Fix Trackpad Scroll Not Working on macOS

If your Mac trackpad scroll has stopped working, the fix is usually a quick settings change, a Bluetooth re-pair, or a system restart. This guide walks you through the most common causes and step-by-step solutions to get smooth scrolling back.

Why Scrolling Suddenly Stops

Trackpad scroll can fail for several reasons, ranging from a toggled-off setting to a temporary software glitch. The most frequent culprits are:

Natural scrolling got switched off or on, making the direction feel wrong.
The Bluetooth connection dropped or is glitching (for Magic Trackpads).
A stuck modifier key (like Control or Option) is interfering.
An app is hogging the trackpad or has its own scroll settings.
macOS needs a restart to clear a temporary system hiccup.

Check the Basic Scroll Settings

Start with the most obvious place: System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS).

Open System Settings (Apple menu > System Settings).
Click Trackpad in the sidebar.
Select the Scroll & Zoom tab.
Make sure Natural scrolling is toggled on (or off, depending on your preference). If it’s already on, toggle it off and on again to force a refresh.
Also check that Click & Drag and Tap to Click are still enabled—sometimes a reset disables multiple gestures.

If the setting was already correct, move to the next step.

Restart Your Mac and Reset the Trackpad

A simple restart clears most temporary software issues. If that doesn’t work, try resetting the trackpad’s connection:

For built-in trackpads: Shut down your Mac, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
For Magic Trackpad: Turn it off (hold the power button until it turns off), wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. If it doesn’t reconnect, go to Bluetooth settings, click the “i� next to the trackpad, and choose Forget This Device, then pair it again.

After reconnecting, test scrolling in a few apps (Finder, Safari, Notes).

Check for Stuck Modifier Keys

Sometimes a physically stuck or pressed modifier key (Control, Option, Shift) can change how the trackpad behaves. For example, holding Control while scrolling zooms in on some apps. Try pressing each modifier key a few times to unstick it, then test scrolling again. If you use a third-party keyboard utility (like Karabiner), temporarily disable it to rule out a remap issue.

Update macOS and Reset NVRAM

If the problem persists, a system-level glitch may be at play.

Update macOS: Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any pending updates. Apple frequently fixes trackpad bugs in updates.
Reset NVRAM (non-Apple Silicon Macs): Shut down, then turn it on and immediately press and hold Option + Command + P + R for about 20 seconds. On Apple Silicon Macs, this reset happens automatically during a restart—no key combo needed.

NVRAM stores trackpad settings, so resetting it can clear corrupted data. After the reset, re-check your scroll settings.

Check App-Specific Scroll Settings

Some apps have their own scroll behavior. For example, in Terminal, you can disable scrollback or change mouse reporting. In VS Code, a setting called editor.mouseWheelScrollSensitivity can be set to 0, effectively disabling scroll. If the issue only happens in one app, look for that app’s scroll or mouse settings—it’s not a system problem.

Also, some apps like Zoom or TeamViewer can intercept scroll events. Quit those apps temporarily to see if scrolling returns.

When to Consider Hardware or Accessibility Issues

If none of the above works, the trackpad hardware might be failing (especially if it’s a built-in one). Signs include: the trackpad doesn’t click, the cursor jumps, or the trackpad is physically loose. In that case, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider.

Also check Accessibility > Pointer Control—make sure Mouse Keys is off. When Mouse Keys is enabled, the trackpad can behave erratically, and scrolling may stop working. Toggle it off if it’s on.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my trackpad scrolling in the wrong direction?

That’s the “Natural scrolling� setting. Go to System Settings > Trackpad > Scroll & Zoom and toggle it off (or on) to flip the direction. Some users prefer “natural� (content moves like a touchscreen) while others prefer “traditional� (scroll bar moves).

My Magic Trackpad scrolls fine on one Mac but not another—why?

Each Mac has its own trackpad settings. The trackpad itself doesn’t store scroll preferences; the Mac does. So if you pair it with a new Mac, you’ll need to configure the settings there.

Can a USB device interfere with trackpad scrolling?

Yes. A faulty USB hub or a device that sends mouse signals (like a wireless mouse receiver) can confuse the system. Unplug all USB devices and test. If scrolling works, reconnect devices one by one to find the culprit.

Does resetting the SMC help with trackpad issues?

On Intel Macs, resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) can fix power and hardware-related glitches, including trackpad issues. The steps vary by model, so check Apple’s support page. On Apple Silicon Macs, there’s no SMC reset—a restart is equivalent.

My trackpad scrolls but the cursor moves slowly—what’s wrong?

That’s a different setting: tracking speed. Go to System Settings > Trackpad > Point & Click and adjust the “Tracking speed� slider. If it’s very slow, it might feel like scrolling is broken, but it’s just the cursor movement.

Is there a way to force quit a stuck app that’s blocking scroll?

Yes. Press Option + Command + Esc to open the Force Quit window, select the app, and click Force Quit. If the app is unresponsive, this can restore scroll functionality.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →