Hold Control and click a file in Finder. If its shortcut menu opens, check System Settings > Trackpad > Point & Click > Secondary click. Choose a gesture there and try it on the same file.
01Use Control-click as a baseline
Section linkOpen Finder and pick a file. Hold the Control key while clicking the file once with one finger. If a shortcut menu opens, keep using Control-click while you check the trackpad setting. It gives you a consistent test on an item that has a shortcut menu.
02Choose the gesture and test a physical click
Section linkUnder Point & Click, open the Secondary click menu. Choose the two-finger option and press the trackpad with both fingers resting on it. If pressing works but a light tap does nothing, check Tap to click and try again. Some trackpads offer a bottom-corner gesture. Select that option before trying the corner.
03Compare Finder with the app where it fails
Section linkIf the gesture works on the Finder file, test a specific item in the original app that offers a shortcut menu. When both Control-click and the gesture work in Finder but fail on that item, focus on the app or item. If the Trackpad settings are missing and you use a wireless trackpad, check that it is connected. If the pointer or a normal click fails as well, troubleshoot that input problem first.