If you find that spell check (Spelling and Grammar tool) isn’t working properly in Microsoft Word, there are various ways to fix the problem.
Word’s Spell check is an inbuilt feature that helps you spot grammar and spelling errors when you type. If the tool detects mistakes or mistakes within the document you’ve created, Word will highlight the mistakes with various colors, such as red for spelling mistakes and grammar mistakes, green and blue for context spelling mistakes.
Sometimes, however, it happens that the Spell Check feature isn’t working as it should in Word. A lot of users have complained that the program isn’t flagging the misspelled words and spelling mistakes correctly or that the program has was unable to work at all.
If you’re experiencing any issues with the spelling or grammar checker There are a variety of solutions to address it, and we’ll go over each one of them in this article.
Table of Contents
Check the Language and Spell Check Options
If the Spell Check or auto-correct is not working on a particular document, it could be due to setting the language. Keep an eye on the options for language settings. When you type into the text of a document, Microsoft Word auto-detects the language you’re using and attempts to auto-correct it. This feature can be helpful in many situations, however it could be the reason behind the reason Spell Check is not working correctly. Here’s how to fix this issue:
Then, open the Word document in which spell check isn’t working. Press Ctrl+A to select all the text within the document.
Then, click the tab ‘Review’, select the ‘Language’ tab on the ribbon, and then select the ‘Set-Proofing Language option.
First, you must ensure that the appropriate language is chosen to display the content. For instance, if the language is set to ‘Spanish however the document is written in English”, Word will highlight every English word as misspelled words. Additionally, if your language is set to English (United United States) in which you’re making use of British English (for example, when you’re using the word flavor rather than flavor) Word will highlight the word as an mistake.
Therefore, select the appropriate language in the “Mark the text you have selected as:’ section.
Check that the ‘Do Not Check the spelling and grammar’ checkbox is not checked. If not, uncheck the checkbox.
You can also deactivate the “Detect language automatically” option since the auto-language recognition may make mistakes if you frequently make use of other words in a language (other than the language you’ve chosen to use).
Once you’re done when you are done, click “OK”.
After you’ve completed the steps above after which, hit the F7 key to launch the grammar and spelling tool and check whether the issue is resolved. If not, then try the following method.
Check for Proofing Exceptions
There’s a different setting in Word that could block the spell checker from functioning correctly. The proofing exception is a feature which allows certain documents to be exempt from any proofing or spelling tests. It is essential to ensure that this setting is turned off to ensure the correct operation of the spell checker. To disable this option you must take these steps:
The first step is to open Microsoft Word, or you can open any Word documents on your computer. Then, you can select all of the contents by pressing Ctrl+A. Then, select the tab ‘Review’ and click the “Language” button. After that, select the ‘Language’ Preferences’ …’ choice.
Alternately, click on the File tab on the Ribbon and then click Options to start Word Options.
Within the Word Options window, go to the tab ‘Proofing’ on the left side. On the right-hand side scroll down to the ‘Exceptions for section’ at the end. Make sure that the ‘Hide spelling mistakes in this document only and ‘Hide grammar mistakes within this particular document’ boxes are checked. After that, click “OK” to save the settings.
Enable Check Spelling As You Type option
If the Spell Checking feature isn’t working on any of your documents, then it could be because the ‘Check spelling as type Setting (which examines the document in real-time for mistakes) isn’t turned on. Here’s how to switch it on:
Select the File tab, then select “Options” in the right sidebar near the end of the list.
If Word Options opens up, click the Word Options dialog opens up Click the ‘Proofing’ tab. On the right-hand side go to the “When you need to correct grammar and spelling in Word’ section. Make sure you select both ‘Check spelling while you type’ as well as the mark grammar mistakes when you type’ options in that section.
Click on the button ‘Recheck Document’ to check the document again.
Select ‘Yes’ in confirm the box.
Then you click OK, you can save the settings and then check your document.
Start Microsoft Word in Safe Mode
If an add-in or software is affecting Spell Checker functionality and causes it to fail it is possible to start Microsoft Word in safe mode (loads without additional add-ons) and determine what’s causing the problem. This is how to accomplish this:
Hold and press the Ctrl key , then double-click the Word file on your PC to open it.
In the window that appears Click ‘Yes’ in the elevated window..
Alternately, you can start Word in safe mode. Word application in safe mode by using it by using the Run command.
To begin you must start your Run command box using the shortcut keys Ctrl+R. After that, type winword/safe into the command line box and enter or click OK.
This will start Word in a safe mode.
Then, select File and choose ‘New’, or press Ctrl+N to open a brand new black document. Enter some text, and verify if the spelling check is functioning or not.
If the spell checker is running in the secure mode, the issue is likely to be related to one of the add-ons. After that, you can disable the add-ins that cause the issue.
Disable the Conflicting Add-ins in Word
In certain instances an add-on from a third party could be in conflict or malfunctioning with the grammar and spelling checking tool. If the spell-checker functioned perfectly in safe mode, with limited functionality The issue could be due to one of the add-ons installed. Therefore, you must disable third-party add-ins individually to determine the one that is causing the issue. You can also disable them all , and then reinstall them one at a time to identify the add-in that is conflicting. To deactivate add-ins, follow these steps:
Click the File tab, then select “Options” from the left panel.
Within Word Options, select ‘Add-ins in the left-hand pane.
Then, at the lower left of the screen, choose the option ‘COM Add-ins’ from the drop-down menu ‘Manage’ menu, and then press the ‘Go’ button.
If you see the COM Add-ins pop-up, remove the add-in you believe could be causing the issue to remove it. If you wish to remove the add-in, simply select the add-in, then select “Remove”. After that, click “OK” for the dialogue to end.
Sometimes, all add-ins will not show up on the COM Add-ins dialog box. If the add-in you have installed isn’t listed in the COM Add-ins dialog box Do this instead:
Click on the ‘Insert’ tab, then click on the ‘My Add-ins’ tab within the Add-ins section.
Under Office Add-ins, select the three dots (Options) on the right side of the Add-in that you wish to delete.
After that, select “Remove” from the menu.
Check whether the spell checker is working or not.
Rename a Windows Registry Folder
Some users have reported that changing the name of the folder for tools to proof in the Registry Editor can solve the problem. Follow these steps to change the name of the folder for proofing:
Then, close the Word program. Then, start it from the Run Command Box by holding Win+R. Enter regedit to open the Registry editor. If you are presented with an User Account Control box appear, select Yes..
Within the Windows Registry windows, navigate to the next path by using the left pane, or copy-paste the path below into your address bar
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftShared ToolsProofing ToolsUnder the Proofing Tools Right-click on the ‘1.0 folder, and then select the option ‘Rename’ in the contextual menu.
Change the name of this folder by changing ‘1.0″ and change it to ‘1PRV.0’.
Then you have closed your Registry Editor and then restart your computer to make the changes effective. Then, launch Microsoft Word and recheck if the spell checker is functioning or not.
Rename Your Word Template
It’s also possible that the spell checker may not be functioning due to corruption of the global template. It is possible that the Global Template is either the ‘normal.dot’ or ‘normal.dotm’ to be used for Word 2007 and the newer versions and is typically found within the Microsoft Template folder. To fix this issue, you have to change the name of your Global template file, which will restore MS Word to the default settings. To accomplish this, follow these steps:
Start your Run Command (Win+R) and type the following and then hit Enter:
%appdata%MicrosoftTemplatesThis will allow you to access this folder. Microsoft Word Templates folder where you will find the ‘normal.dot’ or ‘normal.dotm the file, based on the Word version you are using.
Then, right-click on the file and choose the icon ‘Rename’ and press the F2 key.
Then, change the name of the file to Normal.dotm and change it to ‘Normal_old.dotm’.
This will reset your Word settings to the default setting and hopefully resolve your issue.
Add Proofing Language
When you are working on or editing documents in English however, the preferred authoring or proofing language could have been set as a different languages (e.g German). If you accidentally choose another proofing language, or removed English from the list, then spell-check may not function.
To correct this issue, go to the File menu and select ‘Options’ from the view of backstage. Then, navigate to the section ‘Language’ to the left. Make sure that the right languages are installed, and is set as the preferred language in the Office authoring language and proofing’ section.
To set the language of proofing choose the language you want to use and select the ‘Set as preferred button. In the following example, German is set as the preferred language.
If your language isn’t listed under the ‘Office authoring language as well as proofing’ tab, simply click the Add a Language’ button to add an official language for proofing.
In the pop-up window select the language you wish to add from the drop-down menu and then click the “Add” button.
Then, select the desired language from the drop-down menu and then click “Set as preferred”.
After that, select “Yes” within the Microsoft Office Preferred Authoring Language pop-up window.
After you have selected the language of your choice After selecting the language, click OK for Word to quit Options.
Check whether the grammar and spelling tool is functioning or not.
Add to Custom Dictionary
There are instances when Word could not recognize certain words , such as names, slags, etc. The program may struggle to identify grammar and spelling mistakes. In these instances you can include your own words to Word’s dictionary built into it and it will not display the errors in this document or in any future documents.
To add a word into the dictionary, right-click the word you wish to add and choose the “Add to Dictionary’ option in the context menu.
Check Document Style Settings
Word utilizes various language options for every paragraph of the document. If you choose to use the style in incorrectly, every new paragraph will be written in a different language even when you set the whole document’s in English. Therefore, Word may highlight the words in the new paragraph as spelling errors. To correct this issue it is necessary to make sure that the correct language is set within the Style.
In the tab ‘Home go into the Styles section, then right-click on the style you want to modify and choose ‘Modify’ from the contextual menu.
Within the Modify Style dialog box Click the Format button in the lower-left corner, then select “Language” from the menu.
Select the appropriate language to match the style you have selected and ensure that the “Do not check spelling or grammar’ checkbox is not checked. Then, click ‘OK’.
Repair MS Office Application
It is possible that the MS Word app could be damaged or an update recently caused a problem with your program’s installation. In either case, a damaged or damaged MS Word application could also be a reason for the grammar and spelling checking tools not functioning. Therefore, repairing your MS Office application on your PC could resolve the problem.
Then, right-click on the Windows Start menu and select the option ‘Installed applications’ in the drop-down menu. Or, go into Windows Settings (Win+I) and go to ‘Apps’, and then ‘Apps and Features’.
In your list of install applications Find your Microsoft Office version you have installed. Click the three dots button and choose Modify.
Click “Yes” to your User Account Control when asked. When you open the Microsoft repair window, you’ll have two choices. The first is to select the option ‘Quick Repair’ and then click the Repair button.
In the next box, click the “Repair Click the button again.
If the previous option does not solve the issue, choose the “Online Repair option, then select Repair.
Click ‘Repair’ and again.
Once the repair has been completed After the repair is completed, reboot your device and check whether the issue has been resolved or not.
Deactivate theDo Not Check Spelling or Grammar option
When you attempt to verify for spelling errors, Word may display an “Text marked with ‘Do not check spelling or grammar’ was skipped” error message. Word typically displays this error message when you select the “Do not Check Spelling’ option in the language settings. This option allows you to exclude certain words in the spell checker. If this option isn’t properly configured, Word will skip spell-checking for all words within the document. Here’s how to disable this feature:
Start your Word Document and then highlight the text or the specific word that isn’t being displayed in the spell checker. Then, press shortcut keys Shift+F1.
This will display the Reveal Formatting pane located on the right-hand left side of the Word window.
Within the Reveal Formatting pane, select the option ‘Language’ under the Formatting tab of the text box you have selected.
If you see the Language dialog box pops up Make sure you uncheck the “Do not check grammar or spelling’ option. Then, click ‘OK then restart the Word program.
Use Grammarly Plug-in
In the event that the Word’s Spelling as well as Grammer tool isn’t functioning for you, you could make use of the Grammarly plug-in instead. Grammarly is a typer on the cloud that assists you in identifying and correct spelling errors as well as grammar and punctuation errors. Additionally, Grammarly integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Word and Outlook.
For install Grammarly to Word and Outlook visit the site and click on the ‘Download the Grammarly add-in for free’ link. Once you have downloaded the app, install it.
After that, you can restart the Word application and you’ll be able to see a new tab titled “Grammarly” in the ribbon.
You can now open any document, navigate to the Grammarly tab, then click “Open Grammarly’.
It will bring up the Grammarly pane to the right side, and it will scan your document and give you ways to correct your grammar and spelling mistakes.
It is also possible to make use of Microsoft Word web app. Microsoft Word web app to quickly verify whether the wording is correct. If you are a subscriber to the Microsoft 365 subscription, you can open the same document using the web application and swiftly look for grammar and spelling errors online.
That’s it.