If your arrow keys on your Windows computer aren’t working, don’t worry! There are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common causes of this keyboard issue and how to resolve them. We will also provide a few helpful tips on how to prevent this from happening in the future.
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Why are Windows Arrow Keys Not Working?
There are a few different reasons why your arrow keys may not be working.
- One of the most common causes is a conflict with another program. For example, if you have a program that uses the arrow keys for shortcuts, it can interfere with other programs.
- Another common cause is a hardware issue. If your keyboard is not properly plugged into your computer, it can cause the keys to not work.
- It might be possible that the keys are stuck. If this is the case, you can try cleaning your keyboard or using a compressed air can to clean it out.
- It’s also possible that the issue is with your computer’s drivers. This is particularly common if you’re using an older computer.
- Lastly, this issue can also be caused by a software glitch. If your Windows operating system is not up to date, it can cause problems with your keyboard.
How to fix Windows Arrow Keys Not Working?
If Windows arrow keys are not working for you, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the problem.
Clean your Keyboard
If you think the problem might be with your keyboard, the first thing you can do is try cleaning it. You can use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the keys. If your keyboard is really dirty, you can use a mild soap and water solution to clean it.
Check Hardware issues
If you’re having issues with your arrow keys, it’s also worth checking to see if there are any hardware problems. First, make sure that your keyboard is properly plugged into your computer. If it is, try unplugging it and plugging it back in.
If you’re using a wireless keyboard, make sure the batteries are charged. Try using a different keyboard if the problem persists.
If you’re still having problems, it’s possible that there is a problem with your computer’s drivers. This is particularly common if you’re using an older computer.
Update Keyboard Driver
If you think the problem might be with your keyboard driver, you can try updating it. Here are the steps to update the keyboard driver on Windows:
- Right-click on the Start button, and select Device Manager from the list.
- Expand the Keyboard driver section.
- Right-click on your keyboard and select Update driver.
- Next, select Search automatically for drivers.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver.
Run Keyboard Troubleshooter
If you’re still having problems, Microsoft has a keyboard troubleshooter that can help. Here are the steps to run the troubleshooter:
- Click on the Start button and open Settings.
- Switch to the System tab, and select Troubleshoot on the right.
- Next, choose Other troubleshooters.
- Under Other troubleshooters, click on the Run button next to Keyboard. This will start the keyboard troubleshooting and fix any detected problem.
Disable the Scroll Lock key
The Scroll key locking might be the cause of problems with the windows arrow keys not working in Excel. When the Scroll key is locked, pressing any arrow key on the keyboard will instead move the whole worksheet rather than a single cell. If you only want to move between different cells using the arrow keys, make sure Scroll Lock is disabled.
The Scroll Lock key is typically located close to the Pause key. If your keyboard lacks a Scroll Lock key, you can instead use the On-Screen Keyboard to turn it off. Here’s how to do it:
- On your Windows system, press the Windows key + Ctrl key + O keys combination to launch the on-screen keyboard.
- On the on-screen keyboard, look for the ScrLk button on the right-bottom and click on it to disable it.
Summing Up
If your keyboard arrow keys are not working, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the problem. The first thing you can do is clean your keyboard, as dirt and dust can cause keys to stick. If the problem persists, you can update your keyboard driver or run the built-in keyboard troubleshooter. Additionally, if you’re using Excel, make sure the Scroll Lock key is turned off.
We hope this article helped you fix the problem with your arrow keys. If you have any other questions or suggestions, please let us know in the comments below.
If your arrow keys are not working, you can try restarting your computer or checking for hardware issues. Additionally, you can try using a different keyboard to see if that fixes the problem.
One possible reason why your arrow keys are not working in Excel is that the Scroll Lock key is turned on. When the Scroll Lock key is turned on, pressing any arrow key will instead move the whole worksheet rather than a single cell.
The Scroll Lock key is a button on your keyboard that allows you to scroll through documents without moving the cursor. When the Scroll Lock key is turned on, pressing any arrow key will instead move the whole worksheet rather than a single cell.
Peter is an Electrical Engineer whose primary interest is tinkering with his computer. He is passionate about Windows 10 Platform and enjoys writing tips and tutorials about it.
