Mouse Cursor Disappears on Mac? How to Fix

Have you ever been in a situation where the mouse cursor disappears on your Mac? If you have, you are not alone. In fact, many Mac owners have reported that the mouse cursor keeps disappearing when they use professional software like Photoshop or Final Cut Pro, which interrupts their work. 

Fix Mouse Cursor Disappears on Mac

The section below will show how to fix the mouse cursor that keeps disappearing on your Mac. Before doing anything, try restarting your Mac to see if the problem has been fixed. If it does not, make sure you read on. 

Method 1: Check Your Mouse

If your mouse keeps disappearing on your Mac, the easiest way to find it is to shake it or move your finger on the trackpad. There is a good chance that your mouse will show up again or may increase in size. Alternatively, you can perform a right-click on your Mac’s screen. Doing so will make the mouse cursor appear again. If it does not, move on to the next solution.

Method 2: Hover the Mouse Cursor to Dock

The dock is the gathering place for all of your recently-visited apps. If your mouse cursor does not show up, try bringing it to Dock to see if it reappears. 

Method 3: Use Mission Control to Find Your Mouse Cursor

Mission Control offers an overview of all active windows on your Mac. The main idea behind this feature is to keep your current windows open on one desktop while ensuring all the necessary apps are running in the background. In this case, you can use Mission Control to locate your missing cursor. You can use one of the following methods below to activate Mission Control. 

  1. Use the Mission Control Key (F3).
  2. Press Ctrl + Arrow up.
  3. Swipe up with 4 fingers on the trackpad

Method 4: Switch to a Different App

Another solution to fix the missing mouse cursor is to use a different app. As the problem is limited to a specific app, try switching to a different app to see if the mouse cursor will reappear. If it does, go back to where you left off. 

Method 5: Enable the Force Quit Menu

If the mouse cursor is still missing, the next step is to trigger the Force Quit menu. To do it, use the keyboard combination: Cmd (⌘) + Option (⌥) + ESC. This should bring up the missing mouse cursor. 

Method 6: Ensure Your Mouse is Fully Charged

If you are using a wireless mouse, ensure it has enough charge. If it does not, replace the batteries or recharge them if your mouse has a rechargeable internal battery. 

Method 7: Reset the NVRAM 

Most modern Macs use NVRAM, which serves the same purpose as PRAM. Resetting the NVRAM is one of the best ways to fix bugs and glitches related to boot-up discs, screen resolution, audio, and more. The steps to reset the NVRAM change depending on your current model. 

M1 Macs. Shut down your Mac completely, wait a few seconds, and turn it back on.

Intel Macs.

  1. Shut down your Mac.
  2. Press the Power button and hold down Command-Option-P-R when the device is powering up.
  3. Keep those keys pressed for 20 seconds. Release them and let your Mac boot up normally. 
  4. Now, check if your mouse is working properly.

Method 8: Using Your Trackpad

Also read: How To Fix Frozen Cursor On MacBook

If you now have a Bluetooth mouse connected to your Mac, try switching to the trackpad to see if the problem is fixed. If it persists, install a third-party mouse locator app. Some apps like Simple Mouse Locator allow you to locate your missing mouse cursor. 

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