Double-click not registering on your Mac, or opening things too easily

Why it happens

Your Mac decides whether two clicks are a double-click by how close together they are. If the allowed gap is short, a relaxed double-click counts as two single clicks and nothing opens. If it's long, two separate clicks can count as one double-click. The slider sets that gap for every mouse and trackpad.

How to fix it

1. Choose Apple menu > System Settings, scroll down the sidebar and click Accessibility.

2. Click Pointer Control and find Double-click speed. Drag it left, towards slow, to give yourself more time between the two clicks. Drag it right if a click, a pause and another click keeps opening things.

   Accessibility›Pointer Control›Double-click speed

3. Try it on a folder in Finder or on your desktop. Double-click at your usual pace and adjust the slider a notch at a time until it feels right.

Still not fixed?

1. If you'd rather not double-click at all, select the item and press Command-Down Arrow to open it. In Finder that opens files and folders just like a double-click.

2. On a trackpad, a light tap may be easier than pressing down. Turn on Tap to click in Trackpad settings, then tap twice to double-click.

   Trackpad›Point & Click›Tap to click

3. If the pointer jumps when you click, slowing it down can help your clicks land in the same spot. With your mouse connected, open Mouse settings and drag Tracking speed.

   Mouse›Tracking speed

4. For a wireless mouse, charge it or change its batteries, and try it closer to the Mac. A weak connection can drop one of the two clicks.

5. If one press of a mouse button sometimes counts as two clicks, or a click often doesn't register at all whatever the slider says, the button switch is likely wearing out. That's hardware: try another mouse, and for an Apple mouse or a MacBook trackpad contact Apple Support or a repair shop.