Why this happens
Most PC games read keyboard input through standard Windows APIs, but mouse input handling varies. Some games only listen for left click, right click, and middle click. Others recognize mouse 4 and 5 but only in specific columns of their keybind UI. Some don't accept any input beyond the basic three buttons. This is especially common in console ports where the keybind system was designed around a controller and keyboard input was added as an afterthought.
Games with known mouse side button issues
Elden Ring
One of the most common complaints on Steam forums. The keybind menu doesn't accept mouse 4 or 5 as valid inputs. Players who want dodge on a side button have to use workarounds. The usual advice on forums is to use AutoHotkey or manufacturer software to remap the button to a keyboard key first.
Black Myth: Wukong
This game doesn't just ignore mouse side buttons. It fails to recognize most non-alphanumeric keys entirely, including function keys, numpad keys, and symbol keys. The issue is how the game reads input, not just a missing mouse button option. Widely reported on Steam and Reddit since launch.
Palworld
Players have reported that mouse side buttons can't be bound to any in-game action. Steam discussion threads specifically request side button support for dodge roll.
Armored Core VI
The keybind UI separates keyboard and mouse into different columns, which confuses many players. Side buttons are technically recognized, but only if you assign them in the mouse column rather than the keyboard column.
Wild Hearts
Does not recognize mouse 4 or 5 at all. Forum posts describe it as a basic oversight that makes the default dodge keybind uncomfortable on keyboard.
Roblox
Roblox's input system doesn't natively support mouse buttons 4 and 5 in most experiences. A long-standing feature request on the Roblox developer forum has been open for years asking for MouseButton4 and MouseButton5 support.
Diablo IV
Mouse button 5 has a known issue where abilities bound to it won't fire while the character is moving. The button is technically recognized, but the behavior is broken compared to other binds.
Other affected titles
God of War, Horizon Zero Dawn, Ghost of Tsushima, and various indie titles on Steam have all been reported with similar issues. The pattern is consistent: console ports and games built primarily for controller input tend to have limited or broken mouse button support.
The fix
The solution is to remap your mouse side buttons to keyboard keys at the system level, before the game ever sees the input. When you press your side button, the game receives a standard keyboard keypress that it knows how to handle.
MouseKey does exactly this. You select your side button, assign it to any keyboard key (like F13, F14, or any key you don't use), and the game sees a clean keypress it can bind to. The remapping happens at the Windows level, so it works with every game regardless of how the game handles input.
Step by step
- Install MouseKey from the Microsoft Store
- Add a button slot and select your side button (Back or Forward)
- Assign it to a keyboard key the game can recognize. F13 through F24 are ideal because nothing else uses them, but any unused key works
- In the game's keybind menu, press the key you assigned. The game sees a keyboard key and accepts it
- Your side button now triggers that action in-game
Want more than one action per side button? With click cadences, you can assign up to 6 different actions to each side button. Single click for dodge, double click for melee, triple click for grenade. Check out the full gaming shortcut guide for game-specific setups.
Why not just use manufacturer software?
You can use G Hub, Synapse, or iCUE to do the same remapping, but those tools only work with their own brand of mouse. If you have a budget mouse, an unbranded mouse, or you've switched brands, you're out of luck. MouseKey works with any mouse Windows can detect. It also gives you click cadences (6 actions per button) which manufacturer software doesn't offer. For a detailed comparison, see X-Mouse vs MouseKey.
Will this get me banned?
MouseKey remaps one button to one keypress. It's functionally identical to what every manufacturer's mouse software does. This is standard button remapping, not an auto-clicker or cheat tool. That said, always check your specific game's terms of service before using any remapping software in competitive multiplayer.
Fix your mouse buttons in any game
Remap side buttons to keyboard keys. Works with any mouse, any game.
