Google Chrome Mouse Scroll Not Working

Having trouble with your mouse scroll wheel not working in Google Chrome? Check out this blog post for solutions and troubleshooting tips. In this blog post, I explain why and how to fix the mouse not scrolling problem.

Common Issues with Google Chrome Mouse Scroll Not Working

Users of Google Chrome have been reporting issues with the scroll wheel not functioning correctly. This problem can be frustrating and hinder the browsing experience. In this section, we will explore some possible reasons for the scroll wheel issue and discuss how to identify if the problem is limited to Chrome or affects the entire system.

This issue has prompted them to seek solutions to restore the standard functionality of their mouse scroll wheel. Some users have even reported that the problem occurs specifically when using Chrome in the Modern user interface (Metro mode).

Possible reasons for the scroll wheel issue

Several potential causes for the scroll wheel not working in Google Chrome exist. One possibility is incorrect mouse configuration, where the settings may need adjustment to ensure proper scrolling functionality. Another factor could be specific extensions blocking the scroll wheel’s operation within the Chrome browser. Additionally, hardware acceleration, which enhances graphical performance, may interfere with the scroll wheel’s responsiveness.

Identifying if the problem is limited to Chrome or affects the whole system

It is essential to determine whether the scroll wheel issue is isolated to Google Chrome or if it affects other applications and the entire system. Users can gain insight into the scope of the issue by checking if the problem persists in other browsers or software. If the scroll wheel functions correctly outside of Chrome, it indicates that the problem is specific to the browser.

Users can try scrolling in different applications, such as Microsoft Word or File Explorer, to troubleshoot this. If the scroll wheel works fine in these applications but not in Chrome, it confirms that the problem is limited to the browser. On the other hand, if the scroll wheel fails to function in other applications, it also suggests a broader system issue that may require further investigation.

Google Chrome Mouse Scroll Not Working, how to fix?

If you are experiencing issues with your scroll wheel not working in Google Chrome, there are several solutions you can try to resolve the problem. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the issue:

Check the Mouse Settings in the Control Panel

One possible cause for the scroll wheel not working in Google Chrome is incorrect mouse settings. To check your mouse settings in the control panel, follow these steps:

1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer.


2. Click on “Hardware and Sound.”


3. Navigate to the “Mouse” settings.


4. Click on the “Wheel” settings.


5. Ensure that the scroll wheel is enabled and configured correctly.


6. Make any necessary adjustments and save your settings.

Disable Smooth Scrolling in Chrome

Smooth scrolling in Google Chrome may sometimes interfere with the functionality of the scroll wheel. To disable smooth scrolling, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.


2. Type “chrome://flags” in the address bar and press Enter.


3. Search for “smooth scrolling” in the flags menu.


4. Disable the smooth scrolling option.


5. Relaunch Chrome for the changes to take effect.

Remove Recently Added Extensions

Extensions added to Google Chrome can sometimes cause conflicts and affect the scroll wheel functionality. To remove recently added extensions, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.


2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.


3. Go to “Extensions” and select “Manage Extensions.”


4. Identify any recently added extensions that may be causing the issue.


5. Click on the “Remove” button to remove it.


6. Restart Chrome and check if the scroll wheel is working properly.

Turn off Hardware Acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that can enhance performance but may also cause compatibility issues with specific hardware components. To turn off hardware acceleration in Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome.


2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.


3. Go to “Settings.”


4. Under the “System” section, toggle off the “Use hardware acceleration when available” option.


5. Restart Chrome and see if the scroll wheel starts working.

Reset the Chrome Settings to Default

Resetting Google Chrome settings to their default values can help fix various issues, including problems with the scroll wheel. Here’s how to reset Chrome settings:

1. Open Google Chrome.


2. Click on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.


3. Go to “Settings” and scroll down to the bottom.


4. On the left, click on “Reset settings.”


5. Under the “Reset settings” section, click “Restore settings to their original defaults.”


6. Confirm the reset and restart Chrome.

Uninstall and Reinstall Google Chrome

If none of the above solutions work, you can try uninstalling and reinstalling Google Chrome. Here’s how:

1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer.


2. Navigate to “Programs” or “Programs and Features.”


3. Locate Google Chrome in the list of installed programs.


4. Right-click on Google Chrome and select “Uninstall.”


5. Follow the prompts to uninstall Chrome.


6. Download the latest version of Google Chrome from the official website.


7. Install Chrome and check if the scroll wheel is functioning correctly.

Update Windows and Mouse Driver

Outdated Windows or mouse drivers can sometimes cause compatibility issues with Google Chrome. To update your Windows and mouse driver, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the menu.


2. Expand the “Mice and other pointing devices” category.


3. Right-click on your mouse device and select “Update driver.”


4. Choose the option to search automatically for updated driver software.


5. If any updates are found, follow the on-screen instructions to install them.


6. Additionally, make sure your Windows operating system is up to date by installing any available updates.

Disconnect and Reconnect the Mouse

Sometimes, simply disconnecting and reconnecting your mouse can help resolve issues with the scroll wheel. Follow these steps:

1. Unplug your mouse from the computer.


2. Please wait for a few seconds, and then plug it back in.


3. Allow your computer to recognize the mouse and check whether the scroll wheel works.

Install the SmoothScroll Extension

Installing the SmoothScroll extension may help resolve scroll wheel issues using a mouse. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Google Chrome.


2. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search “SmoothScroll”


3. Click on the “Add to Chrome” button to install the extension.


4. Restart Chrome and see if the scroll wheel starts working.

Create a New User Profile

Sometimes, a corrupted user profile can lead to mouse issues, such as scrolling in Google Chrome. Creating a new user profile can help resolve this issue and provide a fresh start for the browser.

To create a new user profile in Google Chrome, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Chrome and click on the three-dot menu icon.


2. In the top-right corner, click on the profile icon.


3. Click on “Add” to create a new user profile.


4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the new user profile.

Once you have created a new user profile, check if the memory usage improves. If so, you can transfer your bookmarks and other necessary data to the new profile and continue using it.

Assistance or Using Dedicated Tools to Fix Windows Problems

If none of the above solutions work, seeking further assistance or using dedicated tools to fix more severe Windows problems may be necessary. Professional assistance or specialized software can help diagnose and resolve underlying issues that may be causing the scroll wheel problem in Google Chrome.

Remember always to keep your operating system, drivers, and browser up to date to ensure optimal performance and compatibility. Here is how to easily fix problems in Windows.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and type Command Prompt.


2. Right-click on the Command Prompt application and select Run as administrator.


3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow


4. Wait for the scan to complete. If any corrupted system files are found, the SFC tool will attempt to repair them automatically.

Once the repair process is complete, restart your computer and check if the mouse scrolling issue in Google Chrome has been resolved.

I hope this helped. Thank you for reading!

Learn more: 5 tips to make Google Chrome faster in Windows 11.