Left click button opens drop down menu on M1 Silicon running Sonoma

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Left click button opens drop down menu on M1 Silicon running Sonoma

After a thunderstorm knocked out our power for a few moments, I had to start my Mac Studio back up. The computer is plugged into a surge protector.

Everything worked fine prior to the power outage, but after the re-start, the left-click button on my mouse constantly opens a drop-down menu. I can't click and drag to select anything on the desktop, and working in any program, including browsers, is impossible since all the left-click button does is open a drop-down menu.

I have restarted in Safe Mode and have run First Aid on the hard drive. It revealed no issues.

I have located and deleted all mouse .plist files from the computer and restarted.

I have reset the PRAM twice

I have tried using different mouses, but they all do the same thing.

I am currently using a Macally corded Mac keyboard and a Logitech vertical mouse that has a USB receiver. Both were working fine prior to the power outage.

I have scoured the internet and Mac Support for answers, but nothing has worked. I'm sort of in a bind as this is my work computer and I currently can't do anything with it. I hope somebody has the answer that will get me back up and running.

Thank you.

Mac Studio

Posted on Jun 23, 2024 6:10 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

den.thed

Level 10

81,742 points

Jun 23, 2024 7:23 AM in response to CellarStudio

Check and toggle your "Secondary click" settings. see > Mouse settings on Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 2

CellarStudio Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 23, 2024 9:55 AM in response to den.thed

Thank you. I had tried that as well and it didn't change anything.

I did stumble upon a "fix", I think — but we'll have to see if it sticks.

System Settings ==> Desktop & Dock ==>

Desktop & Stage Manager

Show Items

- - Uncheck On Desktop
Uncheck In Stage Manager

Click wallpaper to reveal desktop ==> Set to Only in Stage Manager

Widgets

Show Widgets

- - Uncheck On Desktop
Uncheck In Stage Manager

Use iPhone Widgets ==> Turn off

Reboot computer

Now my mouse seems to be acting the way it's supposed to.

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Answer 3

CellarStudio Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 23, 2024 9:10 PM in response to den.thed

I have been using third-party keyboards and mice for years. As a graphic designer, I need a two-button mouse and have been using vertical optical mice for quite some time.

I finally figured out what was happening through an unrelated thread. The keyboard I replaced was a bluetooth keyboard and replaced it with a wired one. Even though I disconnected the bluetooth connection to it, it was still picking up on the old keyboard as I hadn't discarded it yet. I selected to forget this device in my bluetooth settings and everything is working as it should. I've also discarded the old keyboard.

I opted to leave this thread intact, despite how stupid I feel, as it might help someone else who just can't figure out why their mouse isn't working properly.

Thanks for your suggestions.

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Answer 4

CellarStudio Author

Level 1

16 points

Jun 23, 2024 2:46 PM in response to den.thed

Actually that fix lasted for five minutes. I think I may have narrowed the problem down to being the keyboard. I had a Macally Mac keyboard die on me recently, and I replaced it with another. Everything worked fine until the power went out.

I'm going to investigate that further.

Thanks.

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