How can I get my cursor back on my Dell laptop running Windows 10?

To address the issue of a missing cursor on your Dell laptop running Windows 10, follow these steps:

1. Check Touchpad Functionality: Look for the touchpad function key on your keyboard, often marked with an icon resembling a touchpad. Press it along with the ‘Fn’ key to toggle the touchpad on and off.
2. Update Drivers: Go to the Device Manager, find ‘Mice and other pointing devices’, right-click your touchpad, and choose ‘Update driver’. This can sometimes resolve compatibility issues.
3. Disable HID Compliant Mouse: Sometimes, disabling and re-enabling the HID-compliant mouse in Device Manager can bring the cursor back.
4. Run Hardware Troubleshooter: Use Windows’ built-in troubleshooters. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’ > ‘Troubleshoot’ and run the hardware troubleshooter.
5. External Mouse: Try connecting an external mouse to see if that brings the cursor back. This can help determine if the issue is with the touchpad.

These steps should resolve the missing cursor issue or at least point you in the right direction for determining the cause.

I’ve had this problem on multiple occasions. Here are some advanced tactics you can try:

1. Command Prompt Trick: Open Command Prompt as an admin, and type sfc /scannow, then hit Enter. This will scan for system file issues.
2. Registry Edit: As a last resort, you might edit the registry. Type regedit in the run dialog, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System, and check if there’s anything out of place or a disable policy for the touchpad.
3. Professional Help: If none of these work, it might be time to contact Dell support or a professional technician.

I hope something here resolves your issue!

I had a similar issue once, and here’s what worked for me:

1. Safe Mode: Boot into Safe Mode. Sometimes, third-party software conflicts can disable the cursor. If it works in Safe Mode, you can deduce that something you installed recently might be causing it.
2. Touchpad Drivers Rollback: If a recent update caused the issue, go to Device Manager > Touchpad > Properties > Driver tab and select ‘Roll Back Driver’.
3. BIOS Settings: Check the BIOS settings. Sometimes the touchpad might be disabled at the BIOS level. Restart your laptop, press F2 (or another key depending on your model) during the boot-up to enter BIOS, and ensure the touchpad is enabled.

These worked like a charm for me; hopefully, they’ll help you too!

I feel your pain. Here are some techie solutions you can try:

1. Power Reset: Sometimes, a full power reset can resolve odd behavior. Shut down your laptop, unplug it, remove the battery (if possible), and hold the power button for about 20 seconds.
2. Use Windows Recovery: If you have a restore point from before the issue started, you can roll back to that point. Go to ‘Control Panel’ > ‘System and Security’ > ‘System’ > ‘System Protection’ > ‘System Restore’.
3. BIOS Update: Update your BIOS to the latest version. Check Dell’s support website for updates specific to your laptop model. An outdated BIOS could sometimes cause hardware issues.

Tech-intensive, but effective!

This is maddening, I know. Here’s what you can try:

1. Visual Inspection: First, ensure there’s no debris or dirt on the touchpad. Clean it with a soft cloth.
2. Windows Settings: Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Devices’ > ‘Touchpad’, and make sure the touchpad is turned on.
3. Check for Windows Updates: Ensure Windows is up to date. Sometimes, updates can fix such glitches.
4. Reinstall Touchpad Driver: From Device Manager, right-click the touchpad, choose ‘Uninstall device’, and then restart your computer. Windows will reinstall the driver.
5. Third-party Software: Some third-party software can cause conflicts. Identify any recent installations and try temporarily uninstalling them.

These have a good chance of restoring your cursor functionality and getting your productivity back on track.