Outlook’s spell check can stop working, leaving typos and errors in your emails. This usually happens when the proofing language is set incorrectly or the feature is disabled. This article explains why the spell check fails and provides steps to fix it.
Key Takeaways: Fixing Outlook Spell Check
- File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect: This is the main menu to enable spell check and set the default editing language.
- Review tab > Language > Set Proofing Language: Manually sets the proofing language for a single message or selected text.
- Control Panel > Language > Windows Display Language: Ensures your Windows language pack is installed, which Outlook uses for proofing tools.
Why Outlook Spell Check Fails
Outlook relies on proofing tools linked to a specific language. If the language is missing or misconfigured, spell check will not work. The most common cause is an incorrect default editing language setting within Outlook itself.
Another reason is a missing language pack in Windows. Outlook uses the dictionaries and grammar files installed for Windows. If you switch your display language or install Office in a different language, the necessary proofing tools might not be present.
Spell check can also be turned off entirely in Outlook’s options. A corrupted normal email template or add-ins can sometimes interfere with the feature. The following steps will address all these potential causes.
Steps to Enable and Configure Spell Check
- Open Outlook’s main options
Click File in the top-left corner, then select Options from the left-hand menu. - Navigate to the Mail settings
In the Outlook Options window, select the Mail category from the left sidebar. - Access spelling and autocorrect
Scroll down to the “Compose messages” section and click the button labeled “Spelling and Autocorrect”. - Enable the main spell check settings
In the Editor Options dialog, ensure “Check spelling as you type” is checked. Also, check “Mark grammar errors as you type” if needed. Click the “Proofing” tab if you are not already there. - Set the default editing language
Under the “Choose Editing Languages” section, select your primary language from the dropdown menu. Click Add to set it as the default. Ensure it shows “(Default)” next to it. Click OK to save. - Apply changes and test
Click OK twice to close all dialog boxes. Create a new email and type a misspelled word to test. It should now be underlined in red.
Set Proofing Language for a Single Message
- Open a new email
Click New Email to start composing a message. - Go to the Review tab
In the new message window, click the Review tab on the ribbon. - Select the language
Click Language, then choose “Set Proofing Language”. Select the correct language from the list and ensure “Do not check spelling or grammar” is NOT checked. Click OK.
If Spell Check Still Does Not Work
Outlook does not show any red underlines
First, verify the feature is enabled in File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect. If it is, the Windows language pack may be missing. Open Windows Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Add your language and install the full language pack, including speech and handwriting features. Restart Outlook afterward.
Spell check works in Word but not Outlook
This indicates an Outlook-specific issue. Try starting Outlook in safe mode by holding Ctrl while clicking the Outlook icon. If spell check works in safe mode, a conflicting add-in is the cause. Disable add-ins one by one via File > Options > Add-ins > Go.
Grammar check is disabled or incorrect
Grammar checking is a separate setting. Go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect. Click Settings next to “Writing Style”. Ensure Grammar is checked in the Grammar Settings window. You can also adjust which grammar rules are applied here.
Outlook Spell Check Settings Comparison
| Item | Global Default Setting | Per-Message Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Location | File > Options > Mail | Review tab > Language |
| Scope | Applies to all new emails | Applies only to the active email |
| Primary Use | Set your everyday language | Check text in a foreign language |
| Persistence | Saved in Outlook profile | Saved with the email draft only |
| Requirement | Needs Windows language pack | Needs proofing tools for that language |
You can now fix a non-working spell check in Outlook. Start by setting your default editing language in the main options. For multilingual emails, use the per-message language setting on the Review tab. A final advanced tip is to use the Windows Language settings to download additional proofing tools for more accurate grammar checking in complex documents.