The Cursor Keys are Not Working in Excel – 8 Solutions

This is an overview of the problem:

What Are Cursor Keys?

Keyboard keys: the Up, Down, Left, Right, Home, End, PageUp, and PageDown are referred to as Cursor Keys. They move the cursor in different directions.

Reasons for the problem

• Enabling Scroll Lock Key
• Activated Add-ins
• Glitched Sticky Keys option enables the Scroll Lock
• Freeze Panes lock working area
• Protected Excel worksheets
• Background processing of complex Excel formulas
• Worksheet in Formula Entry mode
• Keyboard Drive update issue

Solution 1 – Turning Off the Keyboard Scroll Lock

Press the Scroll Lock key on your keyboard to activate or deactivate the Scroll Lock.

Using On-Screen Keyboard (Windows):

• Enter On-Screen Keyboard in the Windows Search bar.
• Click on Open to launch the On-screen Keyboard.

•  Click ScrLk to switch the Scroll Lock On or Off.

 Tips: Press Win+Ctrl+O to launch the On-Screen Keyboard.

For Mac Users (Physical Keyboard):

For Mac, press F14 or Shift + F14.

Solution 2 –  Enabling Sticky Keys

• Enter Control Panel in the Windows Search bar.
• Click Open.

• In the the Control Panel window, click Ease of Access in Adjust your Computer’s Settings.

• Select Ease of Access.
• Click Ease of Access Center.

• Select Make the keyboard easier to use in Explore all settings.

• Check Turn on Sticky Keys in Make the Keyboard easier to use.
• Click Apply.
• Click OK.

Alternative:

• Fast press SHIFT  5 times to display the Sticky Keys window.
• Click YES.

Solution 3 – Disabling the Scroll Lock in Excel Worksheets to Activate the Cursor Keys

• Right-click Status bar.
• Set Scroll Lock Status On or Off.

Solution 4 – Exiting Formula Mode to Solve Issue with Cursor Keys

• Exit the formula pressing ENTER or ESC or CTRL+ Z.

Solution 5 – Disabling Add-ins 

• Go to File > Options > Select Add-ins > Click Go.

• In the Add-ins dialog box, uncheck all Add-ins.
• Click OK.

Solution 6 – Using the Unfreeze Panes Option 

•  Go to the View tab > Select Unfreeze Panes.

Solution 7 – Unprotecting the Worksheet .

• Go to the Review tab > Click Unprotect Sheet in Protect  > Enter the  password to unprotect the sheet.

Click the link to see how to unprotect an Excel Worksheet without Password.

Solution 8 – Updating the Keyboard Driver 

• Enter Device Manager in the Windows Search bar.
• Click Open.

• In the Device Manager window, click Keyboards.
• Right-click Keyboard Type (here, HID Keyboard Device).
• Select Update driver.

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