Why Your Website Won't Scroll With Arrow Keys In Chrome (And How To Fix It)
As a web developer, one of the most frustrating issues you can encounter is when your website's scrolling functionality breaks, especially when it's specific to a certain browser like Google Chrome.
One common problem that many developers face is when their website suddenly stops scrolling with the arrow keys in Chrome. This can be a real headache, as arrow key scrolling is a fundamental feature that users expect to work seamlessly.
In this article, we'll dive into the root cause of this issue, explore the potential impact it can have on your website's performance, and provide a step-by-step guide on how to fix the problem.
What's Causing The Scrolling Issue In Chrome?
The culprit behind the inability to scroll with arrow keys in Chrome is often a JavaScript library called smoothscroll.js
. This library is designed to provide a smooth scrolling experience for users, but it can sometimes interfere with the browser's native scrolling functionality.
The problem arises when the smoothscroll.js
library is improperly implemented or configured, causing it to conflict with Chrome's built-in scrolling mechanisms. This can result in a frustrating user experience, where the website's scrolling becomes unresponsive or behaves erratically.
The Performance Impact of Smooth Scrolling
In addition to the usability issues, the use of the smoothscroll.js
library can also have a significant impact on your website's performance. Chrome's developers have identified this library as a potential source of performance degradation and have issued a warning about its usage.
According to the Chrome Intervention warning, the smoothscroll.js
library is "buggy, no longer necessary and degrades performance." This is because the library requires the browser to register the mousewheel
event as "passive," which can slow down your website's responsiveness and overall performance.
The passive event listener optimization is a Chrome feature that helps improve the browser's performance by allowing certain events to be handled more efficiently. However, the smoothscroll.js
library's usage of the mousewheel
event can interfere with this optimization, leading to a decrease in your website's responsiveness and overall user experience.
How to Fix the Scrolling Issue in Chrome
Now that we've identified the root cause of the problem and the potential performance implications, let's explore the steps to fix the issue and restore the proper scrolling functionality in Chrome.
-
Identify the Smooth Scrolling Library: The first step is to determine if your website is using the smoothscroll.js
library. You can do this by inspecting your website's source code or using your browser's developer tools to examine the loaded scripts.
-
Disable the Smooth Scrolling Library: Once you've identified the smoothscroll.js
library, the next step is to disable it. This can typically be done by removing the script tag that loads the library or by commenting out the relevant code.
Here's an example of how you might disable the smoothscroll.js
library in a WordPress website:
<!-- Original code -->
<script src="/path/to/smoothscroll.js"></script>
<!-- Disabled code -->
<!-- <script src="/path/to/smoothscroll.js"></script> -->
-
Verify the Scrolling Functionality: After disabling the smoothscroll.js
library, test your website's scrolling functionality by trying to scroll using the arrow keys. If the issue is resolved, you've successfully fixed the problem.
-
Optimize Scrolling Without Smooth Scrolling: If you still require a smooth scrolling experience for your users, consider exploring alternative solutions that don't rely on the smoothscroll.js
library. There are various CSS and JavaScript techniques you can use to achieve smooth scrolling without the performance overhead.
One popular approach is to use the native CSS scroll-behavior
property, which allows you to control the scrolling behavior without the need for a separate JavaScript library. Here's an example:
html {
scroll-behavior: smooth;
}
Alternatively, you can implement a custom smooth scrolling solution using JavaScript, taking advantage of the browser's native scrolling APIs and optimizing the code to minimize performance impact.
By following these steps, you can effectively resolve the issue of arrow key scrolling not working in Chrome due to the smoothscroll.js
library. This not only restores the expected scrolling functionality but also improves your website's overall performance and user experience.
Conclusion
The inability to scroll using arrow keys in Chrome can be a frustrating issue, but it's often caused by the improper implementation or configuration of the smoothscroll.js
library. By understanding the root cause of the problem and the potential performance implications, you can take the necessary steps to fix the issue and optimize your website's scrolling functionality.
Remember, the key to a great user experience is ensuring that your website's core features, like scrolling, work seamlessly across different browsers and devices. By addressing this specific issue, you'll not only improve your website's usability but also contribute to its overall performance and reliability.
If you're interested in learning more about how to optimize your website's performance and user experience, be sure to check out Flowpoint.ai. Flowpoint's AI-powered analytics and recommendations can help you identify and address a wide range of technical, UX, and content-related issues that may be impacting your website's conversion rates.
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