Here is a list of troubleshooting steps for why your laptop isn’t recognizing your external mouse clicks:

1. Check the port connection:
   Check whether the physical connection between the mouse and laptop is secure and firmly connected to the laptop.
2. Check the mouse is working:
   See if the mouse is working with other devices. If not, then the problem might be with the mouse itself.
3. Check the mouse settings:
   Ensure that the mouse settings within the device settings are suitable for the device.
4. Update driver software:
   It is possible that the existing driver software needs to be updated to be compatible with your laptop.
5. Restart your laptop:
   Shutdown and restart your laptop in order to enable any changes you may have made.
6. Check for system updates:
   Ensure the laptop’s operating system is up to date.