Spell Check Not Working in Word? Fix It in a Few Easy Steps

Go to File, select Options and click Proofing. Check the box for Check spelling as you type.
Next uncheck Hide spelling errors in this document only. Then reset any text marked as Do not check spelling or grammar.
These three steps fix most spell check issues in Word. If you are still stuck, the rest of the fixes you can find below.

You type “teh” and nothing happens. No red line shows up under the word. Right-click offers no spelling suggestions.
That happens when spell check stops working in Word. It hurts most right before you send an important file. Some people face this problem in a single document. Others see it everywhere.
This guide covers all the main causes and fixes. You will find simple setting changes and deeper system repairs below.

Also Read: Forgot Word Document Password?

Why is Spell Check Not Working in Word?

Word skips spell check for simple reasons. Most come down to toggled settings rather than actual file corruption.

• Checking while you type may be off in Word’s options.
• One setting inside the file can hide errors for that document alone.
• Pasted text sometimes brings a “Do not check spelling or grammar” flag along.
• French set on English text. Or any wrong language makes Word miss typographical errors.
• Ignored words and custom dictionary entries stop showing as errors.
• Editing limits and Protected View pause checking until you unlock the file.
• Bad add-ins. Or a damaged Office install can stop proofing tools too.

Usually a Word document not showing spelling errors points to one of the first six causes. This is why you should skip the reinstall for now.

How to Fix Spell Checker Not Working in Word: All Methods

Work through these in order. These will help whenever you face spell check not working in Word. The quick ones solve most problems. These steps use Word on Windows. Mac users can track down those exact settings inside Word preferences under spelling and grammar.

#1: Turn On Spell Check as You Type

Typos get underlined only while this switch is on. You must check it first.

1. Click File then choose Options.
2. Select Proofing. Scroll to “When correcting spelling and grammar in Word.”
3. Turn on “Check spelling as you type.”
4. Click OK. Type a fake word to test.

#2: Show Errors Hidden in One Document

A single box can hide every spelling error in the current file. This makes spell check not working in Word seem random.

1. Return to File. Select Options then click Proofing.
2. Look near the bottom under “Exceptions for.”
3. Remove the check from “Hide spelling errors in this document only”. Click OK.

Tip: Do the same for the grammar box if grammar marks are missing too.

#3: Fix the Proofing Language

Every piece of text carries a language tag. When the tag is wrong, the spell checker is not working in Word even though everything looks fine.

1. Press Ctrl + A to select everything.
2. Go to the Review tab. Click Language and pick Set Proofing Language.
3. Choose your actual language like English (United States).
4. Clear the box named “Do not check spelling or grammar.”
5. Leave “Detect language automatically” on. Then press OK.

#4: Reset the Language Inside the Normal Style

Sometimes the style, not the text carries the “do not check” flag. Every new line inherits that broken setting.

1. Go to the Home tab. Click the small arrow next to Styles.
2. Take your mouse over Normal. Click its drop-down arrow.
3. Choose Modify. Select Format at the bottom left and choose Language.
4. Uncheck Do not check spelling or grammar. Click OK to save.

#5: Run a Manual Check and Recheck the File

Manual checks reveal if Word finds errors anywhere. Running a recheck restores previously ignored words.

1. Press F7 to launch the Editor pane or the Spelling & Grammar dialog box.
2. Let Word step through the mistakes it finds.
3. Then go to File. Select Options then Proofing. Select Recheck Document and say Yes.

#6: Check Exceptions and the Custom Dictionary

Certain options make Word skip some words on purpose.

1. Navigate back to Options under File then Proofing.
2. Review the boxes that skip all caps words. Also Words with numbers and web links.
3. Find the Custom Dictionaries button. Choose a list and select Edit Word List.
4. Remove any word added by accident. Click OK.

#7: Look at Protected View and Restricted Editing

Files from email or the web often open in Protected View. This can leave spell check not working in Word until you enable editing.

1. Check the yellow bar at the top. Click Enable Editing. Click only if you trust the source.
2. Switch to the Review tab and look for Restrict Editing.
3. Finish with Stop Protection in the pane that opens.

Note: If your Word document is password protected and you don’t know the password. You can use SysTools Word Document Password Recovery Tool. This tool can easily recover the password in a few easy steps.

#8: Test in a Brand New Document

Starting fresh shows whether the trouble sits in one file or in all of Word.

1. Create a blank document using File. Then click New.
2. Type a few misspelled words. For example “recieve” and “wierd.”
3. Watch for red lines.
4. Copy and paste your old text over with Keep Text Only if you can see red lines.

Red lines there mean your old file carries the problem. Missing lines mean spell check not working in Word reaches beyond that file. In this case you can check and try steps given in next section.

What to Do If Spell Check Still Doesn’t Work?

Spell check not working in Word can beat the basics. These steps run from light to heavy.

1. Restart Word. After that update it. To update it Go to File. Select Account then click Update Options. Choose Update Now.
2. You can test Word without add-ins by holding Ctrl while it opens. Choose Yes for Safe Mode.
3. Add a proofing language. Go to File. Select Options and click Language. Install your specific language pack if it is missing.
4. Repair Office. Open Windows Settings and go to Apps. Find Microsoft Office. Click Modify and run Quick Repair. Try Online Repair next if issues persist.

In Safe Mode a spell checker not working in Word sometimes starts working again. This points to an add-in you can switch off under File > Options > Add-ins. Reinstall Office as the very last step if the spelling check is not working in Word after a repair. On a Mac update from Help > Check for Updates.

End Note

Most of the time a small setting causes spell check not working in Word. You can fix it in minutes. Four habits keep it from returning:

• Update Word regularly through File > Account.
• Paste outside text with Keep Text Only. So odd language tags stay out.
• Set the right proofing language once. Do not forget to make it the default.
• Save custom dictionary entries for words you’re sure about.

Once you know where to look, spelling check not working in Word is rarely a big deal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why is spell check not working in Word on only one document?
Ans: Your file likely hides errors in its own settings. Or it carries the “Do not check spelling or grammar” flag. Go to File then Options and Proofing. Clear the hide box. Reset the language.

Q2. Why does Word underline some mistakes but show no suggestions?
Ans: If you are seeing “No Spelling Suggestions” it usually means a wrong proofing language. This can be a sign of a messy custom dictionary. Reset both with the fixes above.

Q3. Why does grammar check work when spell check doesn’t?
Ans: Separate switches control the two tools. Spell check not working in Word can happen while grammar marks still show. Look at the typing and hide-errors boxes in Proofing first.

Q4. How do I fix spell check in Word on a Mac?
Ans: Mac users can open Word. Then go to Preferences > Spelling & Grammar and turn on “Check spelling as you type.” After that pick Tools > Language. Clear “Do not check spelling or grammar.” Both settings cause most Mac cases of spell check not working in Word.