Arrow Keys Not Working In Outlook: Troubleshooting Guide

If your arrow keys are not working in Outlook, it could be due to a few reasons. One possible cause is the 'Read Aloud' functionality, which can interfere with the usual function of the arrow keys. Another reason could be an add-on that is causing issues. To troubleshoot, you can try starting Outlook in safe mode and then restarting it normally. Additionally, it's worth checking your keyboard shortcuts and ensuring they are set up correctly for the specific version of Outlook you are using.

Arrow keys not working in Outlook's email editor

If your arrow keys are not working in Outlook's email editor, there are several possible reasons and solutions. One user found that the issue was caused by the “Read Aloud” functionality. To toggle this feature, you can click on “Read Aloud” in the “Review” menu or use the Ctrl+Alt+Space shortcut. If the “Read Aloud” control panel is not visible, you can make it appear by using the Ctrl+Alt+Space shortcut and then closing it to get back to normal.

Another user suggested starting Outlook in Safe Mode and then restarting Outlook normally to see if the issue is caused by a problematic add-in.

One user found that the issue was caused by a specific open message. They went into the open message, clicked on the “Insert” tab, then clicked on “Symbol-->More Symbols” and changed the font from “Symbol” to “Normal”. After inserting a symbol, the issue was resolved.

If none of these solutions work, you may need to disable the “Read Aloud” option in Outlook settings or check for any problematic add-ins.

Ctrl-arrow key navigation not working

If you are using Outlook 2016, you may encounter an issue where the Ctrl-arrow key navigation does not work as expected. This problem can be quite frustrating, especially if you rely on keyboard shortcuts to navigate and edit your emails efficiently. However, there are several solutions you can try to fix this issue.

One possible cause of the issue is the "Read Aloud" functionality in Outlook. When the "Read Aloud" feature is enabled, it interferes with the Ctrl-arrow shortcuts, causing them to stop working. To fix this, you can try toggling the "Read Aloud" feature on and off. You can do this by clicking on "Read Aloud" in the "Review" menu or by using the Ctrl+Alt+Space keyboard shortcut. If the control panel for "Read Aloud" is not visible, you can make it appear by using the Ctrl+Alt+Space keyboard shortcut and then closing it again.

Another possible solution is to start Outlook in Safe Mode. This can be done by running the command "outlook /safe" and then opening Outlook normally. This will disable any add-ins that may be causing the issue. If the Ctrl-arrow navigation works in Safe Mode, you can then identify and disable the problematic add-in.

In some cases, the issue may be caused by a specific symbol or font used in an email. To fix this, go to the email that is causing the issue and click on the "Insert" tab. Then, click on "Symbol" and select "More Symbols". In the dialogue box that opens, change the font to "Normal" and insert a symbol. This should resolve the issue.

Additionally, you can try updating your Outlook version, especially if you are using an older version or a different channel. This may resolve the issue if it is caused by a bug or incompatibility with your current version.

Finally, if none of the above solutions work, you can try disabling the "Read Aloud" option in Outlook settings. This should release the Ctrl-arrow shortcuts and allow them to function normally again.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of Ctrl-arrow key navigation not working in Outlook and regain control of your email editing experience.

Issue caused by Read Aloud functionality

If you're having trouble with your arrow keys in Outlook, it could be due to the "Read Aloud" functionality. This feature can interfere with the usual keyboard shortcuts for navigation, such as ctrl + left/right arrow, which are commonly used to move the cursor by a word in the email editor.

The "Read Aloud" feature essentially captures the ctrl + left/right arrow key commands, as these shortcuts are used for rewind and fast-forward functions when reading aloud is enabled. As a result, Outlook's standard text navigation using these shortcuts becomes impaired.

To resolve this issue, you can toggle the "Read Aloud" functionality on or off by clicking on "Read Aloud" in the "Review" menu or by using the Ctrl + Alt + Space keyboard shortcut. This will bring up or dismiss the "Read Aloud" control panel in the top right corner of the edited message. When this control panel disappears, the arrow key shortcuts should resume their expected behaviour.

It's worth noting that simply toggling the "Read Aloud" feature off and on again, even if the control panel is not visible, can sometimes resolve the issue. This can be done using the Ctrl + Alt + Space keyboard shortcut.

Arrow keys not working with other keys

If your arrow keys are not working in Outlook in combination with other keys, such as Ctrl, there could be several reasons for this. One potential cause is the "Read Aloud" functionality, which can interfere with the Ctrl+Left and Ctrl+Right arrow key shortcuts. To toggle this feature on or off, you can use the Ctrl+Alt+Space keyboard shortcut or click on "Read Aloud" in the "Review" menu. If the "Read Aloud" control panel is not visible, making it visible by using the keyboard shortcut and then closing it might fix the issue.

Another potential cause could be a problematic add-in. To check if this is the case, you can start Outlook in safe mode by using the command "outlook /safe". If the arrow keys work as expected in safe mode, then the issue is likely due to an add-in.

Additionally, one user reported that the issue was resolved by going to the "Symbol" dialogue box, selecting the "Normal" font, and inserting a symbol. This solution may be worth trying as well.

Arrow keys not working in other programs

If your arrow keys are not working in other programs, there are several potential causes and solutions you can try.

One issue could be related to the “Read Aloud” functionality in certain programs. This feature can interfere with keyboard shortcuts, including arrow keys. To toggle the “Read Aloud” feature on or off, you can use the Ctrl + Alt + Space bar shortcut. If the “Read Aloud” control panel is not visible, use the shortcut to make it appear, and then close it. This should release the arrow keys for normal use.

Another potential cause could be an add-in or extension that is interfering with the keyboard functionality. To test this, you can try running the program in safe mode or disabling specific add-ins to see if that resolves the issue. For example, in Outlook, you can start Outlook in safe mode by using the command "outlook /safe".

Additionally, in some cases, the issue may be related to the font settings or symbol insertions. For example, in one instance, a user reported that their arrow keys stopped working after inserting a symbol in an email. They resolved the issue by going to the "Symbol" dialogue box, changing the font from "Symbol" to "Normal", and then inserting a symbol.

If none of these solutions work, it may be helpful to search for specific error messages or issues related to the program you are using. There could be known bugs or compatibility issues that are causing the arrow keys to malfunction, and there may be workarounds or updates available to address them.

Finally, it is always a good idea to ensure that your programs and operating system are up to date, as updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve keyboard and input issues.

Frequently asked questions