4 Fixes for When Mouse Cursor Turns White in Google Docs or Word
The mouse cursor or pointer on your Windows computer changes color based on the app you are using and the background color it is set to. For example, if you are browsing the web, you will see a white pointer or arrow. But the moment you click inside a Google Docs or Microsoft Word file that has a white background, it turns into a black cursor. Many users face an issue where the mouse cursor turns white inside Docs or Word making it difficult to see it while typing and editing documents.
Table of Contents
1. Change Text Select Settings for Mouse
When mouse cursor turns white in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it makes it difficult to scroll, type, edit, and select words or phrases. You don’t know where the cursor is making it difficult to work. Here’s a simple fix.
1.PressWindows+Ikeys on the keyboard to open Settings.
2.Search for and openMouse Settingsfrom the search bar in the upper left corner.
3.Click onAdditional mouse settingsunder Related settings menu.
4.A pop-up will open. Under thePointerstab, selectText Selectoption from the list, and click on theBrowsebutton at the bottom.
5.FindBeam_rin the list and double-click on the same to select it.
6.Next click onApplyandOKand close the pop-up.
That’s it. Now open Word or Google Docs app and check if the cursor still turns white or not. If not, then the issue is resolved. If it does, follow the steps below.
Prot Tip:You canconvert images to text right inside Wordon your computer.
2. Show Pointer When Ctrl Key Is Pressed to Find It Quickly
This is a little-known hack that will help you find the pointer no matter where it is when you press the left Ctrl or control key on the keyboard.
Go back toSettings > Mouse Settings > Additional mouse settings. Click on the Pointer Options tab this time and enableShow location of pointer when I press the CTRL keyoption.
you may also achieve thesame result using PowerToysif installed. This open-source utility can be used to do a lot more than just find where your mouse cursor or point is hiding though.
Did You Know:You cancreate a fillable form inside Wordso users don’t need to leave.
3. Disable Hide Pointer While Typing Option
Maybe the mouse cursor is not turning white but is hidden from view when you open Microsoft Word or Google Docs or any other text editor for that matter.
Again, go back toSettings > Mouse Settings > Additional mouse settings. UnderPointer Optionstab, uncheckHide pointer while typingoption.
Note:You canuse Help Me Writewhich is powered by AI to write faster and better on Google Docs as well as Gmail.
4. Change Mouse Pointer Scheme
One Microsoft user found a neat way to fix themouse cursor turning white issueby changing the scheme altogether.
FromSettings > Mouse Settings > Additional mouse settings > Pointer tab, select the Scheme asWindows Black (system scheme).
Point in the Right Direction
More often than not, it is a system setting that leads to the cursor turning white in text editors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs. All you have to do is tweak mouse settings to see which one works for you. Hope it helped.
Gaurav Bidasaria
Gaurav is an editor here at TechWiser but also contributes as a writer. He has more than 10 years of experience as a writer and has written how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and in-depth explainers on Windows, Android, web, and cloud apps, and the Apple ecosystem.
He loves tinkering with new gadgets and learning about new happenings in the tech world.
He has previously worked on Guiding Tech, Make Tech Easier, and other prominent tech blogs and has over 1000+ articles that have been read over 50 million times.
