Dec 07, 2020 If you find that your games keep minimizing when playing on a single monitor, you might be accidentally clicking in the pane of your second display. Some games don’t lock the boundaries of their.
A few times, during regular use, I found that the mouse cursor disappears on my Mac. It is a random thing and not limited to any specific app, or a particular version of macOS. One thing that I have observed is that the mouse cursor most likely disappears when I use heavy software like Photoshop, and have connected multiple displays. The mouse pointer also keeps disappearing if I have opened too many tabs in Safari or Chrome. It may even happen after you update to the latest macOS version. Let’s check out the ways to fix it…
My Cursor Keep Disappearing on Macbook – How to Fix It
Shake your Mouse or Move Finger Quickly on Trackpad
This is the easiest way to find the disappeared mouse cursor. All you have to do is to shake the mouse or move the finger on your trackpad rapidly. The lost mouse cursor will appear on the screen and may also increase in size so that you can easily see it.
Right Click on Mac
One of the easiest ways to locate your vanished mouse cursor is to right-click. When you right-click, the mouse cursor is immediately visible.
Try to Bring Mouse Cursor to Dock
Mouse On Macbook Not Working
I agree that you are not able to see the mouse pointer, but on the trackpad or using the mouse, act as if you are moving down to the Dock. Once the vanished mouse pointer on the Dock, it will be visible.
Mission Control Fixes Disappearing Cursor on Mac
When you are playing a full-screen video on YouTube or working in a full-screen app, the right-click method may not bring success. This is where accessing Mission Control on Mac can help you locate the mouse cursor.
To enter Mission Control:
- Click the Mission Control key (F3) from top row or Touch Bar, or
- Press Control + Arrow up (△) key, or
- Swipe up from four (or three) fingers on Trackpad
Switch to Different App or Finder to Relocate Hidden Mouse Cursor
Press Command (⌘) + tab to quickly switch to a different app or Finder. You will see the mouse cursor. Now go back to the app you were working on.
Bring the Force Quit Menu
Mouse Not Working In Game Second Monitor Mac Pro
On your keyboard press Command (⌘) + Option (⌥) + esc. Force Quit Applications pop-up comes up. You do not have to quit any app. Just doing this brings up the hidden mouse cursor.
Adjust the Size of the Mouse Cursor on Mac
macOS lets you set the mouse pointer size according to your liking. To increase the cursor size launch System Preferences → Accessibility → Display from the left sidebar → Cursor → drag the Cursor size slider.
Also, enable Shake mouse pointer to locate.
You may also launch Siri from top right in the menu bar or press and hold Command (⌘) + Space Bar. Now ask Siri ‘Increase mouse pointer size.‘
Disable Third-Party Screensavers on Mac
If you repeatedly face the issue of mouse cursor disappearance, then try disabling or uninstalling any third party screensaver apps you use.
Turn Off Keyboard Shortcuts to Zoom
Accessibility features are beneficial, but they may cause little interferences here and there. Disabling keyboard shortcuts to zoom is a good hack to address mouse cursor automatically hiding.
Launch System Preferences → Accessibility → Zoom → make sure everything is unchecked here.
Check Firmware Update for Third-Party Mouse and Trackpad
If you are using a non-Apple peripheral, visit their website or ask the company if there are any pending drivers update to improve compatibility and fix glitches.
Check Battery of the Connected Mouse and External Trackpad
Replace the removable battery or charge your Mouse and Trackpad if it has a rechargeable internal battery.
Restart the Mac to Bring Back Mouse Cursor
If none of the solutions worked for you, try restarting your macOS device. A restart usually fixes these temporary issues. Click on the Apple logo () from top left and select Restart.
Reset the NVRAM or PRAM and SMC
NVRAM: Non-volatile Random-access Memory
PRAM: Parameter Random-access Memory
SMC: System Management Controller
NVRAM and PRAM store some specific settings in a location that macOS can access quickly, like designated startup disk, display resolution, or speaker volume.
SMC is a vital chip on Intel based Macs that control small hardware components and processes like keyboards, fans, thermal and power management, battery charging, hibernation, etc.
If your mouse cursor keeps disappearing on Mac, try to reset the System Management Controller and NVRAM/PRAM.
Try a Third-Party Mouse Locator App
If this issue persists, you may install a third party application that helps you find your cursor. One app you may try is Simple Mouse Locator. It is a paid app but not updated since 2015. Try it. If it doesn’t work for you, request a refund!
Summing Up…
These were some of the ways to get the cursor back on your Mac. Finally, I recommend that you learn some keyboard shortcuts for macOS. If you have time, also check out macOS Dock shortcuts. They will surely improve your productivity and make your experience swift and enjoyable.
You may also like to read…
What are your thoughts on this article? Share your feedback with us in the comment section.
Nikhil runs iGB’s official YouTube channel. He is the official lensman of iGB and GB’s small studio is Nikhil’s playground, where he does all wonders with his remarkable signature. When Nikhil is not in his studio, you may spot him in a gourmet restaurant, chomping his way through some delicious food. He is a great traveler, who can go for long drives in search of good food.
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/nikhil/How to Manage Website Settings in iOS 13 Safari on iPhone and iPad
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/nikhil/
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/nikhil/How to Fix 'iMessage Needs to Be Enabled to Send This Message' Issue
- https://www.igeeksblog.com/author/nikhil/
Below is my 'standard description' about multiple monitors. The part you are most interested in is about the Displays Arrangement tab. Basically you want to line up the monitor arrangment in Arrangement to the way you prefer it.
--------------
Arrangements, Menu Bar, Extended Displays, and Mirrored Displays
When you have multiple monitors only one monitor is designated as the 'main' monitor. That's the one with the menu bar.
If you look at the Arrangement tab in your Displays preferences you will see both monitors. One will have a little white 'menu bar' on it. That's your main monitor. You can drag the little menu bar to the other monitor if you wish to make it the main monitor.
You cannot make both monitors main monitors. However there is a third party app called MenuEverywhere that allows you to do that (it has mixed reviews).
Your two monitors can be spatially arranged with the Arrangement in Displays as well. Drag the monitors around each other to define their relationship. Then you can drag the mouse or windows across with in that 'space'. This is extended desktop mode and I recommend that to be able to use all the available screen real estate. However there is a checkbox in the Arrangement to run in mirrored mode. Now the two images are identical on both screens albeit the max screen size is determined by the smallest screen in the mirrored set. You would of course have the menu bar on both screens since they are mirrors of each other. But I think it's a waste of good screen real estate.
Jun 6, 2012 12:36 PM
Comments are closed.