How to Fix Slow Scrolling and Display Artifacts in Microsoft Word
Question details
The user is experiencing sluggish scrolling, slow screen redraws, and graphical artifacts when using Microsoft Word, particularly on computers with processors lacking integrated graphics.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Scrolling through or editing documents in Microsoft Word on a computer with a dedicated graphics card.
- Observed behavior
- Microsoft Word scrolls slowly and shows visual glitches or graphical artifacts on the screen, even though other applications perform smoothly.
Ensure you have saved all open documents and briefly check if the issue persists across all files or only in specific, graphics-heavy documents.
Enable Threaded Optimization in NVIDIA Control Panel
Modify your dedicated GPU's 3D settings to optimize thread handling specifically for Microsoft Word.
If your computer has an Intel F-series processor, it lacks integrated graphics, meaning the system relies entirely on your dedicated NVIDIA GPU. Adjusting the threaded optimization settings can help resolve visual rendering delays in Word.
Right-click on an empty space on your desktop and select 'NVIDIA Control Panel' from the context menu.
In the left-hand navigation pane, expand the '3D Settings' menu and click on 'Manage 3D settings'.
Under the 'Global Settings' tab (or the 'Program Settings' tab if you want to isolate Microsoft Word), scroll down to find 'Threaded optimization' and change its value to 'On'.
Click 'Apply' at the bottom right corner of the window, then restart Microsoft Word to see if the scrolling performance has improved.
Update Graphics Drivers and Chipset Drivers
Ensure your system is running the latest display drivers to prevent incompatibility and graphical glitches.
Disable Microsoft Word Add-ins
Run Word in Safe Mode and disable third-party add-ins to rule out software conflicts.
Try WPS Office for Smooth and Lightweight Document Editing
If Microsoft Word continues to suffer from graphical artifacts or slow scrolling due to hardware acceleration conflicts, consider switching to WPS Office. It is a free, lightweight alternative that delivers smooth editing performance, high format compatibility, and a familiar UI for a seamless migration.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the straightforward on-screen instructions to install the suite.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word documents to continue working without lag or display issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word lag on my new computer with an Intel F-series processor?
Intel F-series processors do not include integrated graphics. Because the system has to rely entirely on the dedicated GPU, driver configuration mismatches or suboptimal threaded settings in the graphics control panel can result in sluggish performance and graphical artifacts in Word.
How do I know if an add-in is causing Word to scroll slowly?
You can test this by launching Word in Safe Mode. Press the Windows key + R, type 'winword /safe', and press Enter. If the scrolling is perfectly smooth in Safe Mode, a third-party add-in is likely interfering with Word's display rendering.
Can I switch to integrated graphics to fix Word performance?
If your computer uses an Intel F-series processor, it physically lacks an integrated GPU, so you cannot switch to one. You must instead optimize the settings for your dedicated graphics card or ensure your graphics drivers are fully up to date.
