the same time, don’t troubleshoot each button individually immediately.

Start with:

Mouse connection
Battery if wireless
USB port
Mouse recognition
Driver/device settings
Mouse software
Another computer

You can also use the Mouse Diagnostic Test as the broader starting point when several mouse functions are behaving strangely.

Diagnostic tip: When multiple mouse inputs fail together, investigate the connection, device recognition, software, and computer before assuming several physical switches have failed simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my mouse side buttons not working?

Mouse side buttons can stop working because of incorrect mappings, software profiles, application settings, connection problems, drivers, low battery, or physical hardware failure. Test the buttons first to determine whether input is being detected.

How do I test my mouse side buttons?

Use the Mouse Button Test and press each side button individually. If the button registers, the physical input is reaching the browser.

Why does my mouse side button work in one app but not another?

The application may have different controls, keybindings, or software conflicts. Test the same button in another application to determine whether the problem is application-specific.

Why are my mouse side buttons not working in games?

Check the game’s keybindings and make sure Mouse Button 4 and Mouse Button 5 are assigned correctly. Also check your mouse software profile and macros.

Why is my mouse Back button not working?

The Back button may be incorrectly mapped, disabled by mouse software, affected by an application or browser issue, or physically faulty. Test it first and then check its assigned action.

Why is my mouse Forward button not working?

Test the Forward button, then check its button assignment, browser behavior, mouse software, and connection. If it fails on multiple computers, hardware becomes more likely.

Can I fix a mouse side button that isn’t working?

Yes, many side-button problems are caused by software, mappings, profiles, or connections and can be fixed without replacing the mouse. If the button consistently fails on multiple computers, hardware may be responsible.

How do I know if my mouse side button is broken?

Test the button in multiple applications and on another computer. If the same physical button consistently fails to register while the other buttons work, a hardware problem becomes more likely.

Continue Your Mouse Diagnosis

If you’re troubleshooting another mouse problem, use the tool that matches the symptom:

Mouse Button Test Test individual mouse buttons and check whether side-button input is detected. Mouse Diagnostic Test Start a broader mouse diagnosis when multiple inputs are behaving strangely. Mouse Movement Test Check cursor movement and tracking. Scroll Wheel Test Test mouse wheel input. Double Click Test Investigate unwanted double-click input. Right Click Test Test right-button input. Click Speed Test Measure clicking speed and CPS. Mouse Polling Rate Test Check mouse report frequency.

Final Answer

If your mouse side buttons are not working while the main buttons still work, don’t immediately assume the mouse is broken.

Start with the Mouse Button Test, then check button assignments, mouse software profiles, application settings, the connection, and the wireless battery if applicable.

The most useful hardware comparison is to test the same mouse on another computer and compare it with another mouse on the original computer.

Best next step: Run the Mouse Button Test. If the same side button consistently fails to register across different applications and computers, the physical button or internal switch becomes a much stronger suspect.

About This Guide

This guide is part of the MouseDiag browser-based mouse diagnostic resources. The tools focus on mouse input events that a browser can observe. They do not directly inspect internal mouse electronics and should not be treated as a replacement for manufacturer hardware diagnostics.

For technical information about browser mouse input events, see MDN Web Docs: MouseEvent.