You type in Microsoft Word and see no red squiggly lines under misspelled words. The spell check feature has stopped working. This happens when a setting is turned off, a file is corrupted, or the language is set incorrectly. This guide will show you how to turn spell check back on and fix the underlying problems.
Key Takeaways: Restoring Word Spell Check
- File > Options > Proofing > Check spelling as you type: This is the main switch that enables the red squiggly underlines for misspellings.
- Review > Language > Set Proofing Language: Ensures your text is marked with the correct dictionary, like English (United States).
- File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins > Go: Allows you to disable third-party add-ins that can interfere with the proofing tools.
Why Word’s Spell Check Stops Working
Spell check in Word is not a single tool but a system of settings and dictionaries. The most common reason it fails is a simple toggle being turned off in the proofing options. Word can also stop checking spelling if the document language is set to “Do not check spelling or grammar.” This often happens when pasting text from the web or another application.
Corrupted files are another cause. A damaged Normal.dotm template, which stores default settings, can break core features like spell check. Conflicting add-ins, especially grammar checkers or translation tools, can also disable Word’s native proofing. Finally, if the Office installation itself is damaged, the proofing tools may not function at all.
Steps to Fix Spell Check in Word
- Enable the core spell check setting
Go to File > Options > Proofing. Under “When correcting spelling and grammar in Word,” ensure the boxes for “Check spelling as you type” and “Mark grammar errors as you type” are checked. Click OK. - Verify the document’s proofing language
Select all text in your document by pressing Ctrl + A. Go to the Review tab and click Language > Set Proofing Language. In the dialog box, select the correct language, like “English (United States).” Make sure the box for “Do not check spelling or grammar” is NOT checked. Click OK. - Exclude specific text from being checked
If only a section has no squiggles, that text may be excluded. Select the problematic text. Go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language. Uncheck “Do not check spelling or grammar” and click OK. - Disable interfering add-ins
Go to File > Options > Add-ins. At the bottom, next to “Manage,” select “COM Add-ins” and click Go. Uncheck all boxes in the list and click OK. Restart Word and test spell check. If it works, re-enable add-ins one by one to find the culprit. - Reset the Word template
Close Word. Press Windows key + R, type%appdata%\microsoft\templates, and press Enter. Rename the file “Normal.dotm” to “Normal_old.dotm.” Restart Word; it will create a new, clean template. - Repair your Office installation
Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Find “Microsoft 365” or “Microsoft Office” and click Modify. Choose “Quick Repair” and click Repair. If the problem persists, run an “Online Repair” which is more thorough.
If Spell Check Still Doesn’t Work
Spell check works in one document but not another
This confirms Word itself is functional. The problem document likely has specific formatting or language settings. Open the problematic document and press Ctrl + A to select all. Go to Review > Language > Set Proofing Language and ensure the correct language is selected and the “Do not check” box is clear. Also, check if the document is protected. Go to Review > Restrict Editing. If protection is on, you may need the password to turn it off for editing.
The spell check dialog box does not open
When you press F7 or click Spelling & Grammar, nothing happens. This is often caused by a corrupted global template or add-in. Follow the steps to disable COM add-ins and rename the Normal.dotm file. If that fails, the issue may be with the Office installation’s proofing tools. Run an Online Repair via Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
Word underlines correct words as misspelled
The dictionary language is mismatched. For example, the text is British English but the proofing language is set to US English. Set the proofing language correctly for the selected text. You can also add the word to the custom dictionary. Right-click the underlined word and select “Add to Dictionary.”
Manual Check vs. Automatic Check: Key Differences
| Item | Automatic Spell Check (As You Type) | Manual Spell Check (F7) |
|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Continuously runs in the background as you type | Must be initiated by user via F7 or Review > Spelling & Grammar |
| Visual cue | Red squiggly underline under misspelled words | Opens a separate dialog box to review suggestions |
| Primary setting | File > Options > Proofing > Check spelling as you type | Works independently of the “as you type” setting |
| If language is set to “Do not check” | No underlines appear | The dialog box may open but show “No proofing errors” instantly |
| Best for | Catching mistakes immediately during writing | Final review of a complete document |
You can now diagnose and fix most spell check failures in Word. Start by checking the simple toggle in File > Options > Proofing. For persistent issues, reset the Normal.dotm template or run an Online Repair. Next, explore the grammar check settings in the same Proofing options pane to refine your editing tools. Use the shortcut Ctrl + A followed by Review > Language to quickly reset the proofing language for an entire document.