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My cursor keeps disappearing (Win 11)

M Sigurd Hall 25 Reputation points
2025-11-12T13:29:00.0666667+00:00

I have the strangest problem with my desktop that I know isn't unique (my work laptop does it too). My cursor disappears after putting my computer to sleep and waking it up again, but not consistently. I will have the "find my cursor" option on (hitting the ctrl key), and it will show a random place on the screen(s). Moving my mouse doesn't change where the supposed cursor is. Only on restart does it go back to normal. Problem is that I might have browser pages up I'm still using. This may also occur more than once a day or as little as once a week.

Yes, I know restarting/shutting down more often is better for my desktop, so this is probably in general, better for the health of the computer, but it can be very annoying when I'm working on a document and can't remember if I saved or not since last logging in.

Any help is appreciated.

For those with laptops having the same issue, I know a simple fix. Open the start menu with the start key. Go to touchpad settings and toggle it off and on, and then it's resolved. Since I don't have a touchpad, however, this doesn't work for me.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
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  1. Grant Gamble 0 Reputation points
    2026-04-22T17:18:56.7766667+00:00

    This keeps happening to me. Here's what works for me: on a laptop, close and reopen the lid, on a desktop press Control-Alt-Delete, wiggle the mouse then cancel.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. M Sigurd Hall 25 Reputation points
    2025-11-13T02:12:51.6533333+00:00

    Windows is updated. This has been a problem since I "upgraded" from Windows 10 because it wasn't going to be supported anymore, so there is no time when my computer functioned "correctly" with Windows 11. Are you telling me that I'd have to image my drive and reinstall Windows on my computer to make it work at this point?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. JANSHER LIWAG 8,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-12T16:34:20.8933333+00:00

    Hi M,

    Thank you for posting, If the previous steps did not work on your Desktop. We recommend try to update your Windows check if this will getting the same problem.

    You can also try to restore your Windows 11 from the time your Mouse is working fine from your Desktop. But You need to back up your files before performing this steps.

    For more information you can check this article:

    System Restore

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/system-restore-a5ae3ed9-07c4-fd56-45ee-096777ecd14e

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  4. JANSHER LIWAG 8,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-12T15:16:29.01+00:00

    Hi M,

    Thank you for responding, If the steps did not help kindly try this another step below.

    If you’re using an external mouse, ensure it’s properly connected after waking the laptop. A loose USB connection or low battery in a wireless mouse could cause it to malfunction.

    Restarting the laptop after sleep might also temporarily resolve the issue.

    Ensure laptop’s drivers are up to date, Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause cursor issues. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website or use a driver update tool to check for the latest versions.

    Check your power management settings. Sometimes, the system disables the mouse or touchpad to save power during sleep mode. Click start button then search Device Manager and open using administrator access. Right-click your mouse or touchpad, select "Properties," and under the "Power Management" tab, uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power".

    I hope you find this information helpful. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

    Best regards,

    Jansher

  5. JANSHER LIWAG 8,840 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-11-12T14:23:49.7933333+00:00

    Hi M,

    Thank you for posting, I am here to help. I'm sorry to hear you're experiencing this issue. Possible cause of this is due to corrupted or outdated drivers

    Please follow this steps check if this will help.

    Click Start button then open settings. Click Devices and Select Mouse. Click on Additional mouse options then open the Pointer Options tab. Uncheck the option "Hide the mouse pointer while typing" then click Apply then OK to save changes.

    Now, check whether the mouse cursor appears this time. Let me know if this works. Thank you.

    Let me know how this goes. Looking forward to helping you out.  If you need more help please feel free to let me know. If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer".

    Best regards,

    Jansher

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