Office Settings & Configuration

Fix OneNote Touchpad Scrolling Not Working Properly

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is experiencing issues where touchpad scrolling stops responding in OneNote 2016 while the Select cursor is active alongside a pen or touch drawing mode.

Product: OneNote 2016 / OneNote for Windows 10
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Scrolling the canvas with a touchpad on a touchscreen laptop while utilizing pen or touch drawing features.
Observed behavior: The touchpad scrolling fails to work properly when the user is operating in drawing mode with the Select cursor active.

Before you start

Ensure all your OneNote notebooks are completely synchronized to the cloud to prevent any data loss before attempting to repair or reset the application.

Solution 1Recommended

Repair or Reset the OneNote Application

Use the built-in Windows application management tools to repair corrupted files or reset the app's configuration, which often resolves touchpad and hardware interaction bugs.

Windows includes native troubleshooting options for installed applications. Repairing OneNote will attempt to fix the application without affecting your local data, while resetting it will clear local preferences and cache.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start menu and select Settings, then navigate to Apps > Installed apps.

Locate OneNote Advanced Options

Scroll down or search for OneNote in the app list. Click the three dots (or click the app name) and select Advanced options.

Repair or Reset

Scroll down to the Reset section. First, click 'Repair' and test if the touchpad scrolling works. If the issue persists, return to this menu and click 'Reset'.

System Updates: Before performing a reset, confirm your exact OneNote edition and ensure that all available Windows operating system updates are installed.

Solution 2

Switch to the Desktop OneNote Application

If you are currently using OneNote for Windows 10, switching to the full desktop version of OneNote can bypass specific UWP app scrolling glitches.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience a Smooth, Bug-Free Office Suite with WPS Office

If you're tired of troubleshooting application glitches and hardware conflicts in Microsoft Office, try WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative for all your document, spreadsheet, and presentation needs without the hassle.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
2. Install the Software: Run the downloaded installation file and follow the simple on-screen instructions.
3. Open Your Files: Launch WPS Office and directly open your existing Microsoft Office documents to enjoy a seamless editing experience.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats.Lightweight design ensures smooth scrolling and navigation on touchscreen laptops.Familiar user interface allows for a seamless transition with zero learning curve.Includes a powerful built-in PDF reader and editor for advanced document management.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does touchpad scrolling stop working in OneNote when using a pen?

This issue often occurs due to a conflict between the Windows Ink workspace, the active Select cursor, and the device's touchpad drivers when operating in touch drawing mode.

Will resetting OneNote delete my notebooks?

Resetting the app removes local application data, preferences, and cache. Your notebooks are safe and will not be deleted as long as they have been fully synchronized to OneDrive before you initiate the reset.

How do I know if I have OneNote 2016 or OneNote for Windows 10?

OneNote for Windows 10 features a simplified, modern interface with navigation tabs on the left side, while OneNote (formerly OneNote 2016) uses a traditional Office ribbon at the top of the window.

Office App Problems