A missing laptop cursor usually points to a disabled touchpad, display or pointer settings, or driver glitches—simple checks bring it back fast.
If your pointer vanishes, you feel stuck. The good news: most cases come down to settings, toggles, or a momentary system hiccup. This guide lays out quick checks you can run from the keyboard, followed by deeper steps for Windows, macOS, and Chromebooks.
Keep calm; your files are safe and these steps bring back the pointer quickly.
Cursor Not Showing On Laptop — Quick Checks
Try the items below first. They take seconds, need no mouse, and help you rule out common causes of a missing pointer on a laptop.
- Wake graphics: On Windows, press Win+Ctrl+Shift+B to reset the graphics driver; the screen may blink and the cursor can return.
- Cycle displays: If a second screen is attached, switch modes. On Windows, press Win+P, then use arrows and Enter. On Mac, unplug the extra display or open Display settings and toggle mirroring.
- Toggle touchpad: Many laptops have a function key or a small dot on the top-left of the pad that disables it. Tap the pad corner twice or press the touchpad Fn key combo once.
- Plug a USB mouse: If the cursor appears with a USB mouse, the built-in pad may be off or its driver needs a refresh.
- Show location ring: In Windows Mouse Properties, the Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key option draws a ring so you can track the pointer.
- Disable “hide while typing”: If the pointer only vanishes when you type, turn off the option that hides it during typing in Mouse Properties.
- Make it bigger: On any OS, raise pointer size so it’s easier to spot. macOS can also briefly enlarge the pointer when you shake the mouse or trackpad.
- Reboot fast: Use Alt+F4 on Windows or press and hold the power key on a MacBook or Chromebook to restart when needed.
Common Symptoms, Causes, And Fast Fixes
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fast Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor gone after wake | Graphics driver hang | Press Win+Ctrl+Shift+B; then update graphics |
| Pointer missing on login | Touchpad disabled | Use touchpad Fn toggle or pad double-tap |
| Shows on external screen only | Extended display mode | Press Win+P, pick “PC screen only” or mirror |
| Disappears while typing | Hide-while-typing on | Uncheck “Hide pointer while typing” |
| Hard to see on light apps | Tiny or pale pointer | Increase size or change color/outline |
| Fine with USB mouse | Touchpad driver issue | Reinstall or update touchpad driver |
| Vanishes in one app | App captures cursor | Exit full screen; disable hardware accel in that app |
| Cursor lags then drops | Low resources | Close heavy tabs; restart |
| Random jumps | Palm rejection off | Enable palm rejection in touchpad settings |
| No cursor at all | Accessibility contrast, high zoom, or Magnifier | Turn off magnifiers; reset display zoom |
| Pointer offset | Scaled display or custom DPI | Set recommended scale; sign out/in |
| Intermittent after updates | Driver mismatch | Roll back driver or install the vendor build |
Windows Fixes For A Hidden Pointer
On Windows 11 or 10, most fixes live under Settings and in Mouse Properties. You can reach these screens without a mouse. Press Win+I to open Settings, then use Tab, arrow keys, and Enter.
Turn Off “Hide While Typing” And Show A Location Ring
Open Bluetooth & devices → Mouse → Additional mouse settings, switch to Pointer Options, clear the box for Hide pointer while typing, and enable Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key. That ring makes it easy to find the cursor during busy work.
Reset Graphics And Check Displays
If the screen wakes with a cursor missing, press Win+Ctrl+Shift+B to refresh the graphics stack. Then press Win+P and pick a single-screen mode to rule out an off-screen pointer. If your pointer returns, set your usual display mode again.
Reinstall The Touchpad Driver
Press Win+X, choose Device Manager, expand Mice and other pointing devices, select your touchpad, and choose Uninstall device. Reboot and Windows will load a fresh driver. If your laptop maker offers a custom touchpad package, install that build afterward.
Set Pointer Size And Visibility
Go to Settings → Accessibility → Mouse pointer and touch. Raise the size slider and pick a color that stands out on your wallpaper and in your apps. This single change helps avoid many “cursor not showing on laptop” moments.
For more detail from the source, see Microsoft’s page on fixing touchpad issues and driver reloads. Windows touchpad help.
Mac Fixes When The Cursor Disappears
macOS has visibility tools plus a setting that enlarges the pointer when you move the mouse quickly. If the cursor still hides, these steps clear the usual culprits.
Make The Pointer Easier To See
Open System Settings → Accessibility → Display → Pointer. Increase Pointer size and toggle Shake mouse pointer to locate. A quick wiggle will enlarge the pointer for a moment so you can spot it on bright backgrounds.
Check Displays And Mission Control
Disconnect extra screens to test. You can also press F3 (Mission Control) then return to your desktop; the pointer often reappears after that switch.
Trackpad Checks
Open System Settings → Trackpad and ensure tap-to-click and click pressure feel normal. If the built-in pad seems off, connect a USB or Bluetooth mouse and compare. If the mouse works and the pad does not, update macOS and check your laptop maker’s pad firmware notes.
Apple’s pages show where to change pointer size and the shake-to-locate toggle. Pointer visibility on Mac.
Chromebook Pointer Missing: What To Try
Chromebooks keep pointer controls in one place. Press Alt+Shift+S to open Quick Settings, choose the gear icon, then head to Accessibility → Cursor and touchpad. Switch on Show large mouse cursor and adjust size, or turn on cursor highlights so it stands out while you work.
Hardware Toggles And Touchpad Locks
Laptops often ship with a touchpad disable shortcut to prevent palm touches. That’s helpful while typing but confusing when you hit it by accident. Look for a key with a small pad icon—often tied to Fn. Some models have a tiny LED or dot on the top-left corner of the pad; double-tap that spot to toggle the pad on or off. If the LED stays lit and your pointer never appears, the pad is still blocked.
While you’re here, clean the pad with a lint-free cloth and a drop of water. Oils can dull sensitivity and cause short hops that feel like the cursor vanished.
Driver, Display, And App Conflicts
Cursors can drop when an app grabs full control, a game runs in full screen, or a browser tab hits a video glitch. Exit the app with Alt+Tab on Windows or Cmd+Tab on macOS. If the cursor returns, switch that app out of full screen or turn off its hardware acceleration setting. Graphics driver restarts and vendor updates also help after large OS updates.
If scale or DPI settings push the pointer off screen, set the recommended scale and sign out. On macOS, try lowering display scaling or switching off any third-party overlay tools to see if the pointer returns.
Settings Paths You Can Use Later
| OS | Menu Path | What To Change |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Settings → Accessibility → Mouse pointer and touch | Pointer size and color |
| Windows | Control Panel → Mouse → Pointer Options | Hide while typing; show location ring |
| Windows | Device Manager → Mice and other pointing devices | Reinstall touchpad driver |
| macOS | System Settings → Accessibility → Display → Pointer | Pointer size; shake to locate |
| macOS | System Settings → Displays | Mirror or set a single screen |
| macOS | System Settings → Trackpad | Tap-to-click; click tracking |
| ChromeOS | Settings → Accessibility → Cursor and touchpad | Large cursor; highlights |
| ChromeOS | Settings → Device → Touchpad | Sensitivity; tap settings |
Keyboard-Only Navigation When The Pointer Is Gone
These shortcuts let you move through menus and save work even when the pointer goes missing.
Windows
- Open Settings: Win+I
- Task Manager: Ctrl+Shift+Esc
- Shut down menu: Alt+F4 on the desktop
- Cycle apps: Alt+Tab
- Display modes: Win+P
macOS
- Open System Settings: Cmd+Space, type “settings”, press Enter
- Quit an app: Cmd+Q
- Force quit: Cmd+Option+Esc
- Cycle apps: Cmd+Tab
ChromeOS
- Quick Settings: Alt+Shift+S
- Overview: Search+=
- Screen capture: Ctrl+Shift+Show Windows
When It’s Time For Repair
If you still can’t get a pointer on screen after a clean reboot, fresh drivers, and a display check, you may be looking at a failed touchpad, a damaged cable, or a swollen battery pressing up under the pad. Signs include a pad that clicks unevenly, a bulge around the palm rest, or a cursor that jumps even while your hands are off the deck. At that point, back up your files and book a hardware check with the laptop maker or a trusted technician.
Prevent The “Cursor Not Showing” Problem Next Time
Keep your system patched, install the touchpad package from your laptop maker, and avoid stacking screen-capture overlays or cursor utilities. Use a bright pointer color and a size that stands out, and leave the “show location” ring on in Windows. A few minutes of setup pays off with a pointer you can see on any background.