While the problem of Cursor or Mouse Pointer disappearing or not showing up has been reported after installing updates on a Windows computer, it can also occur at any other time.
This problem can appear due to various reasons, ranging from outdated device drivers to the Mouse being disabled due to accidental pressing of a keyboard shortcut that can disable the Mouse.
In certain cases, the problem of Mouse Pointer disappearing is also known to occur due to the Mouse being disabled by an update installed on the computer, while it was in sleep mode.
Mouse Pointer Disappeared in Windows 11/10
If the Cursor or Mouse Pointer is missing or has suddenly disappeared from the computer, you should be able to bring it back by using the following troubleshooting steps.
1. Remove and Reconnect the Mouse
If you are using a wired mouse, unplug it from the computer and re-connect it back again. If you are using a wireless mouse, remove its USB Receiver from the computer and re-connect it back again.
This should help the computer to recognize the mouse and the Cursor or Mouse Pointer should now appear on the screen of your computer.
2. Change USB Port
It is possible that the problem of Mouse Pointer disappearing is occurring on your computer due to the USB Port going through a glitch or not at all working.
To confirm, plug the Mouse/Receiver into another USB Port and see if you can now see the Cursor or the Mouse Pointer appearing on the screen of your computer.
If you are using a USB Hub, remove the Mouse from USB Hub and plug it directly into the USB Port of the computer.
3. Restart the Computer
Restarting the computer can help, if the problem is occurring due to a stuck program or process.
1. Press Alt + F4 keys on the keyboard of your computer and this will bring up the Shut Down dialog box.
2. Use the Arrow key to select the Restart option and click on OK to restart the computer.
After the computer restarts, try to use the Mouse and you should be able to see the Mouse Pointer.
4. Unplug USB Connected Devices
Sometimes, interference from USB 3.0 devices can prevent the Mouse from functioning properly.
Remove all the USB connected devices from the computer (except Mouse/Keyboard), restart the computer and see if this helps in fixing the problem.
5. Change the Mouse Battery
If you are using a wireless mouse, the problem might be due to the Mouse Pointer not appearing or not being visible due to a Weak Battery.
Replace the Battery on the mouse with a new one and this should fix the problem.
6. Test Mouse on Another Computer
Try using the mouse on another computer and see if the Mouse pointer appears. If the cursor does not appear, the problem is confined to the Mouse.
If the Cursor appears, the problem is with the computer and can be fixed using the next troubleshooting steps as provided below in this guide.
7. Re-Enable Mouse
As mentioned above, the problem could be due to the mouse being accidentally disabled by the user or disabled by a Windows update installed on the computer, while it was in sleep mode.
This can be fixed by pressing a combination of Function Keys to Turn ON the Mouse. Depending on the manufacturer, the key combinations might be any of the following.
- Fn + F3 or Fn + F5.
- Fn + F9 or Fn + F11.
8. Disable Hide Pointer While Typing Option
Since, you cannot use the Mouse, you can make use of the Tab and Arrow Keys on the keyboard of your computer to unselect the Hide Pointer while typing option,
1. Press Windows + R keys to open Run Command.
2. In the Run Command window, type control mouse and press the Enter Key.
3. On Mouse Properties screen, switch to Pointer Options tab, navigate to Hide pointer while typing entry and press the Spacebar to uncheck the checkbox.
4. Make sure to use the Tab and Arrow keys to press Apply and OK keys.
9. Enable Touchpad
If the Mouse pointer is not appearing from the Touchpad, the issue might be due to the touchpad being disabled.
1. Press Windows + i to open the Settings menu on your computer.
2. Use the Tab and Arrow Keys to select Bluetooth & Devices tab and press the Enter key. Next, use the Tab and Arrow keys to select Touchpad and press the Enter key.
3. On the next screen, use the Tab key to access Touchpad entry and use the Spacebar to switch on the Touchpad.
After this, you should be able to use the Touchpad and see the Mouse while using the Touchpad.
10. Update Mouse Driver
As mentioned above, the problem could be due to the Mouse Drivers becoming outdated on your computer.
1. Type Device Manager in the Search bar, use the Arrow Key to select Device Manager in search results and press the Enter key to open Device Manager screen.
2. On Device Manager screen, press the Tab Key and then use the Arrow key to select Mice and other Pointing Devices entry.
3. Next, press Shift + F10 key to expand Mice and other pointing devices entry > use the Arrow key to highlight HID-complaint mouse, select Update Driver option and press the Enter Key.
On the next screen, click on Search automatically for updated driver software option and allow Windows to automatically search and update the driver software.