no mouse disappeared

Press Ctrl first to check whether Windows can reveal the pointer’s position, then use the keyboard-only steps below to restore it.

1. Make the pointer visible

1. Press Windows key, type mouse settings, then press Enter.
2. Use Tab to move through the page to Additional mouse settings, then press Enter.
3. Press Ctrl+Tab until Pointer Options opens.
4. Use Tab to reach:
   • Hide pointer while typing — press Space to clear it.
   • Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key — press Space to select it.
5. Tab to Apply, press Enter, then select OK.
6. Press Ctrl. Windows should draw a circle around the pointer. ^1^

You can also enlarge it: press Windows key, type mouse pointer size, press Enter, and use Tab followed by the arrow keys to increase Size.

2. Check the mouse or touchpad

For a USB mouse:

• Disconnect it, wait briefly, and reconnect it.
• Try another USB port.
• If it uses a USB hub, connect it directly to the computer.
• Test the mouse on another computer. If it also fails there, the mouse may need replacing. ^2^

For a wireless mouse:

• Replace or recharge its battery.
• Turn it off and on.
• For a USB wireless receiver, unplug the receiver, wait about 10 seconds, and reconnect it. ^2^

For a laptop touchpad:

1. Press Windows key, type touchpad settings, and press Enter.
2. Use Tab until the Touchpad switch is selected.
3. If it is off, press Space to turn it on.

3. If the laptop has a touchscreen

Touch input can sometimes suppress the pointer on touch-enabled or 2-in-1 devices. Temporarily disable the touchscreen as a diagnostic test:

1. Press Windows+X, then M to open Device Manager.
2. Use Tab and the arrow keys to select Human Interface Devices.
3. Press Right Arrow to expand it.
4. Select HID-compliant touch screen.
5. Press Shift+F10, choose Disable device, and press Enter.
6. Restart with Windows+X, then U, then R.
7. Check whether the pointer returns. ^3^

This is only a test. Re-enable the touchscreen through the same Device Manager menu afterward.

4. Update or reinstall the pointing-device driver

Microsoft recommends trying Windows Update first for touchpad drivers:

1. Press Windows key, type check for updates, and press Enter.
2. Use Tab to select Check for updates, then press Enter.
3. Install available updates and restart. ^4^

If the pointer remains missing:

1. Press Windows+X, then M.
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices using Right Arrow. For a touchpad, also check Human Interface Devices.
3. Select the mouse or touchpad and press Shift+F10.
4. Select Update driver and follow the prompts.
5. If updating does not work, return to that menu and select Uninstall device, then restart. Windows will attempt to reinstall the device driver. ^4^

If neither an external mouse nor the touchpad appears in Device Manager after restarting, obtain the correct mouse or touchpad driver from the computer manufacturer.

References

1. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/input-devices/change-mouse-settings#find-a-mouse-pointer)
2. Mouse and keyboard problems in Windows | Microsoft Support
3. How to get my mouse cursor back - Microsoft Q&A
4. Fix touchpad problems in Windows | Microsoft Support