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How to Fix: Scrolling Problem in Safari browser

Learn how to fix the scrolling problem in Safari browser that automatically scroll till end when using keyboard. You can resolve the issue after troubleshoot.

The Safari browser has struct with a bug that automatically scrolls when using the keyboard’s down or up arrow key. The browser will scroll till the end or beginning of the web page on single keypress. To fix it, you can update Safari to the latest version, reset the browser, and use the mouse or trackpad for scrolling as alternative.

FIX: Safari browser Scrolling Problem

There have been multiple reports in Safari Support about the problem after an update. The users have been facing issues with browser scrolling functionality which automatically scrolls to the end or beginning of the page after using the keyboard arrows for scrolling.

If they use the downward arrows, the Safari continues to scroll will the end. However, the actual behavior should be scrolling a few pixels.

It’s also worth noting that the issue happens only in the Safari browser on the macOS system; the other browsers, like Chrome, Edge, etc., on Mac respond as expected when using the keyboard button.

I read through each of the replies and threads to identify a few potential fixes to help you fix the scrolling problem on the Safari browser.

Basic Troubleshooting

Before you start any advanced troubleshooting, you should consider trying basic troubleshooting.

You can restart the Safari browser and your computer system. It helps fix the most temporary issues that might be causing the Safari scrolling.

Check for any background Safari browser activity in Activity Monitor and stop them for better results.

Kill Safari process from Activity Monitor in macOS

You can also use the Force Quit  Safari browser to kill its background process.

Update your Safari

The scrolling bug mostly happened after a recent update. Hence, it might be possible that Apple developers may release another update soon to fix the issue. We need to keep checking the updates and download them when available.

With that said, the Safari updates are integrated into the macOS as a system app. Hence, we must check for Mac updates for the latest patch fixing. Here are the steps to do:

  1. Click the Apple apple logo menu and select System Settings from the drop-down menu.
    Apple Menubar with System Settings highlighted
  2. Switch to the General tab in the left pane, and select the Software Update option.
    Software Update menu under General tab on macOS
  3. Click on the More Info… link.
    More Info option with Software Updates Available on macOS
  4. Select the Safari updates, if any are available, and hit the Install Now button.

Most updates have feature and security updates that can conflict with existing functionality. Hence, an update for your Safari browser will resolve the underlying issue.

You can follow our guide on updating the Safari browser for Monterey and earlier versions.

Disable Safari Extensions

Thousands of browser extensions allow us to add features not readily available in Safari. However, these extensions might conflict with the system setup, which can cause the scrolling issue.

As a troubleshooting step, we can turn off the Safari browser extensions and check for the scroll problem. If that resolves, then the extensions might be the culprit. Enable extensions one after the other, checking which is the root cause of the problem.

  1. Open the Safari app on your Mac computer.
  2. Click on Safari from the menubar and select the Settings menu.
    Apple Safari Settings menuIt will open the Safari settings window. 
  3. Switch to the Extensions tab in the Settings window.
  4. In the left pane, click the checkbox to Turn On or Off the corresponding extension.
    Enable or Disable Extension in Safari on macOS

If you can identify the extensions, you can replace them with something similar from the App Store. You can Uninstall the Safari extension and find its replacement.

Alternative: Use Trackpad or Mouse

Users mentioned the Safari scrolling problem is mostly when they use the keyboard’s down and up arrows to scroll. However, using the trackpad and mouse or any external device that controls the cursor works without issues.

Graphic designer working on a Macbook laptop using a trackpad, color charts and markers

If you cannot fix the auto-scrolling issue in Safari with any troubleshooting, then you can consider using the trackpad or external mouse.

Bottom Line

The Safari browser is known to be stable and privacy-focused. However, any update might break the basic functionality of the browser. The browser scroll problem that has evolved after an update can be fixed in successive updates. All you need is to wait for an update.

It would be best if you considered reporting the issues to Apple Support to prioritize them. Meanwhile, use the trackpad or mouse to scroll in the Safari browser instead of the keyboard button.

Lastly, if you've any thoughts or feedback on How to Fix: Scrolling Problem in Safari browser, then feel free to drop in below comment box. You can also report the outdated information.

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Kushal Azza

Kushal is a Bachelor of Engineering, a Certified Google IT Support Professional, and a Digital-Tech Geek. He has over a decade of experience solving tech problems, troubleshooting, and creating digital solutions. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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