Libre Office - Getting Stuck On Some Kind Of Auto Scroll

[joko]

((im on win 10 and a dell precision M6800))

its driving me mad.

i'm editing a huge manuscript and every so often it gets stuck on a sort of auto scroll - where is just goes down line by line through the whole document, quite slowly, for no reason i can see

but i cant stop it - no buttons are responsive, not even the quit X

if i left it would run through the whole document.

other than using 'end task' in task manager, the only thing that 'sometimes' stops it is if i press ctrl -S on the keyboard.
it'll run through a visible save bar then stop scrolling.

but i dont know how or why its happening,

its usually when im using the scroll bar, but it doesnt seem like im doing anything different than usual

ive used this software for years and its only recently started doing this

any ideas?

thanks :)

[Buenchico]

I can't help wondering about whether, rather than being a problem with LibreOffice Writer, it's actually a problem with your touchpad or mouse.

If you click the scroll button on a mouse, and then move the cursor slightly downwards, the entire document will scroll down. (There's probably something similar on a touchpad but, as the first thing I do with any laptop is to attach a mouse to it, I can't be certain). So, if you're already using a mouse, try a different one. If you're using your laptop's touchpad, try a mouse.

[joko]

thanks, that sounds likely thats the movement thats setting it off - its so slight, which is why i couldnt really figure out what i was doing to cause it.
but how would it get stopped? if theres a way to start it, there must be a way to stop it, right?


You migjht be right about touchpad issues as i also get a similar thing happen when im just scrolling pic or doc folders - except it scrolls extremely fast, so doesnt seem like it could be a useful function.
the only way to stop that is to move the cursor away from the scroll bar - but as soon as i move over the scroll bar again, it does it again, all i can do is click on something or just wait.

i also couldnt find any info on how that was happening either

its so frustrating :(

[TheChair]

If, as Chris suggests, it's caused because you accidentally clicked the scroll-wheel, you can cancel it by simply clicking the scroll-wheel again.

[Buenchico]

>>> if theres a way to start it, there must be a way to stop it, right?

With a properly functioning mouse, simply clicking again on the scroll wheel cancels auto-scrolling. However that might not work with a defective mouse and it's obviously not going to directly help with a touchpad.

Assuming that you're using a touchpad, it might be worth investigating the settings to see if 'three finger clicking' is enabled (and, if so, then disabling it). The way to do so, if possible, varies across laptops but this link explains it quite well:
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/26552/stupid-geek-tricks-use-both-laptop-mouse-buttons-to-simulate-middle-click/
(The link is written from the perspective of a user who wants to enable the function, rather than to disable it, but the basic technique is the same anyway).

Otherwise, try using a mouse instead of the touchpad.

[joko]

thanks

my touch pad has buttons so i know ive not accidentally clicked a button.
I also definitely havent used 3 fingers.

ive noticed there are times i honestly have barely touched the scrollbar, like one tap, and it'll do it.

i played with some touchpad settings and its doing it even more!

ive used Libre for many years, and its only this yr its started doing this.

[Buenchico]

Try using a mouse instead of the touchpad. (As long as you're using your laptop on a hard surface, such as a table or desk, rather than actually on your lap, it's always best to use a mouse anyway. Touchpads are only ever a 'second best' way of doing things).

If you've not already got a mouse to hand, your local Asda can sell you one for just four quid:
https://groceries.asda.com/product/computing-accessories/onn-black-wired-optical-mouse/1000033144335
If you need a mouse mat, Asda sell them dirt cheap as well:
https://groceries.asda.com/product/computing-accessories/asda-tech-anti-slip-mouse-mat/1000370063967

Once you've plugged in your mouse, you could try uninstalling the touchpad driver and then reinstalling it if you want to give it a try. To do so, start typing 'device manager' into the search box. Click on 'Device Manager' above it. Double-click 'Mice and other pointing devices'. Double click on your touchpad's name. (On my laptop it's 'Synaptics pointing device'). Click the 'Driver' tab. Click 'Uninstall device'. After doing so, restart your laptop, which should force the driver to reinstall itself.