If the cursor disappeared on your Lenovo laptop running Windows 11, the touchpad was most likely turned off by a keyboard shortcut. Press the function key with the touchpad icon, usually F6 or Fn + F6 on Lenovo IdeaPad and Yoga models (it can also be F5 or F10 on others). If that doesn’t bring it back, turn the touchpad on in Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Touchpad, which you can reach with the keyboard alone as shown below.
Here are all the fixes, from quickest to most involved.
Fix 1: Press the touchpad key
Look along the top row of keys for an icon of a touchpad with a line through it. Press it, or press it together with Fn. A message may appear saying the touchpad is on or off.
Fix 2: Turn the touchpad on in Settings (keyboard only)
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Press Tab and use the arrow keys to select Bluetooth & devices, then press Enter.
- Tab to Touchpad and press Enter.
- Tab to the Touchpad switch and press Space to turn it on.
Tip: You can also press Windows, type touchpad, and press Enter to jump straight there.
Fix 3: Check the “mouse connected” setting
If the touchpad stops working when a USB or Bluetooth mouse is connected, expand the Touchpad setting and check Leave touchpad on when a mouse is connected.
Fix 4: Check Lenovo Vantage
Open Lenovo Vantage (or Lenovo Commercial Vantage on ThinkPads), go to Device > Input & Accessories, and make sure the touchpad is enabled. ThinkPads with a TrackPoint also have settings for disabling the touchpad here.
Fix 5: Restart and update drivers
- Restart the laptop: press Ctrl + Alt + Delete, tab to the power icon, and choose Restart.
- Install updates in Settings > Windows Update, including optional driver updates.
- In Device Manager (Windows + X, then M), expand Human Interface Devices or Mice and other pointing devices, and update or reinstall the touchpad driver.
- Or download the touchpad driver (often ELAN or Synaptics) for your exact model from Lenovo’s support site.
Fix 6: The cursor is there but hidden
- Plug in a USB mouse to test. If it works, the problem is the touchpad.
- Press Ctrl to show the pointer’s location, if Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key is on in Mouse > Additional mouse settings > Pointer Options.
- Move to another monitor: press Windows + P and choose PC screen only if the cursor wandered to a disconnected display.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Lenovo touchpad keep turning off?
You may be pressing the touchpad key accidentally, or the “turn off touchpad when a mouse is connected” option is on.
Can I lock the touchpad key so it doesn’t switch?
Some Lenovo models let you swap function keys with Fn + Esc (FnLock) or in the BIOS, which changes how the key behaves.
Does this apply to Windows 10?
Yes. In Windows 10, the setting is under Settings > Devices > Touchpad.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.