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Recently the touchpad right-button stopped working as such and instead started behaving a left-button. For example, when I select text and right-click, instead of the expected context menu, the text gets deselected.

My mouse's right-button does work as expected.

It's a Dell Inspiron 7577 with Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

How can I resolve this?

Joshua Fox
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  • Josua, you changed your question!! What you now describe is right other than the first other, because you said that the left and right button behave the same! – abu_bua Jul 26 '18 at 09:01
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    Possible duplicate of [Right click not working on Ubuntu 18.04](https://askubuntu.com/questions/1029444/right-click-not-working-on-ubuntu-18-04) and https://askubuntu.com/questions/1028776/no-secondary-button-right-click-on-touchpad – pomsky Jul 27 '18 at 07:00
  • @abu_bua " you said that the left and right button behave the same". That is still true. Doesn't the text say that? – Joshua Fox Jul 27 '18 at 15:56

3 Answers3

4

Here is the answer.

Summary:

  1. Ubuntu 18.04 changed touchpad behavior: By default, you "right-click" by tapping with two fingers.
  2. You can get back the right-button by installing gnome-tweaks, then Keyboard and Mouse -> Area.
Joshua Fox
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2

You can set it without installing gnome tweaks using

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.peripherals.touchpad clickmethod "areas"

To set it back use 

gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.peripherals.touchpad click-method "fingers"
abu_bua
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0

Apparently you reversed them. Go into Settings, then Keyboard & Mouse. At the top you'll see where you can select which is your 'main mouse button'. Click left and then you're all set!

Ulvdet
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