Quick Fixes for No Cursor Laptop Issue

Fast and effective methods to resolve your laptop's missing cursor problem.

Posted by @Irene December 17, 2024 Updated By @Irene June 7, 2024

Are you having trouble tracking down that cursor in Windows 11/10? We've got the fixes you need to get it back in no time.

Why is there no cursor on laptop?

A constantly disappearing cursor isn't a hardware issue, so there's no need for a new mouse. Instead, it's caused by various software-related factors, which means there are numerous potential solutions to explore.

The cursor might not work at all, or it could disappear in particular situations. The mouse buttons might even work while the cursor is hidden. Here are some common scenarios where users notice a disappearing cursor:

  • After a Windows update
  • In one program only, like Chrome
  • Only when typing
  • Coming out of sleep mode
  • Scrolling with your fingers on a laptop touchpad

How to Fix the Cursor Not Showing

Follow these steps to diagnose the problem and learn how to remedy it. Start with the easiest fixes and work your way down until you find a solution that works.

1. Reconnect the Mouse

For a wired mouse, unplug it and plug it back in, maybe in a different USB port. For wireless mice, remove the USB receiver, turn off the mouse, then reconnect and turn it back on. This can re-establish the connection with Windows.

2. Restart Your Computer

Press Win + D to go to the desktop, then Alt + F4 to open shutdown options and restart your computer. Restarting can often resolve cursor issues.

3. Check for Windows Updates

Search for "Check for updates" in the search bar and install any available updates. This can fix known issues that may be causing your cursor to disappear.

4. Run the Device Troubleshooter

Open the Run box with Win + R and type msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic. Follow the on-screen instructions to check for hardware issues.

5. Check Mouse and Touchpad Settings

If using a laptop, check for a physical switch or a function key (like F6 or F9) to enable the touchpad. Search for "Touchpad settings" and ensure the touchpad is enabled. For external mice, open Run (Win + R), type control mouse, go to the Device Settings tab, and enable the device.

6. Reinstall Mouse or Touchpad Drivers

Open Device Manager (Run > devmgmt.msc), navigate to "Mice and other pointing devices," select your mouse, and uninstall the driver (Alt + A, then U). Restart your computer to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.

7. Update or Reinstall Drivers

Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver for your mouse. Alternatively, use driver updater tools to scan for updates.

8. Disable Tablet Mode

If you have a touchscreen PC, disable Tablet mode from the notification area in the taskbar.

9. Adjust Chrome Settings

If the cursor disappears in Chrome, try disabling or enabling hardware acceleration in Chrome's settings. Toggle the setting, restart Chrome, and check if the issue is resolved.

10. Stop Cursor from Hiding While Typing

Run control mouse to open Mouse Properties, go to the Pointer Options tab, and uncheck "Hide pointer while typing."

11. Set Pointer Scheme to None

In Mouse Properties, go to the Pointers tab, select "None" in the scheme dropdown, and uncheck "Enable pointer shadow."

12. Disable Windows Ink for Wacom Tablets

For Wacom tablets, disable Windows Ink via Wacom Tablet Properties, or enable "Show cursor" under Settings > Devices > Pen & Windows Ink.

13. Check Multiple Monitors

If using multiple monitors, drag the mouse to the left or right several times until the cursor appears on your primary screen. Disconnect extra displays if necessary.

14. Use Ctrl+Alt+Del

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to bring up the screen, then exit. This might temporarily fix the disappearing cursor issue.

Other solutions

If the above methods for fixing no cursor on laptop don't work well, you can also follow these steps:

  • Check for and remove malware
  • Unplug all USB devices and restart the computer
  • Power down the computer for a few minutes and restart
  • Use a registry cleaner tool
  • Run System Restore to undo recent system changes

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the disappearing cursor issue in Windows 10. If the problem persists, seek help from technical support or professional assistance.

Make a bootable media and rebuild MBR

If you want to fix this problem quickly without risks, you can use a professional Windows startup fixer such as the AOMEI Partition Assistant. Its Make a Bootable Media and Rebuild MBR functions allows you to diagnose and fix various startup-related problems, so it is a valuable asset in eliminating errors that interfere with properly starting the operating system. This tool has a convenient solution for the damage of the startup log, system file loss or other related errors.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

★Before we begin, it's necessary for you to make preparations:
1. A functioning computer.
2. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional on this computer.
3. An empty USB drive or CD/DVD.
4. If the USB media contains important data, back it up, as it will be formatted during the process.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. On the main interface, select "Make Bootable Media" from the "Tools" menu. Then, click on "Next" to proceed.

Step 2. Choose either "Burn to CD/DVD" or "USB Boot Device" based on the type of media you inserted. After making your selection, click on "Proceed" to continue.

Step 3.  A notification will appear stating that your USB drive will be formatted. Ensure you have backed up the necessary information, then click "Yes" to proceed.

The process of creating a WinPE bootable USB drive will require a few minutes. Once completed, a comprehensive partition manager will be installed on the USB or CD/DVD. You can connect this media to another Windows PC and run the partition manager. Then go to the BIOS and set it as the boot drive.

Step 4. Power on the PC and press the BIOS key. The BIOS key varies by manufacturer, so consult the instruction book or use a search engine like Google to find the specific key.

Note: If you have downloaded AOMEI PA, you can directly run the UEFI BIOS Boot Options Manager in the Tools part to learn how to enter BIOS in Windows 11.

Step 5. Enter the BIOS setup and navigate to the "boot" tab using the arrow keys. Choose "change boot order".

Step 6. In the list of devices, set the bootable manager as the first in order. Save the changes. Upon reboot, you will see AOMEI Partition Assistant, allowing you to repair or manage your hard drive using its various features.

Note: The bootable USB flash drive contains the AOMEI software you previously installed.

Step 7. Insert the bootable USB into the problematic PC, change boot Order in BIOS and boot from it. Then, you can rebuild MBR for the system primary hard drive.

3. Update/Rollback the Graphics Card Driver

Even though updates are necessary for a computer to work at its best, they can sometimes lead to errors or bugs. This problem can also be caused by drivers that are too old; both situations are possible. We will try to fix this problem by either updating or reverting the drivers for your graphics card.

Follow the steps:

Step 1. Right-click the Windows start symbol in the lower left corner and choose Device Manager from the menu that appears.

Step 2. Expand "Display adapters" and double-click on the graphics driver.

Step 3. Click the "Driver" tab, and from here, you'll see both options, "Update Driver" and "Roll Back Driver." Perform any action accordingly to fix the issue.

Conclusion

If you follow a step-by-step process, fixing a missing cursor problem in Windows 10 should be easy. You can quickly get the cursor to work again by learning about the most common reasons and following the suggested fixes. If the problem still happens after these steps, you might want to use professional tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant or get help from a tech to make sure your system works properly.

FAQs

  1. Why does my cursor disappear after a Windows update?

    • A Windows update might cause conflicts or change settings that affect the cursor. Checking for additional updates or rolling back the recent update can help resolve this issue.
  2. How can I fix the cursor disappearing in one program only, like Chrome?

    • Try disabling or enabling hardware acceleration in Chrome's settings. Toggle the setting, restart Chrome, and check if the issue is resolved.
  3. What should I do if my cursor disappears only when typing?

    • This might be due to the "Hide pointer while typing" setting. Open Mouse Properties, go to the Pointer Options tab, and uncheck "Hide pointer while typing."
  4. How do I reinstall mouse or touchpad drivers to fix a disappearing cursor?

    • Open Device Manager (Run > devmgmt.msc), navigate to "Mice and other pointing devices," select your mouse or touchpad, and uninstall the driver. Restart your computer to let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
  5. Can malware cause the cursor to disappear, and how can I check for it?

    • Yes, malware can cause various issues, including a disappearing cursor. Use antivirus software to scan and remove any malware from your system.