Why can’t I scroll down on certain websites Mac?

Answered by James Kissner

There can be several reasons why you might not be able to scroll down on certain websites on your Mac. Let’s explore some possible causes and solutions:

1. Browser Compatibility: One common reason for scrolling issues is browser compatibility. Some websites may not be optimized for certain browsers or their latest versions. Try opening the website in a different browser like Safari, Chrome, or Firefox to see if the scrolling problem persists. If it works fine in another browser, you may need to update or reinstall your current browser.

2. Website Design: Another possibility is that the website itself has a design issue that is causing the scrolling problem. Some websites may use custom scrolling features that are not compatible with all browsers or operating systems. Alternatively, the website’s layout or elements might be overlapping, making it difficult to access the scroll bar. In such cases, clearing the browser cache or reloading the page can sometimes help.

3. Disabled Scrollbars: By default, Mac devices hide scroll bars when not in use to provide a cleaner interface. This behavior might lead to confusion as users may not realize that they can scroll down. However, you can change this setting to always display scroll bars. To do this, go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > General. Under the “Show scroll bars” section, select “Always” or “When scrolling” to enable the scroll bars.

4. Accessibility Settings: Mac offers various accessibility settings that can impact scrolling behavior. Check if any accessibility options are enabled that might affect scrolling on websites. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Accessibility and review the options under “Pointer Control,” “Display,” and “Zoom” to ensure they are not causing any conflicts.

5. Browser Extensions or Plugins: Certain browser extensions or plugins can interfere with scrolling functionality. Disable any recently installed extensions or plugins one by one to identify if any of them are causing the issue. You can usually manage extensions or plugins through your browser’s settings or preferences menu.

6. System Updates: Make sure your Mac’s operating system and browser are up to date. Outdated software can sometimes lead to compatibility issues with websites, including scrolling problems. Check for updates by going to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update for the operating system, and accessing the browser’s update option from its menu.

Remember, these are general troubleshooting steps, and the specific cause of the scrolling issue may vary depending on the website and your Mac’s configuration. If the problem persists, you can also try accessing the website on a different device to determine if it’s a Mac-specific issue or a broader problem with the website itself.

I hope these suggestions help you resolve the scrolling problem on certain websites.