Can’t find the mouse pointer? Fix it in 60 seconds (Windows 11 + 10)
If your mouse pointer has suddenly become hard to spot, you’re not going mad — it’s usually just too small, too low-contrast, or it’s ending up on the wrong screen.
TL;DR (do these 3 things)
- Make the pointer bigger
- Change it to a high-contrast colour/style
- Turn on Mouse indicator so CTRL highlights your cursor
Watch the 60-second fix
Prefer to watch rather than read? In this quick video, I show you exactly which sliders to move to get the perfect high-visibility setup.
What I cover:
- Changing cursor size & colour
- Activating the "Visual Locator"
- Testing the new visibility
Windows 11: fix it all from one place
Go to: Settings → Accessibility → Mouse pointer and touch
1) Make the pointer bigger (fastest win)
Increase Size until it’s comfortable.
Tip: Most people stop too early. If you’re squinting, go bigger.
2) Make it a colour you can actually see
Pick a pointer style/colour that stands out (bright colours are great against white webpages).
3) Turn on “Mouse indicator” (the lifesaver)
Switch Mouse indicator to On.
Now press CTRL and Windows will show a visual highlight around your pointer so you can instantly find it.
Optional: Mouse pointer trails (if you still lose it)
Turn on Mouse pointer trails and keep it subtle (too long gets annoying).
Optional: Pointer shadow
Some people find a shadow helps the cursor stand out on busy backgrounds.
Windows 10: the quick version
Make it bigger / higher contrast
Go to: Settings → Ease of Access → Cursor & pointer
Increase size and choose a higher-contrast option.
Turn on CTRL-to-locate (legacy setting)
- Search Mouse settings → open Additional mouse options (or Mouse in Control Panel)
- Pointer Options
- Tick Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key
- Apply
If the pointer keeps disappearing, it’s usually one of these
You’ve got two screens (or a TV) connected
The cursor may be on the “other” display. Move the mouse hard left/right for a moment, or press CTRL.
Touchpad quirks (laptops)
Some laptops hide the cursor while typing, or the touchpad is overly sensitive.
Try: Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Touchpad (sensitivity / accidental touches).
Mouse connection / battery
- Wireless mouse: swap the battery, try another USB port for the receiver
- Bluetooth: toggle Bluetooth off/on and re-pair if it’s flaky
“Dad Mode” preset (recommended)
If you’re setting up a PC for a parent/grandparent, this combo works brilliantly:
- Pointer large
- Pointer high-contrast
- Mouse indicator ON (CTRL to find)
- Optional: short trails
➡️ Next guide: Make text bigger everywhere (without breaking websites)
When it’s worth getting help
If the cursor randomly vanishes, or the mouse/touchpad is misbehaving, it’s usually a quick fix — but not one you should have to wrestle with.