Mouse scroll not working means the pointer moves and clicks as usual but the wheel does nothing, or the page jumps up and down in odd leaps. Some people see it in only one program, such as a spreadsheet or a browser tab, while the wheel works everywhere else.
That difference is the key clue. A wheel that fails everywhere is a hardware, driver or setting issue. A wheel that fails in one place is the program's problem. Below you will find both routes, plus the fix for a mouse roller that scrolls the wrong way. If the whole mouse is acting up, begin with mouse not working.
Common causes
1Dust and hair around the wheel
How to tellWheel feels rough, scrolls only one way, or skips when rolled slowly
What fixes itUnplug the mouse and clean around the wheel with a dry soft brush
2Wheel scroll amount set to a very small number
How to tellWheel moves a tiny bit per notch in every program
What fixes itSet lines to scroll to 3 or more in Settings, Mouse
3Scroll inactive windows or app setting
How to tellWheel works only on the window you click first
What fixes itTurn the inactive window scrolling option on in Mouse settings
4Mouse driver or software conflict
How to tellWheel stopped after an update or a new mouse program was installed
What fixes itReinstall the mouse in Device Manager and remove extra mouse tools
5Program-specific lock or mode
How to tellFails in one spreadsheet or document only; Scroll Lock may be on
What fixes itPress Scroll Lock, close the file and reopen, or try another file
6Worn wheel encoder
How to tellWheel jumps up and down while you roll in one direction, even in a clean mouse
What fixes itReplace the mouse; this part does not wear back
How to fix it, step by step
Test the wheel in two or three programs
Scroll on a web page, in a folder window and in a document. If it fails everywhere, carry on down the list. If it only fails in one program, skip to the section on single-app scroll problems below.
Click on the window before scrolling
Left click once on the page, then roll the wheel. Some programs only react when they have focus, and a click on a menu or a pop-up can take it away. This simple step cures a surprising number of cases.
Try another USB port or cable and test elsewhere
Plug the mouse into another port and see if the wheel responds. If you have a second computer, test there. A wheel that works elsewhere is a Windows setting or driver, while one that fails there is a hardware fault.
Check the scroll settings in Windows
Open Settings, then Bluetooth and devices, then Mouse. Look for "Roll the mouse wheel to scroll" and set it to Multiple lines at a time, with a setting of 3 or more. Turn on "Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them". On Windows 10 these are under Settings, then Devices, then Mouse.
Clean the wheel area carefully
Unplug or switch off the mouse. Use a dry soft brush, or short puffs of air, around the wheel slot. Roll the wheel while you clean to shake loose dust. Avoid soaking it with liquid, since moisture can reach the sensor and make things worse.
Reinstall the mouse driver
Right-click Start, choose Device Manager, expand "Mice and other pointing devices", uninstall the mouse entry and restart. Remove any extra mouse tool you added, then test the wheel with the basic Windows driver.
Update the program that misbehaves
If only one app has the problem, update it and restart it. In browsers, test in a private window to rule out a faulty add-on. Then try zooming or changing the page size, since some pages scroll inside a small box.
Use keyboard scrolling as a stop-gap
While you wait, use Page Up, Page Down, Space, the arrow keys or the scroll bar on the right. On a laptop you can also use the touchpad, covered in two finger scroll not working.
Mouse scroll not working properly: jumping and wrong direction
If the page leaps up when you roll down, the sensor inside the wheel (an encoder) is dirty or worn. Dust is the first suspect, so clean it first. If it comes back after cleaning, the part is on its way out and a new mouse is the sensible cure. If the page scrolls the opposite way to what you expect, the direction may be reversed in a setting. On Windows this is changed in mouse properties by the maker's software, or by a registry change, which is not advisable; instead, use the mouse maker's own support page.
You roll the wheel gently and the page jumps three screens down, then back up. You blow out the dust, and the wheel behaves again for a month before the jump returns. That is a worn wheel.
Scroll not working in a spreadsheet or one program
In spreadsheets, scrolling or arrow keys can stop because Scroll Lock is on, because a cell is in edit mode, or because panes are frozen at the top. Press Scroll Lock once, press Esc to leave edit mode, and look at the freeze setting in the View menu. In a browser, a web page with a broken style may lock scrolling, so reloading often fixes it. In a screenshot or remote tool, scroll capture can fail on pages that do not allow it; try capturing in smaller pieces.
Wireless and Bluetooth wheel problems
A weak battery can make the pointer work but let the wheel skip. Replace the battery and move the receiver closer. For Bluetooth mice, remove and add the mouse again. See Bluetooth not working if pairing itself fails.
Touchpad scroll and wheel are different faults
If the wheel is fine but scrolling on a laptop pad fails, the problem is in the pad's gesture setting, not the mouse. Read touchpad not working for the full pad guide. If the cursor itself is stuck, start with the laptop hub page at laptop not working.
Do not open a mouse to oil or bend the wheel parts. Most mice are cheap enough that replacing them is more reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my mouse scroll not working but clicks do?
The wheel has its own sensor and its own settings. Dust, a low scroll amount or a program setting can disable scrolling while buttons still work.
How do I fix a mouse wheel that scrolls up and down by itself?
Clean around the wheel and test on another computer. If it still jumps, the encoder is worn and the mouse needs replacing.
Why does scroll not work in spreadsheets?
Check Scroll Lock, leave cell edit mode with Esc and look for frozen panes. Also try another file to see if only one file has the problem.
Why is my mouse roller not working on a new mouse?
Test it in another port and another computer. A new mouse with a faulty wheel is a warranty case, so return it with the receipt.
Does a mouse driver affect scrolling?
Yes. A wrong or conflicting driver can disable the wheel. Uninstall the mouse in Device Manager and restart for a clean start.