The issue of mouse disappearance is not uncommon for Mac or PC users, no matter what kind of operating system you are using. This can be truly aggravating since most computer users rely way more on mouse compared to the keyboard to navigate around.
- Imac Desktop Computers
- Best Mouse For Imac
- Imac Desktop Review
- How To Recharge Imac Desktop Mouse
- Imac Desktop Computers
Contents
- 9 Restart your Mac
Onsite repair for desktop computers: Request that a technician come to your work site. 21.5‑inch iMac, Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, Power cord, Lightning to. Apple's new iMac accessories – the Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad 2 and the Magic Keyboard – are a huge improvement over the models that were unchanged for years. These older models were all powered by AA batteries and looked a lot bulkier than Full Review. Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II (M2706, M2707) Platinum, gray and black Apple Desktop Bus Mouse II. In only its third major redesign in ten years, the Apple mouse shed its blocky exterior for rounded curves. The so-called tear-drop mouse, was essentially the same as its predecessor but with a new case subsequently held as the ideal shape of mice.
Where Did Your Cursor go?
When you notice it happens the first time, you might see that the cursor has disappeared all of a sudden. However, if you try to moving it to the left and right-clicking or dragging the mouse around, you’ll see that the device functions are still working, with the cursor simply going invisible.
Disappearing mouse cursor often happens due to one reason: the lack of memory space. Running out of available memory is usually caused by heavy applications such as video editing software or browsers. These programs hog relatively a lot of RAM space to function properly.
Additionally, it turns out that users with multi-monitor setup are mostly the victim of the disappearing pointer/cursor. Keep in mind that multiple displays setup won’t directly affect your RAM space since the display is largely managed by your GPU hardware. Rather, multi-monitor users are known to often multi-task, e.g., opening 50 tabs of Chrome while editing video at the same time, thus use more memory than the average users.
To address the issue of disappearing mouse cursor, there are few troubleshooting methods that you can try.
Try to right-click or shake the cursor using mouse or track pad
This would be the simplest solution that you should initially try. By either moving the cursor around or right-clicking, you may instantly recognize the location of the lost cursor. In this case, the cursor didn’t actually disappear. Instead, it might be deliberately hidden by an application to increase visibility when the mouse is not used for a set period or if you are doing a specific kind of activity.
Switch active app using the keyboard shortcut
If moving or clicking the mouse around doesn’t work, switch the active app using the keyboard by hitting Command + Tab together. This method can fix the problem if the bug is related to only specific apps instead of the whole system. If this does work for you, consider updating your app or use a different one.
Check to see if the mouse hardware is working properly
If you have a wireless mouse, there may be something wrong with the connection or the battery. Reconnect the USB receiver, recharge the battery, or try to use a different mouse if possible. That way, you can be sure it’s not the hardware that acting up.
Mouse pads can also affect mouse movement, especially if you are using an optical mouse. If you have an uneven or colorful mouse pad, try to replace it with a more smooth and plain black surface—you can also try to remove the mouse pad altogether—to see if it introduces any difference.
Bring the cursor to the Dock
Imac Desktop Computers
You might be confused about how you should move the cursor to the Dock—located at the bottom of your screen—if you can’t even see the cursor in the first place. However, you can drag your mouse or finger on the trackpad to the bottom, as if the cursor is there.
No matter where the cursor is supposed to be located, dragging it down would always make it reach the Dock. Once it is on the Dock, the pointer will most likely become visible.
Disable installed third-party screensaver
Third-party features often come as the culprit behind bugs when using any kind of computer. If you install any third-party screensaver, try disabling it for once or use the default screensavers provided by Apple.
Summon the Force Quit menu
Force Quit menu is generally used as an ‘escape hatch’ for Mac users who encounter any problem with some apps that seemingly have no visible exit. To summon the Force Quit menu, hold the Command + Option + Escape key at the same time.
Just like its name, Force Quit make it possible for you to forcefully end an app operation. But, you don’t actually need to end anything. Often, simply bring up the Force Quit menu is sufficient to make the cursor reappear.
Readjust the cursor size
Sometimes, it’s not that the cursor disappears, but rather, it’s too small for you to notice it. To re-adjust the cursor size, follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences app.
- Head over to Accessibility.
- On the sidebar located on the left side of the window, choose Display.
- There, you should find a slider that controls the Cursor size from ‘Normal’ to ‘Large.’ Don’t forget to also enable Shake mouse pointer to locate in order to make the cursor temporarily bigger to make it more noticeable when shaken.
Restart your Mac
When in doubt, restart your computer. Rebooting has always been the go-to solution for any kind of problem you’re having with a device. Otherwise, these troubleshooting methods can help you solve the case of your missing mouse.
Related Posts:
Your device isn't recognized by your Mac
Follow these steps if your mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't recognized by your Mac.
Make sure that your wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad is turned on
The Magic Mouse and Magic Mouse 2 have a slide switch on the bottom of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device. On the Magic Mouse, the green LED briefly lights up. On the Magic Mouse 2, green coloring is visible beneath the switch.
The Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 have a slide switch on the back edge of the device. Slide the switch to turn on the device (green coloring becomes visible). Earlier Apple Wireless Keyboard models have a power button on the right side of the device. Press the button and you see a green LED on the top of the device, near the button.
When you turn these devices on, they appear as connected in Bluetooth preferences and in the Bluetooth menu in your menu bar. If a device doesn't appear there, make sure it's charged or replace it batteries, and make sure it's been paired with your Mac.
Make sure that your device has been set up to work with your Mac
Learn how to pair your Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, Magic Trackpad 2 and earlier models of Apple wireless devices with your Mac.
Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on
Use your Mac notebook's built-in trackpad or a USB mouse to choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Bluetooth. Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
Refer to the table below for more information on determining the Bluetooth status. If the Bluetooth icon doesn't appear, or if the menu bar status continues to indicate that Bluetooth is off, restart your computer and then try to turn Bluetooth on again.
Bluetooth menu icon | Bluetooth status |
---|---|
Bluetooth is on, but no wireless devices are connected to the Mac. See the Make sure that your wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad is turned on section of this article. | |
Bluetooth is on and at least one wireless device is connected. | |
When this icon flashes, at least one wireless device has a low battery. Click the Bluetooth icon to identify the affected device, then recharge the device or replace its batteries. | |
Bluetooth is off. Click the Bluetooth icon using a USB mouse or built-in trackpad and select Turn Bluetooth On. | |
Bluetooth is offline or unavailable. Restart your Mac. If the Bluetooth status doesn’t change, disconnect all USB devices and restart your Mac again. |
Make sure that your devices are charged
Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard, Magic Keyboard with Numeric Keypad, and Magic Trackpad 2 have built-in rechargeable batteries. You can charge these devices by connecting them to a Mac or a USB power adapter using a Lightning to USB Cable. For the fastest battery charging performance, be sure your device is switched on when connected to the Lightning to USB Cable.
To check the battery level of these devices, click the Bluetooth icon in your Mac's menu bar, then select your device by name. If the battery level of any device is low, recharge the device. If the device isn’t showing, make sure the device is turned using the steps outlined above.
Turn the device off and on
If your Apple wireless mouse, keyboard, or trackpad isn't recognized by your Mac after following the tips above, try turning the wireless device off, waiting a few seconds, and then turning it back on.
Your mouse or keyboard intermittently stops responding
Best Mouse For Imac
- Click the mouse or trackpad or press a key on the keyboard to reconnect the device to the computer. It might take a moment for the device to respond.
- Check for wireless interference.
Your mouse doesn't scroll up or down or side to side
If you can't use your mouse to scroll through a web page or document, make sure that you're using the correct Multi-Touch gestures and have set up your scrolling speed preferences correctly.
Your mouse or trackpad doesn't track as expected
Apple Wireless Mouse, Magic Mouse, and Magic Mouse 2 can be used on most smooth surfaces. If tracking issues occur, try these options:
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Mouse. Set the ”Tracking speed” slider to adjust how fast the pointer moves as you move the mouse.
- Try using a different surface to see if tracking improves.
- Turn the mouse over and inspect the sensor window. Use compressed air to gently clean the sensor window if dust or debris is present.
- If multiple Bluetooth wireless devices are in use nearby, try turning them off one at a time to see if the issue improves.
Learn more what to do if your trackpad isn't tracking correctly.
Your keyboard has one or more keys that don't respond
Imac Desktop Review
Use the Keyboard Viewer to test whether the keyboard keys are responding correctly when they are pressed.
How To Recharge Imac Desktop Mouse
- Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
- Click the Input Sources tab.
- Make sure that the keyboard language that you use is listed on the left side. If it's not, click the add button (+) and choose from the languages that appear.
- Select the ”Show Input menu in menu bar” checkbox.
- Click the Keyboard tab, then select ”Show keyboard and emoji viewers in menu bar” checkbox, if present.
- From the Input menu in the menu bar, choose Show Keyboard Viewer. The Keyboard Viewer showing the keyboard layout appears on your display.
- Type the key on the keyboard that doesn’t respond and see if the corresponding key highlights on the Keyboard Viewer. If it does, that key is functioning correctly.
Imac Desktop Computers
If you enable the Mouse Keys feature, many keys might not respond as you expect. To turn off Mouse keys, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility. Choose Mouse & Trackpad from the list on the left side, then then deselect the Enable Mouse Keys checkbox.