ERROR_NO_SCROLLBARS 0X000005A7: Quick Fix for Missing Scrollbars

What's Going On with Your Missing Scrollbars?

You're trying to scroll through a window or an app, and the scrollbars just aren't there. The error code 0X000005A7 (also called ERROR_NO_SCROLLBARS) pops up, or worse—nothing happens. It's frustrating, especially when you're in the middle of something. Let's get them back.

First Fix: Turn Off 'Automatically Hide Scrollbars' in Windows Settings

This is the #1 cause on Windows 10 and 11. Windows hides scrollbars by default to look cleaner, but some older apps—or custom software—don't handle that well. Here's how to turn it off:

1. Open Settings — press Win + I on your keyboard.
2. Click Ease of Access (on Windows 10) or Accessibility (on Windows 11).
3. Look for the Display section on the left side. Click it.
4. Scroll down until you see Automatically hide scroll bars in Windows.
5. Set it to Off.
6. Close Settings. You should see scrollbars appear immediately in most windows.

After turning it off, open File Explorer or a browser window to check. Scrollbars will show up as thin gray bars on the right. If they're still missing, move to the next step.

Second Fix: Registry Edit to Force Scrollbars On

If the setting above didn't do it, or you're on an older version of Windows (like Windows 8 or 7), the fix is in the registry. This forces scrollbars to always show, no matter what the app thinks.

Warning: Editing the registry can mess up your system if you delete the wrong thing. Follow these steps exactly, and you'll be fine.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and hit Enter. If User Account Control asks for permission, click Yes.
3. In Registry Editor, go to this path:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
4. On the right side, look for a value named ScrollHeight. If it's not there, right-click an empty space, choose New > String Value, and name it ScrollHeight.
5. Double-click ScrollHeight and set its value to -255. Click OK.
6. Now find (or create) ScrollWidth. Set it to -255 as well.
7. Close Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer. This is not optional—the change takes effect on reboot.

After restarting, scrollbars should be visible in every window. If the error was coming from a specific app (like an old game or a custom tool), launch that app now. The scrollbars should appear where expected.

Why This Works

The 0X000005A7 error means the program asked Windows for scrollbars, and Windows said “nope—the window can't have 'em.” Windows hides scrollbars in two ways: first, by the user setting we changed (the auto-hide toggle), and second, by the registry values that define scrollbar dimensions. When those dimensions are set to a negative value (like -255), Windows interprets it as “always show scrollbars of this size.” The default is a positive number, which allows apps to decide. Negative numbers override that.

This is especially common in older software that was written for Windows 95 or XP. Those apps expect scrollbars to be present by default. Modern Windows versions try to be sleek, and that breaks compatibility.

Less Common Variations of This Issue

1. Corrupted User Profile

If the registry fix didn't stick (the values reset after reboot), your user profile might be corrupted. Create a new local user account and test there. If scrollbars work in the new account, you'll need to migrate your files over. This is rare but happens after a bad Windows update.

2. App-Specific Compatibility Mode

Some programs—especially old games or business apps—block scrollbars deliberately. Right-click the program's shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, and check Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 7. Also try enabling Disable display scaling on high DPI settings. This forces the app to respect system scrollbar settings.

3. Overlay Scrollbars in Browsers or Electron Apps

Chrome, Edge, Slack, Discord, and other Electron-based apps sometimes hide scrollbars on their own. The fix is inside the app's settings: look for “Always show scrollbars” or “Overlay scrollbars” and turn it off. In Chrome, go chrome://flags, search for “Overlay Scrollbars,” and set it to Disabled. This overrides the Windows setting entirely.

4. Group Policy (Work or School PCs)

If you're on a company or school computer, an IT policy might have disabled scrollbars. You can't override that with registry edits—they'll revert on next logon. Contact your IT help desk and ask them to allow scrollbar visibility. They can push a policy change that sets ScrollHeight and ScrollWidth to negative values.

Preventing This Error Going Forward

• Keep Windows updated. Microsoft has fixed scrollbar bugs in cumulative updates. Go to Settings > Windows Update and install everything.
• Before installing old software, check for compatibility. Run the installer in Windows 7 compatibility mode from the get-go. This avoids conflicts with modern DPI and scrollbar handling.
• Document your registry changes. If the first fix worked, export the WindowMetrics key (right-click it, choose Export) and save the .reg file. If the error comes back after an update, you can double-click that file to restore the fix.
• Use portable apps for older tools. Portable versions don't install deeply into the registry, so they're less likely to trigger scrollbar errors.

That's it. You should have your scrollbars back and the error gone. If not, the other variations above cover the edge cases. Drop a comment on the blog or send a support ticket—I'll help you dig deeper.