Quick checks when your cursor disappears
Work through these checks before changing drivers or settings. They can help you identify whether the problem is the built-in touchpad, the mouse, the connection or the laptop itself.
Look for a touchpad key
Many laptops have a function key with a touchpad symbol. Press Fn and that key once to check whether the touchpad has been switched off. The exact key varies by laptop.
Clean the surface or sensor
Remove dust or dirt from the touchpad. If you are using a mouse, check the sensor and make sure the surface beneath it is clear and suitable for tracking.
Check power and connections
Charge a wireless mouse or replace its batteries. For a wired or USB wireless mouse, check the cable or receiver and try a different USB port.
Remove hubs temporarily
Connect a USB mouse receiver directly to the laptop rather than through a hub. A powered or faulty hub can interrupt the connection.
Restart the laptop
A restart can clear a temporary software or connection problem. If the laptop is frozen, try keyboard controls first and only force a shutdown when normal options are unavailable.
Check another screen
If you recently connected a monitor or TV, move the pointer towards the edges of the displays or disconnect the extra screen temporarily to check where the pointer is appearing.
How to fix a missing or frozen cursor in Windows
Windows touchpad problems can be linked to a disabled setting or a missing or out-of-date driver. Microsoft recommends Windows Update for touchpad driver updates, with Device Manager available for updating or reinstalling the driver.
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Check the touchpad setting
Open Settings and search for Touchpad. On Windows 11, the setting is under Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad. On Windows 10, look under Devices > Touchpad. If it is switched off, turn it on and test the pointer.
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Install Windows updates
Open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Install available updates, restart the laptop and test the touchpad again.
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Update or reinstall the touchpad driver
Search for Device Manager and look for the touchpad under Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices. Open the device options and follow the prompts to update the driver. If updating does not help, reinstalling it may allow Windows Update to install the driver again.
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Test with an external mouse
Connect a mouse directly to the laptop. If the mouse works but the touchpad does not, the issue is more likely to be linked to the touchpad setting, driver or hardware. If the mouse does not work, test it on another computer if possible.
Need more help? Read Microsoft's guidance for fixing touchpad problems in Windows before downloading a driver from another website.
How to fix a missing or frozen cursor on a MacBook
On a Mac, first check whether the pointer is hidden or whether the trackpad is not responding. If the pointer is difficult to see, macOS includes settings that can make it larger or easier to locate.
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Make the pointer easier to find
Open Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Display, then review the Pointer settings. Apple includes a Shake mouse pointer to locate option, along with controls for pointer size and colour.
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Check the trackpad and Pointer Control settings
Open Apple menu > System Settings > Trackpad and check that the trackpad responds. If a mouse or wireless trackpad is connected, review Accessibility > Pointer Control for settings that can ignore the built-in trackpad.
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Restart and check for macOS updates
If the Mac responds to keyboard input, save your work, restart it and install any available macOS updates. Test the trackpad again after the Mac starts.
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Use the keyboard or a mouse temporarily
If you cannot control the pointer, macOS includes Mouse Keys under Accessibility > Pointer Control. You can also connect a compatible wired or wireless mouse while you check the built-in trackpad.
If the trackpad still does not respond, check Apple's Mac laptop service and repair guidance or contact the manufacturer if the laptop is covered by another support arrangement.
How to fix a missing or frozen cursor on a Chromebook
Google recommends a short sequence of touchpad checks before a hardware reset. Try each step in order and test the touchpad after each one.
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Check that the touchpad is enabled
Open Settings > Accessibility > Cursor & touchpad. Under Disable built-in touchpad, check that the setting is not set to Always. Google also says pressing the Shift key five times can switch the touchpad back on.
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Clean and wake the touchpad
Make sure there is no dust or dirt on the touchpad. Press the Esc key several times, then drum your fingers on the touchpad for 10 seconds.
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Turn the Chromebook off and on
Shut down the Chromebook, start it again and test the touchpad. If the problem only affects one account, Google suggests removing that account and adding it again after checking that important files are synced.
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Try a hardware reset as a later step
Turn off the Chromebook, press and hold Refresh, then tap Power. Release Refresh when the Chromebook starts. Google notes that a hardware reset can remove some files from the Downloads folder, so copy anything important first.
Still stuck? Read Google's guidance for using and fixing a Chromebook touchpad, then contact the Chromebook manufacturer if the steps do not help.
When an external mouse can help
A mouse can give you immediate control while you check a laptop's touchpad, or provide a separate pointing device for everyday work, study and gaming. Choose a connection that suits your laptop and the way you plan to use it.
Wired USB mouse
Connect it directly to a USB port for a simple setup. Check which USB ports your laptop has before choosing a mouse.
Wireless USB mouse
A small receiver keeps your desk clear while avoiding Bluetooth pairing. Keep the receiver accessible and check the mouse battery or charge.
Bluetooth mouse
Bluetooth can leave a USB port free, provided your laptop supports Bluetooth and the mouse is compatible with its operating system.
Find a mouse for your laptop
Browse wired, wireless and Bluetooth mice to find a pointer device for work, study or everyday use.
When should you seek further help
If the cursor is still missing after a restart, settings check and driver or system update, the issue may need manufacturer support. A working external mouse alongside an unresponsive built-in touchpad can help narrow down the problem, but it does not confirm a specific hardware fault.
The touchpad never responds
Check the laptop maker's support information for the exact model and arrange an inspection if the touchpad remains unresponsive.
No mouse works
Test a wired mouse directly in the laptop and check it on another computer if possible. The issue may involve the port, connection or operating system.
The laptop is also unstable
If apps freeze, the screen shows other faults or the keyboard stops responding too, follow the manufacturer's wider troubleshooting or service guidance.
Cursor troubleshooting questions, answered
Why has my laptop cursor disappeared?
The pointer may be hidden, the touchpad may be disabled, a mouse may have lost power or connection, or the touchpad driver may need an update. Start with the quick checks, then follow the steps for your operating system.
How do I move the cursor without a mouse?
Use the laptop's touchpad if it responds. Windows and macOS also include accessibility tools that allow keyboard navigation or pointer control. A wired USB mouse can provide a temporary alternative if the laptop has a compatible port.
Why does my mouse work but my touchpad does not?
The touchpad may be disabled, ignored when an external mouse is connected, affected by a driver issue or experiencing a hardware fault. Check the touchpad settings and drivers for your operating system before arranging support.
Should I buy a new mouse if the cursor stops working?
Not necessarily. Check the mouse power, cable, USB receiver, Bluetooth connection and another USB port first. If the mouse fails on another computer too, replacing it may be appropriate. If an external mouse works but the built-in touchpad does not, investigate the touchpad separately.
Official guidance: Microsoft mouse and keyboard troubleshooting, Apple pointer visibility settings, Apple Mouse Keys guidance and Google Chromebook hardware reset guidance.