Is Excel moving sideways instead of down when you scroll? That usually means Scroll Lock is turned on. It’s one of the most confusing Excel issues—especially on laptops where there’s no obvious Scroll Lock key.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to disable Scroll Lock in Excel on Windows laptops (Dell, HP, Lenovo) and Mac, including shortcuts and permanent fixes.
What Is Scroll Lock in Excel?
When Scroll Lock is enabled:
- Arrow keys scroll the worksheet instead of moving cells
- The cursor appears “stuck”
- Excel navigation feels broken
The good news? Turning it off takes seconds once you know how.
Fastest Way: How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel (Keyboard)
Method 1: Scroll Lock Key (If Available)
- Press Scroll Lock (ScrLk) once
That’s it. Excel should return to normal immediately.
👉 Works if your keyboard has a dedicated Scroll Lock key.
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel on Laptop (No Scroll Lock Key)
Most laptops don’t have a visible Scroll Lock key. Here’s what to do.
Method 2: On-Screen Keyboard (Best Laptop Fix)
This works for:
- Dell
- HP
- Lenovo
- Any Windows laptop
Steps:
- Press Windows + R
- Type
oskand hit Enter - When the On-Screen Keyboard opens, click ScrLk
- If it’s highlighted, clicking it will turn Scroll Lock OFF
✅ This fixes Scroll Lock in Excel sheet instantly
Brand-Specific Laptop Fixes
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel on Dell Laptop
- Try Fn + S or Fn + F12
- If not working, use the On-Screen Keyboard
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel on HP Laptop
- Press Fn + C or Fn + K
- Or disable it using OSK
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel on Lenovo Laptop
- Press Fn + K or Fn + Shift
- If unavailable, use the OSK method
These shortcuts vary by model, so OSK is the most reliable.
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel Shortcut (Guaranteed)
The most reliable shortcut on Windows laptops:
Windows + R → type osk → click ScrLk
This works even if your keyboard doesn’t show Scroll Lock.
How to Disable Scroll Lock in Excel on Mac
Mac keyboards don’t use Scroll Lock the same way, but Excel for Mac can still show similar behavior.
Fix for Mac:
- Go to System Settings
- Open Keyboard
- Check for custom key mappings
- Restart Excel
If scrolling still behaves oddly, quitting and reopening Excel usually resolves it.
How to Permanently Disable Scroll Lock in Excel
Scroll Lock isn’t an Excel setting—it’s a keyboard state. But you can prevent future issues:
- Avoid pressing Fn combinations randomly
- Disable Scroll Lock via OSK when it appears
- Use external keyboards carefully
There’s no native Excel option to permanently disable Scroll Lock, but these steps minimize triggers.
Why This Happens So Often on Laptops
Scroll Lock is often enabled accidentally by:
- Function key shortcuts
- External keyboards
- Remote desktop sessions
Once you know where to look, it’s an easy fix.
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Great for users working across devices.
Quick FAQ (Featured Snippets & AI Overviews)
How do I disable Scroll Lock in Excel?
Press the Scroll Lock key or use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to turn it off.
How to disable Scroll Lock in Excel on a laptop?
Open OSK (Windows + R → osk) and click ScrLk to disable it.
How to disable Scroll Lock in Excel permanently?
You can’t disable it permanently in Excel, but avoiding Fn shortcuts and using OSK prevents it.
Why does Excel scroll sideways instead of moving cells?
Scroll Lock is enabled. Turn it off to restore normal cell movement.
Does this work for Dell, HP, and Lenovo laptops?
Yes. The OSK method works on all laptop brands.
Final Thoughts
If Excel suddenly starts acting weird, Scroll Lock is almost always the culprit. Now you know how to disable Scroll Lock in Excel—on laptops, desktops, Windows, and Mac—without wasting time or reinstalling anything.
For more quick tech fixes and Excel tips, keep visiting Multicare Technical 🚀