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How to Fix Smooth Scrolling Not Working in Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

Experiencing issues with smooth scrolling in Windows 11 can be frustrating. Smooth scrolling helps make navigation through documents and web pages more fluid and less jarring. When it stops working, your scrolling experience feels choppy or inconsistent.

This guide will walk you through simple, easy-to-follow steps to fix smooth scrolling problems on your Windows 11 PC. We’ll start with basic checks and gradually move to more advanced solutions.

By following these instructions carefully, you can restore smooth scrolling and enjoy a better, more comfortable browsing and working experience.

Let’s dive in and troubleshoot the smooth scrolling issue together.

Quick Note Before You Begin

  • Make sure your mouse or touchpad drivers are up to date.
  • Check if the problem occurs only in specific apps or system-wide.
  • Confirm that Windows 11 itself is up to date to avoid known bugs.
  • Have basic knowledge of navigating Windows Settings and Device Manager.

Step 1: Restart Your PC

Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary glitches causing smooth scrolling to fail. Restarting refreshes system processes and clears minor errors.

  1. Click on the Start menu (Windows icon) at the bottom-left corner.
  2. Select the Power button.
  3. Click Restart.

After your PC restarts, check if smooth scrolling works as expected.

Step 2: Check Mouse or Touchpad Settings

Your mouse or touchpad settings control how scrolling behaves. Ensuring these settings are correct can fix smooth scrolling issues.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Click on Bluetooth & devices from the left menu.
  3. Select Mouse or Touchpad, depending on your input device.
  4. Look for options like Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them and ensure it is turned on.
  5. Adjust the Scrolling speed slider to a moderate level.

Try scrolling again to see if the smoothness has improved.

Step 3: Update Mouse or Touchpad Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause scrolling issues. Updating drivers ensures compatibility with Windows 11 and fixes bugs.

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
  3. Right-click your mouse or touchpad device and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. Windows will look for available updates and install them.
  5. Restart your PC after updating.

If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, visit your device manufacturer’s website for the latest driver downloads.

Step 4: Adjust Visual Effects for Smooth Scrolling

Windows includes visual effects that can impact scrolling performance. Enabling or tweaking these effects may help smooth scrolling.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter to open System Properties.
  3. Go to the Advanced tab.
  4. Under Performance, click Settings.
  5. In the Visual Effects tab, look for Smooth-scroll list boxes and ensure it is checked.
  6. Click Apply and then OK.

Test your scrolling again to see if it is smoother.

Step 5: Disable or Modify Browser Extensions (If Issue Occurs in Browsers)

If your smooth scrolling issue happens mainly in web browsers, certain extensions may interfere with scrolling behavior.

  1. Open your browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge, Firefox).
  2. Go to the extensions/add-ons menu (usually found under settings or toolbar).
  3. Disable all extensions temporarily.
  4. Restart your browser and check if smooth scrolling works.
  5. If scrolling improves, enable extensions one by one to identify the culprit.

Removing or updating the problematic extension can restore smooth scrolling.

Step 6: Use Windows Troubleshooter for Hardware and Devices

Windows includes a built-in troubleshooter that can detect and fix hardware-related problems affecting input devices.

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I).
  2. Go to System > Troubleshoot.
  3. Click on Other troubleshooters.
  4. Find Hardware and Devices and click Run.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

This tool can automatically fix issues related to your mouse or touchpad.

Step 7: Modify Registry Settings for Smooth Scrolling (Advanced)

If all else fails, adjusting the registry can help fix smooth scrolling. Be careful, as incorrect changes can cause system problems.

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPrecisionTouchPad
  3. Look for a DWORD named ScrollAnimationsEnabled.
  4. If it exists, double-click it and set its value to 1. If not, right-click, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it ScrollAnimationsEnabled, and set the value to 1.
  5. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

This tweak enables smooth scrolling animations at the system level.

FAQs About Smooth Scrolling Issues in Windows 11

Why does smooth scrolling suddenly stop working?

It can be caused by driver problems, recent Windows updates, incorrect settings, or conflicts with installed software or browser extensions.

Is smooth scrolling controlled by Windows or the application?

Both. Windows provides system-wide scrolling features, but individual applications or browsers may have their own scrolling settings affecting smoothness.

Can a faulty mouse cause smooth scrolling issues?

Yes, hardware malfunctions or damaged components in a mouse can disrupt scrolling behavior.

Do I need third-party software to fix smooth scrolling?

No, most issues can be resolved using Windows settings, drivers, and troubleshooting tools.

Will updating Windows help with scrolling problems?

Yes, updates often include fixes for hardware compatibility and performance issues, including scrolling.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps above and smooth scrolling still does not work, consider these final options:

  • Contact Microsoft Support: They can provide more in-depth assistance and remote help.
  • Visit your device manufacturer’s support page: For specific driver downloads or troubleshooting guides.
  • Consider resetting Windows: As a last resort, resetting your PC can fix deep system problems affecting device behavior.
  • Use an external mouse or touchpad: To rule out hardware failure, try using a different input device temporarily.

Conclusion

Smooth scrolling enhances the overall user experience in Windows 11 by making navigation more fluid. If it stops working, start with simple checks like restarting your PC and verifying device settings. Updating drivers and adjusting visual effects often resolve common issues.

For browser-specific problems, disabling extensions can help. Advanced users can tweak registry settings, but caution is advised. If none of these solutions work, seeking official support or resetting Windows are valid last steps.

By following this step-by-step guide, you should be able to restore smooth scrolling and enjoy a seamless, comfortable navigation experience once again.

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