Mouse not showing up on laptop [best fixes]

This article was made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, Auslogics.

Seeing a cursor suddenly disappear from your laptop screen after some regular update can be a real headache, especially when you’re in the middle of something important. But don’t worry; whether it’s a touchpad malfunctioning on your notebook or a disappearing mouse pointer, the solutions provided in this article will help you deal with the issue.

The common reasons that could make your mouse cursor invisible on a laptop are driver issues, hardware problems, software glitches, and display settings. That said, here are a few things you can try first before jumping into real troubleshooting:

1. Reboot your laptop. A simple reboot can solve many problems, including a missing cursor. Restart your laptop and see if the cursor reappears.
2. Check your connections. If you’re using an external mouse, check if it’s connected properly. If it is, try unplugging it and then plugging it back in. Then, you can try connecting your mouse to a different USB port. Finally, try testing it on another device to see if it works there. If it doesn’t, you might need to buy a new mouse.
3. Enable the touchpad. If you noticed that a cursor disappeared on your laptop all of a sudden, chances are that you might have accidentally disabled your touchpad. To enable it, look for an icon on the function key (often F5, F7, or F9) that resembles a touchpad and press on it.

How to navigate a laptop without a mouse

If your mouse or touchpad is malfunctioning on your notebook, it means that you’ll need to use your keyboard. Here are a few tips and shortcuts that may come in handy:

• Press Ctrl + Esc or the Windows (Win) key to open the Start menu. Use the Tab key to move between sections and the arrow keys to navigate within sections.
• Use Alt + Tab to switch between open apps. Hold Alt and press Tab to cycle through the open programs, releasing Alt to select the desired app.
• Press Win + D to go directly to the desktop. Use the arrow keys to move between icons and Enter to open the selected item.
• Press Shift + F10 (or Shift + Fn + F10 if you have a Fn key) or the Menu key (if you have it) to open the context menu for the selected item. Use the arrow keys to navigate the menu options and Enter to select.
• Use the Shift + arrow keys to select text. Copy the selected text with Ctrl + C, cut with Ctrl + X, and paste with Ctrl + V.
• Open a new window with Ctrl + N and close the current window with Alt + F4. Use Alt + F4 to shut down the computer from the desktop.

Advanced fixes

Update your drivers

Updating device drivers can resolve many issues, including a cursor not displaying on a laptop. Here’s how you can do it:

• Press Win + X and select Device Manager from the list.
• Expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” section.
• Hover over your mouse or touchpad device, press Shift + F10 or Shift + Fn + F10, and select “Update driver.”

• Select the “Search automatically for drivers” option to update the driver.

Note that manually updating a driver doesn’t guarantee that the latest version of it will be installed because the newest versions may not yet be reflected in the Windows database.

On the other hand, using Auslogics Driver Updater with its extensive and constantly updated driver database automates the process and ensures that the latest, manufacturer-recommended drivers are installed.

The program checks for all outdated or missing drivers on your system and allows you to update them with one click. What’s more, Auslogics Driver Updater backs up drivers before updating them, so you can go back to the previous version in case you don’t like the new one.

Here’s how to run it:

• Download and install Auslogics Driver Updater.
• Click “Start scan” to identify drivers that need updating.

• Click “Update driver” next to the driver you want to update or “Update drivers” just under the list to update all drivers at once.

Note that the option to update all drivers at once is only available in the full version of the program.

Adjust pointer settings

Sometimes, the cursor is just hard to see due to pointer settings. To make it visible, try adjusting these:

• Go to Start > Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.
• Select “Additional mouse settings” and go to the “Pointer Options” tab in the window that appears.
• Ensure “Display pointer trails” is unchecked and check the “Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key” box.
• Don’t forget to click “Apply” and “OK” to save changes.

Modify power settings

Sometimes, power management settings can cause the cursor to disappear. Adjusting these settings might help:

• Open Device Manager.
• Expand “Mice and other pointing devices.”
• Hover over your mouse or touchpad, press Shift + F10 or Shift + Fn + F10, and select “Properties.”
• Go to the “Power Management” tab.
• Make sure that the “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power” box is unchecked.

Run the System File Checker

Corrupted system files can cause many issues, and a mouse not showing up on a laptop is among them. Use the built-in tool called System File Checker to scan for and repair these files:

• Press the Windows key and type cmd.
• Press Shift + F10 or Shift + Fn + F10 and select “Run as administrator.”
• Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
• Wait for the scan to complete to check if that was the case.

Seek professional help

If you’ve tried all the fixes and the cursor is still not displaying on your laptop, it might be time to seek professional help.

Mouse not showing on laptop – conclusion

Facing a cursor that has disappeared is no joke, but with the fixes provided in this article, you should be able to get it back on your laptop screen in no time. Keep your system and drivers updated regularly with Auslogics Driver Updater, be cautious about installing third-party software from untrusted sources, and regularly clean your touchpad to stay away from such issues in the future.

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