Many users have reported encountering “mouse cursor not showing up on the laptop.” It is a serious problem as it decreases productivity. Initially, the problem was limited to a set of devices, which was more of a hardware issue. However, recently, users from across the globe have shared their concerns about the cursor disappearing on their laptops.
Now there can be multiple reasons behind the same. Sometimes the issues lie with the mouse or trackpad you are using, while sometimes, the configuration may be problematic. However, in all situations, troubleshooting is crucial.
If you want to troubleshoot and fix the cursor not showing error, this post is undoubtedly the one for you!
Possible Reasons Behind Disappearing Mouse Pointer in Windows
Now, the first thing to do is to identify the reason behind the mouse cursor not showing, as it can be extremely difficult to fix a problem without knowing its root cause. Users who have encountered the issue have shared their experiences on multiple occasions.
And from their experiences, we can concur that the issue appears due to the following reasons –
- Unknowingly Locked Cursor
- Mouse Pointer Configuration Errors
- Hardware Problems with Trackpad/External Mouse
- Faulty/Outdated Mouse Drivers
- Changed User Modes (On Touch Devices)
- Corrupt System Files
- Program/Application Errors
Sure, there can be other reasons specific to your device as well. However, the majority of the users had one of the above-listed reasons.
Working Ways to Fix Mouse Cursor Not Showing on Windows 10/11 Laptop
Before explaining the fixes, let us clarify how to implement them on your PC. We understand that the issue lies with your mouse. Hence, we will use keyboard shortcuts and arrow keys to implement these changes.
All the navigation can be done using the keyboard. The Tab key will help select the option, and the Arrow keys to navigate through them. Pressing enter will enable/disable a setting. Do not be confused about how to navigate from one option to another. In case of any queries, we always have our comments section open!
Visit here if keyboard arrow keys not working
Preliminary Fixes that you can start with –
1. Unlock the cursor using the Fn keys. If your laptop has a dedicated cursor lock key, try pressing it to check if it resolves the issue. Else, you can use the following hotkey combinations –
Fn Key + F5
Fn Key + F7
Fn Key + F8
Fn Key + F9
2. If you use a wired mouse, try disconnecting and reconnecting the cables. The same goes for a wireless external mouse. Disconnect the receiver and re-connect it to check if the cursor appears.
3. Check for hardware buttons and switches on the mouse that you are using and ensure that it is ON and ready to use.
4. Try using a different port to connect the external mouse, as the issue may lie in the connected port, not the mouse.
5. If the issue has appeared in the inbuilt trackpad, try connecting an external mouse and check if the cursor appears. This will help you identify if the trackpad hardware is damaged or not.
6. While using a laptop with a touchscreen panel, ensure you are not using the PC in tablet mode. There’s a dedicated tablet mode option in the quick controls. Ensure it is disabled, and the cursor does not appear while using the PC as a tablet.
7. Restart the PC to check if the problem is resolved. You can also check the device for updates to see if any crucial system updates are available that might fix the error.
When you finish the preliminary fixes and have had no luck with the mouse cursor disappearing on your laptop, jump to more advanced fixes explained below.
Technical Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Mouse Cursor Not Showing
Fix 1 – Check Mouse Configuration
Step 1 – Press the Start key and look up mouse settings in the search.
Step 2 – Navigate to mouse settings using the arrow keys and hit enter to open the settings
.
Step 3 – Use the tab key to navigate through the options and move to Additional mouse settings in the opened settings. Hit enter to open the same.
Step 4 – Use the tab key to highlight and navigate through the options in the opened settings. Keep pressing the tab key unless the upper tabs are not highlighted.
Step 5 – Move to the Pointer Options tab with the arrow keys.
Step 6 – Press the tab key to enter the internal options of the tab and check if everything is proper.
Step 7 – To be safe, uncheck the hide cursor while typing option and save the changes.
After making the changes, try using the trackpad to see if the cursor appears. If not, do not worry, as we also have other fixes.
Fix 2 – Uninstall Last Installed Application
If the cursor has disappeared on the PC after you had installed a particular application, chances are that the software is causing the issue. The best way to handle the situation is to uninstall the application and check if it fixes the problem.
Step 1 – Press Win+R to open the Run search.
Step 2 – Use the Command Control appwiz. cpl to open the Program Manager.
Step 3 – Use your tab and arrow keys to navigate to the app that you have recently installed.
Step 4 – Hit the enter key to uninstall the application.
Step 5 – Follow the instructions of the uninstall wizard to finish the process.
Restart the PC after the uninstallation and check if the cursor is visible.
Visit here to Read more ways to uninstall Program
Fix 3 – Update Mouse Drivers
Updating the mouse drivers can be a great way to fix any and all related issues. If your system uses outdated drivers, the chances of malfunctioning are extremely high.
The usual way to update a driver on Windows requires you to –
- Open the Device Manager. Press Windows + S and type Device Manager in the search field. Select the best search result and press the Enter key.
- Navigate to the driver > select and press the enter key. You will now see all the drivers under it.
- Open its properties.
- Navigate to Update driver option under the Driver tab.
- Then follow the instructions on the screen to update the driver.
Without your mouse cursor, finishing the entire process can be tricky. Not to mention it is undoubtedly a lengthy process. Hence, we recommend you skip the hassle and use the Advanced Driver Updater.
With this tool, you can cut short the entire process into three steps –
Step 1 – Launch the application from the start menu.
Step 2 – Press the Start Scan Now button using the Tab and Enter keys.
Step 3 – After the scan is over, use the same keys to press the Update All key and let the updates finish.
That’s it! Not only is it easier to use, but the Advanced Driver Updater is also an effective tool that finds and finishes the updates easily.
Find Out Which is the Best Driver Updater Tool HERE!
Fix 4 – Use the Inbuilt Troubleshooter
While using Windows, you can use troubleshooting tools to resolve issues such as the lost cursor on the laptop. To initiate the troubleshooter –
Step 1 – Go to the start menu and type CMD.
Step 2 – Use the arrow keys and navigate to the Run as Administrator option. Hit Enter to open.
Step 3 – In the Command prompt, use the command –
msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Step 4 – This will bring up the troubleshooter. Follow the instructions on the screen and initiate the process.
Step 5 – Restart your computer once the process is complete and you can find your cursor.
Try these fixes and tell us whether they helped you as they did thousands of others. Also, if you have anything else that helped you in such a situation, please share it with others via the comments section.
Thanks for reading. Good luck!
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