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Why Is My Mouse Pointer Disappearing in Outlook Classic and How Can I Fix It?
Understanding the Outlook Classic Cursor Issue
Users of Outlook Classic have recently encountered a frustrating software bug introduced by Microsoft where the mouse cursor unexpectedly disappears. This issue, which primarily affects Outlook 365 Classic users, also impacts other Microsoft 365 applications like OneNote to a lesser extent. When hovering over the Outlook window or user interface, the pointer becomes invisible, making it difficult for users to select emails, copy text, or navigate the application effectively.
Although the cursor is hidden, it is still active. Users can verify this by observing the email messages in their list; the background color of an email will change when the invisible cursor hovers over it. This bug has been a point of discussion in Microsoft Q&A forums since early December 2025, with many users expressing their inability to perform basic tasks.
Microsoft’s Acknowledgment and Support
After approximately two months of user reports, Microsoft officially acknowledged the bug in a support document published on February 19, 2026. The Outlook team is currently investigating the issue and plans to release a patch to resolve it permanently.
In the interim, Microsoft advises affected users to contact their Microsoft 365 tenant administrator to open a support case. When doing so, it is crucial to attach the relevant WebView2 WPR traces to assist the Outlook Support Team with their analysis. This diagnostic data will help expedite the escalation and resolution process.
Temporary Workarounds
While waiting for an official fix, Microsoft has provided a few workarounds to help users regain visibility of their mouse pointer:
- Select an Email: Hover over the message list until an email’s color changes, then click to select it, which may prompt the cursor to reappear.
- Switch Applications: Open PowerPoint, click within an editable window, and then return to Outlook to see if the pointer is restored.
- Restart the System: If the previous steps fail, restarting the computer can temporarily resolve the issue.