On a laptop, the Scroll Lock feature is useful for changing how the arrow keys work in spreadsheet programs such as Excel. However, many modern laptops do not have a physical Scroll Lock key, which can make it difficult to find a way to turn it off. This article explains in detail how to turn off Scroll Lock for major laptop brands.
- When Scroll Lock is off: The arrow keys move between cells.
- When Scroll Lock is on: The arrow keys scroll the entire worksheet.
| Brand | Market Share (2025) | Primary Method to Turn Off Scroll Lock | Alternative Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | 17% | Not available in macOS; see Windows instructions | – |
| Lenovo | 15% | Fn + F6 or Fn + Pause Break | On-Screen Keyboard |
| HP | 12% | Fn + C | On-Screen Keyboard |
| Acer | 11% | Fn + F12 | On-Screen Keyboard |
| Asus | 9% | Fn + S or Fn + Print Screen | On-Screen Keyboard |
| Dell | 7% | Fn + F6, Fn + 6, or Fn + S | On-Screen Keyboard |
| Microsoft Surface | 4% | Not available; use the On-Screen Keyboard | – |
| Samsung | 2% | Not available; use the On-Screen Keyboard | – |
Apple MacBook
- Feature: macOS does not have a Scroll Lock feature by default, so there is no need to turn it off.
- When using Windows: If you use Windows through Boot Camp or Parallels, refer to the Windows laptop methods below.
Lenovo
- Method: Use the Fn + F6 or Fn + Pause Break key combination.
- Alternative method: If there is no physical key, open the On-Screen Keyboard. (Windows key + R → type “osk”)
HP
- Method: Use the Fn + C key combination.
- Alternative method: If it does not work, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Acer
- Method: Use the Fn + F12 key combination.
- Alternative method: If it does not work, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Asus
- Method: Use the Fn + S or Fn + Print Screen key combination.
- Alternative method: If it does not work, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Dell
- Method: Use the Fn + F6, Fn + 6, or Fn + S key combination.
- Alternative method: If it does not work, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Microsoft Surface
- Method: Since there is no physical Scroll Lock key, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Samsung
- Method: Since there is no physical Scroll Lock key, use the On-Screen Keyboard.
Conclusion
The method for turning off Scroll Lock varies by laptop brand, so check the method for your laptop model. If there is no physical key, using the On-Screen Keyboard is the most reliable solution.