Arrow Keys Not Working In Excel, How To Fix It?

In this tutorial, learn how to fix arrow keys not working in Microsoft Excel.

Many Windows users reported one strange problem on Microsoft Excel, and according to them, the arrow keys unable to move between the cells in Microsoft Excel. This is a serious issue, but there are a few methods that you can try.

Why are my arrow keys not working in Excel?

– Scroll Lock Key is enabled: This is the most common cause that will trigger this problem. In order to resolve the problem, you simply disable the Screen Lock by using the On-screen keyboard.

– Glitched sticky keys: If the sticky keys are stuck in a limbo state, this problem can happen. A few users that have been getting this problem have reported that they managed to resolve it by temporarily enabling and then disabling the sticky keys.

– Corrupted Add-in or Add-in conflict: Some add-ins or an add-in conflict can also be responsible for this issue. In order to fix this issue, you should remove any suspicious add-in from your active fleet.

In the section below, you’ll find all the solutions that other users have successfully used to fix the issue in a similar situation.

Arrows keys not working in Excel, how to fix it?

Solution 1. Disable Scroll Lock via On-Screen keyboard

You can resolve the problem quickly by using the on-screen keyboard to turn the Scroll Lock key back off. To do that, follow these steps below:

Step 1. Press Windows key + R and then type “osk” in the Run dialog box. Click OK to open up the On-Screen Keyboard.

Step 2. When the On-Screen Keyboard window appears, click on the ScrLk key once to turn off the Scroll Lock. Make sure that the key associated with Screen Lock is not in blue, Screen Lock was successfully disabled.

Step 3. Open an Excel sheet and check if the problem is now resolved.

Solution 2. Turn on the Sticky Key

As many users have reported, this problem can also appear if the Sticky Keys feature glitches and become stuck in a limbo state. You will be able to resolve the issue by temporarily disabling the Sticky keys feature before turning off again.

Step 1. Go to the Control Panel (click View by > select Small icons/Large icons), click on Ease of Access Center.

Step 2. From this window, scroll down to Explore all settings and select on Make the keyboard easier to use.

Step 3. Go to the Make it easier to type section and tick the box associated with Turn on Sticky Keys.

Step 4. Click Apply to save the configuration, wait a few seconds, then untick the box again and click Apply once again.

Step 5. Open Excel and check if you regained the normal functionality of the arrow keys.

Solution 3. Disable suspicious Add-ins

Another potential cause of this issue is a suspicious add-in that is currently active on Excel or an add-in conflict that ends up producing this problem. You can resolve this error by disabling all add-ins and then systematically re-enabling them until you managed to find the culprit.

Step 1. Open Excel.

Step 2. On the ribbon bar at the top of the screen, click on File > Options.

Step 3. When the Excel Options menu opens, click on Add-ins from the vertical menu.

Step 4. From the Add-ins menu, scroll down to the bottom of the screen and set the drop-down menu associated with Manage to Excel Add-ins. Click Go.

Step 5. Next, untick the checkbox associated with every Excel Add-in until they are all disabled. Click OK.

Step 6. Now, repeat steps 1 -> 3 to return to the Add-ins menu, scroll down to the Manage drop-down menu and set it to COM Add-ins.

Step 7. Same as before, untick every checkbox associated with every add-in. Click OK.

Step 8. Finally, restart Excel and check if the problem has stopped occurring.

VIDEO TUTORIAL: How To Fix Arrow Keys Not Working In Excel


Hope my step-by-step guide helped you fix the problem.