Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix PowerPoint Auto Scroll Disabled When Animations Are Turned Off

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 9, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user is unable to use the Auto Scroll feature in PowerPoint's Teleprompter view because the system displays a message stating that Auto Scroll cannot be used when animations are disabled.

How to Fix PowerPoint Auto Scroll Disabled When Animations Are Turned Off

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Attempting to use the Teleprompter view Auto Scroll feature during a presentation.
Observed behavior: PowerPoint displays an error message indicating Auto Scroll is disabled due to animations being turned off. The issue persists even after reinstalling the application and updating to the latest build (2401).

Before you start

Ensure you have the latest Microsoft Office updates installed and verify your exact PowerPoint build number by navigating to File > Account.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Animations in Slide Show Settings

Check your presentation settings to ensure that animations are globally enabled, as Teleprompter Auto Scroll relies on this engine to function.

PowerPoint's Teleprompter feature uses the built-in animation engine to smoothly scroll your text. If animations are disabled in the presentation's settings, Auto Scroll will be blocked.

Open Slide Show Settings

Open your presentation, navigate to the 'Slide Show' tab on the top ribbon, and click on 'Set Up Slide Show'.

Uncheck 'Show without animation'

In the Set Up Show dialog box, look under the 'Show options' section. Ensure that the 'Show without animation' checkbox is entirely unchecked.

Save and Test

Click 'OK' to save the settings. Enter the Teleprompter view again to verify if the Auto Scroll feature is now active.

Enable Animations in Slide Show Settings

Configuration Check: This is the most common reason for the Auto Scroll error. By allowing animations, PowerPoint can resume rendering the scrolling text.

Solution 2

Test in a New Presentation and Update Office

Isolate the issue by testing a completely fresh file and ensuring your Office client has no pending patches.

Solution 3

Report the Bug to Microsoft Support

If colleagues on the same build (e.g., 2401) do not have the issue, it may be a profile-specific bug requiring Microsoft diagnostics.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does PowerPoint say Auto Scroll cannot be used when animations are disabled?

PowerPoint's Teleprompter Auto Scroll feature relies on the software's underlying animation rendering engine to smoothly scroll text across your screen. If you have checked 'Show without animation' in your Slide Show settings, this scrolling mechanism is disabled.

How do I find my PowerPoint version and build number on Windows?

Open PowerPoint, click on 'File' in the top left corner, select 'Account' (or 'Office Account' depending on your version), and look under the 'About PowerPoint' section. You will see the version and build number listed there.

What should I do if my colleagues have the same PowerPoint build but do not experience the Auto Scroll error?

If colleagues on the exact same OS and build (e.g., version 2401) do not have this issue, it might be tied to your specific user profile, corrupted configuration files, or conflicting add-ins. Try performing an Online Repair of Office via the Windows Control Panel, or report the specific diagnostic details to Microsoft.

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