Firefox smooth scrolling: change how pages move

Quick Answer

To change Firefox smooth scrolling on desktop, open Settings, find Accessibility and toggle the smooth scrolling option. Compare the same wheel gesture on the same page before and after. If only one website still animates or jumps, its own scrolling behaviour may be the cause. You can make the browser comparison without changing hardware.

Establish what you want to change

There are two useful observations: whether the page moves in gradual steps and whether the movement feels uneven. Start on a long article with plain text rather than a page that changes panels while scrolling. Use the same pointing device and repeat a short wheel movement, then try a larger movement. That gives you a reference for judging the effect of the browser setting.

Find the smooth scrolling control in Firefox's accessibility preferences. If the headings differ on your version, use the search box in Settings and type smooth scrolling. Change that option once and go back to the same article. Give the page the same amount of time to load. Decide which movement is more comfortable before changing a second setting.

Isolate a page effect from an input issue

If one article moves comfortably but a site with a large banner or animated sections still moves oddly, test a second ordinary page. A website may implement motion that differs from Firefox's normal scroll action. Compare the mouse wheel with keyboard navigation or the scrollbar. An effect that appears with one gesture but not another is a clue about how to narrow the problem, rather than a reason to reinstall the browser.

The system can also have a reduced-motion preference. If a change seems to revert after restarting, record the current browser setting and check the system preference before assuming the two are unrelated. Mozilla's issue tracker contains an example of that interaction. Use that as a troubleshooting clue; it does not establish that every Firefox version behaves identically.

Decide whether hardware is involved

Run the same short test in another application. If the wheel jumps unexpectedly in more than one app, check the device or system input settings before concentrating on Firefox. If desktop movement looks fine and only a single site is uncomfortable, the gaming monitors shelf is not the first place to look for a fix.

The setting costs R0. A monitor's refresh rate and a browser's choice to animate scrolling are separate things. If you are already comparing all laptops on special for a replacement, test the existing machine first so the scroll issue does not get mistaken for a purchase requirement. Leave the browser on the option that feels more comfortable in a normal reading session, and return to the original setting if the change makes no useful difference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find smooth scrolling?

Find the option in Firefox desktop Settings under Accessibility, or search for its name in Settings.

Can I turn it off without changing other options?

Yes. Toggle smooth scrolling and compare the same page again.

Does smooth scrolling change monitor refresh rate?

No. It changes how Firefox animates supported scrolling, not the screen's refresh setting.

What if only one site still moves strangely?

Compare it with a plain article. The site may use its own animation or scrolling behaviour.

Can reduced motion affect the result?

It can be relevant. Check the system setting if the preference seems to behave unexpectedly.

Do I need to reinstall Firefox?

Start with the browser toggle and repeatable comparison before taking larger steps.