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TAB SCROLLING NOT WORKING ON CHROME AND BRAVE FIXED

Tab Scrolling Not Working on Chrome and Brave [Fixed]

The inability to scroll through browser tabs is a frustrating limitation that disrupts workflow and hinders productivity. For users who rely on having dozens of tabs open simultaneously, the vertical tab scrolling feature is not merely a convenience; it is a necessity. In recent Chromium updates, specifically around version 144, Google made architectural changes to the user interface that effectively removed the #scrollable-tabstrip flag, leaving many users stranded without their preferred tab navigation method.

We have received numerous reports regarding the tab scrolling functionality failing in both Google Chrome and the privacy-focused Brave browser. As both browsers are built on the Chromium engine, they share the same underlying codebase, meaning a change in Chrome often cascades to Brave. This guide provides a comprehensive, technical deep-dive into restoring tab scrolling capabilities. We will explore native browser settings, advanced flag configurations, and reliable third-party extensions to ensure your browsing experience is restored to optimal functionality.

Understanding the Chromium Architecture and Tab Strip Changes

To effectively solve the “Tab Scrolling Not Working” issue, it is essential to understand why the functionality was removed in the first place. Historically, Chromium utilized the #scrollable-tabstrip flag, allowing users to toggle between horizontal scrolling tabs and a vertical list. However, as Chromium evolved, developers deprecated this flag to streamline the codebase and prioritize new features like Tab Groups and vertical tabs in beta channels.

The removal of this flag did not mean the underlying capability was erased; rather, the UI controls were hidden. In Chrome version 144 and subsequent updates, the browser interface was refactored. The tab strip is now handled by a different set of UI parameters, often requiring a “force enable” approach via command-line arguments or third-party extensions.

We must acknowledge that while Brave browser generally mirrors Chrome’s behavior, it occasionally retains legacy support for user customization longer than Chrome does. However, the trend is clear: native support for scrollable tab strips without extensions is limited. Our solutions below address both browsers, ensuring that whether you are using Chrome for general browsing or Brave for its privacy features, your tab management remains efficient.

Method 1: Utilizing the --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip Command Line Flag

Since the graphical user interface (GUI) flag has been removed, the most robust way to reinstate tab scrolling is by forcing the Chromium engine to enable the underlying feature set. This method involves launching the browser with specific command-line arguments. This is a permanent fix that does not rely on third-party code.

Steps for Windows Users

  1. Close All Browser Instances: Ensure that Chrome or Brave is completely closed. Check the system tray to ensure no background processes are running.
  2. Locate the Executable: Navigate to the installation directory. For Chrome, this is typically C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe. For Brave, it is usually C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe.
  3. Create a Shortcut: Right-click the executable file and select Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).
  4. Modify Shortcut Properties:
    • Right-click the newly created desktop shortcut and select Properties.
    • Locate the Target field. You will see a path enclosed in quotes.
    • Add a space after the closing quote, followed by the command-line argument.
    • The final string should look like this: "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip
    • Alternatively, for a more refined vertical tab strip, you can try: "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip,VerticalTabStrip
  5. Apply and Launch: Click Apply and OK. Launch the browser using this shortcut to test if tab scrolling is restored.

Steps for macOS Users

On macOS, modifying flags requires editing the application’s Info.plist file or using a shell script. We recommend using a shell script for safety and ease of reversion.

  1. Open Terminal: Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
  2. Create a Launch Script: Use a text editor to create a script file (e.g., launch_chrome.sh).
  3. Input the Command:
    /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip --disable-features=DisableScrollableTabStrip &
  4. Make Executable: Run chmod +x launch_chrome.sh in Terminal.
  5. Execute: Run the script whenever you need to launch Chrome with scrolling enabled.

Steps for Linux Users

Linux users can easily modify the .desktop launcher file.

  1. Open the Desktop Entry: Navigate to /usr/share/applications/ or ~/.local/share/applications/.
  2. Edit the File: Open google-chrome.desktop or brave-browser.desktop with a text editor (e.g., nano or vim).
  3. Modify Exec Lines: Look for lines starting with Exec=. Append the flag to the end of these lines.
    • Example: Exec=/usr/bin/google-chrome-stable --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip %U
  4. Save and Restart: Save the file and restart your desktop environment or launch the browser directly.

Method 2: Native Chrome Flags (If Available)

While the #scrollable-tabstrip flag was removed, Chromium is in a constant state of flux. Depending on your specific version (Stable, Beta, or Canary), alternative flags might be available. We recommend checking the current flag status before attempting command-line overrides.

  1. Access Flags Page: Open a new tab and type chrome://flags (for Chrome) or brave://flags (for Brave) in the address bar.
  2. Search for Tab Functionality: In the search bar, type “scroll” or “tab strip”. Look for any active flags that mention scrolling or vertical tabs.
    • Tab Scrolling (Deprecated): If the #scrollable-tabstrip flag is still visible but grayed out (disabled), it is a UI remnant.
    • Vertical Tabs: Some versions have a #vertical-tabs flag. Enabling this changes the tab strip orientation, which inherently allows scrolling as the list grows vertically.
  3. Experimental Web Platform Features: Occasionally, underlying rendering engine changes require enabling generic experimental features. Search for #enable-experimental-web-platform-features. Enabling this may restore CSS scroll behavior, but be warned: this is a global flag that can affect site rendering stability.
  4. Relaunch Requirement: Any flag change in chrome://flags requires a full browser relaunch to take effect.

Method 3: Third-Party Extensions for Reliable Tab Scrolling

For users who prefer not to modify browser executables or use command-line arguments, installing a dedicated extension is the most user-friendly solution. Extensions inject JavaScript and CSS directly into the browser UI to modify the tab strip behavior dynamically. We recommend the following extensions which have proven reliable across Chromium versions.

The Great Suspender (and Alternatives) Context

While “The Great Suspender” was a popular choice for memory management, it was removed from the Chrome Web Store for malicious code. However, many users seek tab management features alongside scrolling. We should focus on dedicated tab scrolling extensions.

While the Chrome Web Store rotates extensions frequently due to policy changes, users should search for “Tab Scroller” or “Scrollable Tab Strip” compatible extensions.

  1. Search the Web Store: Navigate to the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Install: Click Add to Chrome.
  3. Configuration: Once installed, click the extension icon. It usually offers options to set the scroll speed, scroll sensitivity, and whether to show scroll buttons on the tab bar.
  4. Compatibility: These extensions work by injecting a div wrapper around the tab strip, allowing it to scroll horizontally or vertically based on user preference. They are particularly useful for Brave users who want to avoid command-line arguments.

Note on Extension Risks: We advise checking the permissions of any extension you install. An extension requesting “Read and change all your data on websites you visit” is standard for UI modification but should be vetted for developer reputation.

Method 4: Vertical Tabs as a Native Alternative

In recent Chromium updates, Google and Brave have introduced “Vertical Tabs” natively. While this changes the layout from a horizontal strip to a sidebar, it inherently solves the scrolling issue because the sidebar creates a scrollable list by default.

Enabling Vertical Tabs in Brave Browser

Brave has been faster to implement vertical tabs as a stable feature.

  1. Right-Click the Tab Bar: Hover over the top area where tabs are displayed.
  2. Select Vertical Tabs: In the context menu, look for an option labeled “Use Vertical Tabs” or “Move Tabs to Side”.
  3. Sidebar Management: This moves the tab strip into a collapsible sidebar. You can scroll through your tabs using the mouse wheel or touchpad gesture in this sidebar.
  4. Benefits: This layout is superior for high-density tab usage, as the tab width remains readable regardless of the number of open tabs.

Enabling Vertical Tabs in Google Chrome

For Google Chrome, vertical tabs are generally available in the Beta and Canary channels, but may be hidden in the Stable release.

  1. Access Flags: Go to chrome://flags.
  2. Search “Vertical Tabs”: Look for #vertical-tabs.
  3. Enable and Relaunch: If available, set the flag to Enabled.
  4. Context Menu: Right-click a tab and select “Use Vertical Tabs”. If the option is missing, the feature has not yet rolled out to your specific stable build, and you should revert to Command Line Methods or Extensions.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Tab Scrolling

Even after applying the fixes above, users may encounter specific glitches. We have compiled solutions for the most common post-fix issues.

Scrolling is Laggy or Jittery

If you have successfully enabled scrolling but notice lag when switching tabs or scrolling the strip:

Scrolling Doesn’t Work with Mouse Wheel

If the tab strip ignores mouse wheel input:

Tabs Disappear After Enabling Flags

If tabs vanish after modifying flags:

Why We Recommend Command-Line Flags Over Extensions

While extensions offer a click-and-install convenience, we generally recommend the Command-Line Flag method for power users. Here is our rationale:

  1. Performance: Extensions run in the browser’s JavaScript context, consuming RAM and CPU cycles. Command-line flags enable native C++ features that run directly on the GPU with minimal overhead.
  2. Stability: Extensions can break when the browser updates. Native flags are part of the Chromium source code and are more likely to remain stable across incremental updates.
  3. Privacy: Extensions often require permissions to “Read and change your data.” While usually benign for UI modification, avoiding unnecessary permissions is a best practice for security-conscious users (especially relevant for the Brave browser audience).

Managing Tab Resources: Beyond Just Scrolling

The issue of tab scrolling often arises from the root cause of having too many tabs open. While we have restored scrolling, we must also address performance to keep the browser running smoothly.

Using Memory Saver (Chrome) and Memory Freeze (Brave)

Both browsers now include built-in memory management features to handle heavy tab usage.

Tab Groups

Utilizing Tab Groups is a secondary method to organize tabs without needing infinite horizontal space.

  1. Right-click a tab and select Add to New Group.
  2. Assign a color and name.
  3. Groups can be collapsed, effectively reducing the width of the tab strip and making scrolling less frequent.
  4. This is a native Chromium feature and works seamlessly with both horizontal and vertical tab layouts.

Advanced Configuration: Force Vertical Tabs via Registry (Windows)

For system administrators or users deploying fixes across multiple machines, modifying the Windows Registry can enforce the tab scrolling behavior via the vertical tabs feature, even if the UI option is hidden.

Warning: Editing the registry carries risk. Always back up the registry before proceeding.

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
  2. Navigate to Policies: Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome or HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\BraveSoftware\Brave.
    • Note: You may need to create these keys if they do not exist.
  3. Create DWORD Value: Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value named VerticalTabsEnabled.
  4. Set Value: Set the value data to 1.
  5. Restart Browser: This forces the browser to enable the vertical tab strip feature, providing a scrollable interface immediately upon startup.

Summary of Solutions for Chrome and Brave

To summarize our comprehensive approach to fixing the “Tab Scrolling Not Working” issue:

  1. The Primary Fix: Use the command-line argument --enable-features=ScrollableTabStrip on the browser executable. This is the most direct way to restore the legacy scrolling behavior stripped from Chromium v144+.
  2. The Modern Fix: Enable Vertical Tabs. This is the native evolution of the feature. It moves tabs to a sidebar, creating an infinite vertical scrollable list. Brave supports this natively in the stable channel; Chrome requires the Canary build or specific flags.
  3. The User-Friendly Fix: Install a reputable Tab Scrolling Extension from the Chrome Web Store. This injects the necessary CSS to make the horizontal tab strip scrollable without touching system configurations.
  4. The Performance Boost: Combine scrolling fixes with Memory Saver features to ensure that a large number of tabs does not degrade browsing performance.

We understand that losing a critical UI element like tab scrolling hampers productivity. By following the technical steps outlined above, you can regain control over your browsing environment. Whether you choose the low-level command-line approach or the modern vertical tab interface, the result will be a browser that accommodates your workflow rather than restricting it. As Chromium continues to evolve, we recommend keeping an eye on chrome://flags for new native implementations, but until then, these methods provide the most stable and reliable fix available.

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