Mouse Cursor Disappeared in Windows 11: How to Get It Back

Outdated mouse driver can trigger this cursor disappearance

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Key notes

  • Disconnecting the external mouse usually fixes mouse disappearance on Windows 11.
  • Alternate the USB ports to connect the mouse to see if the error is resolved.
  • Update your mouse driver whenever there's an available update.
Mouse cursor dissapeared

Sometimes, Windows 11 users can experience the sudden disappearance of their mouse cursor. This error is present in both Windows 11 and older versions of Windows. If you’re currently experiencing the mouse cursor disappeared error in Windows 11, we’ve provided you with the steps needed to resolve the error.

Why can’t I see my mouse cursor in Windows 11?

The following are some of the common reasons why you can’t see your mouse cursor in Windows 11:

  • Faulty USB port – If your PC has a faulty USB port, it can trigger the mouse to disappear on Windows 11. 
  • Misconfigured touchpad – Sometimes, this problem is caused by incorrect settings of the touchpad.
  • Outdated mouse driver – If the mouse drivers are outdated or incompatible, this can trigger the missing mouse pointer on Windows 11.
  • Virus and malware – In rare cases, the mouse cursor can disappear due to viruses or malware on your PC.
  • Damaged mouse – If you’re using a faulty external mouse, it can cause the mouse cursor to disappear.

Now we know what are the causes of this problem. Let’s apply the solutions below to fix it.

How do I get my cursor back on Windows 11?

Before we move on to more advanced solutions, here are a few quick fixes you can apply:

If those fixes couldn’t resolve the mouse cursor gone on Windows 11, here are a few advanced troubleshooting techniques.

1. Update the mouse driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X, use the down-arrow key to select Device Manager, and hit Enter.
  2. In the Device Manager window, use the Tab key to focus on the window and use the down arrow key to navigate to Mice and other pointing devices.
  3. Press the right-arrow key to expand the menu, and use the down-arrow key to select your mouse.
  4. Press Shift + F10 to open a drop-down menu. Hit the down arrow key to select Update driver and hit Enter.
  5. In the next popup window, select Search automatically for drivers.
  6. Restart your PC after the drivers are successfully updated.
  7. Alternatively, in step 4, you may also select Uninstall device. After restarting your PC, the system will install a new driver for the mouse.

After updating your mouse driver, it’ll be best to enable driver auto-update on your PC to ensure that you always get the latest versions of drivers.

If you’re installing drivers manually, download them from the Official manufacturer’s website.

Sometimes, the generic drivers for your PC’s hardware and peripherals are not updated accordingly by your system.

Thus, the easiest way to choose the right driver is by using a specialized tool like Outbyte Driver Updater to find any outdated drivers on your computer and instantly locate the correct and latest updates for them.

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2. Enable the touchpad

Note icon NOTE
This solution only applies if you have a laptop or a PC with a touchpad.
  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Use the Tab key to navigate to the left pane, use the arrow keys to locate the Bluetooth & devices option, and hit Enter.
  3. Locate Touchpad and hit Enter.
  4. In the next popup window, use the Tab key to access the toggle button and tap the Spacebar to turn it on.

If the touchpad isn’t properly configured, it can trigger the cursor disappearance on Windows.

3. Unhide the mouse pointer

  1. Press Windows key + R to open a window, type in control mouse, and hit Enter.
  2. In the Mouse Properties window, use the right-arrow key to navigate the Pointer Options tab.
  3. Locate the Hide Pointer while typing and press the Spacebar to uncheck the selection.
  4. Use the Tab key to select the Apply button and press the Spacebar to save the changes. Press OK to save the changes.
  5. Exit the Mouse Properties window and restart your PC.

Sometimes, the mouse pointer disappears due to a string or misconfigurations. Unchecking the Hide Pointer option can resolve the error.

5. Disable the Tablet Mode

  1. Press Alt + F4 keys to open the Shut Down wizard.
  2. Hit the down arrow key in the drop-down menu until you locate the Restart option.
  3. Press the tab key to shift focus to the OK button and hit Enter on your keyboard to restart your PC.

On Windows 11, it’s impossible to manually disable Tablet Mode without restarting the device.

There are tons of ways to fix the mouse pointers gone on Windows 11. Connecting the mouse often resolves the error, but you’d likely need to attempt more fixes.

After you fixed this problem, you might be interested in pour guide on how to change and customize your mouse cursor.

If you’ve got other solutions to help resolve the mouse cursor that disappeared on Windows 11, you can let us know in the comments section.

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