Outlook Spell Check Not Working Error - What to Do?

Updated on November 20, 2022 by Armaan

Decently structured words instill confidence in you and make a positive impression on your readers. A reader might be a customer, a coworker, or anybody else who is really important to you. Spelling errors and grammatical errors detract from the substance of your emails, reports, or other textual assignments. To avoid this embarrassing situation, there is an in-built spell and grammar check facility in Outlook. However, it is a major issue whenever you encounter an Outlook spell check not functioning issue in a reply. In this post, we will focus on the various causes of the Outlook Spell Check Not Working errors and possible ways to fix this error.

What are the probable factors behind Outlook's "Spell Check Not Working" Error?

Outlook's inbuilt spell checker prevents us from making mistakes in our business emails and assignments. However, if the spell check in Outlook is not working, we may make several heinous mistakes that we fail to see because of the automated spelling checks. There might be a variety of explanations for such an abrupt halt in spell testing.

  • The functionality has been disabled.
  • The grammar checker does not support the language of the email.
  • The Outlook version is out of date.
  • Outlook is due for an upgrade.
  • Some other third-party add-ins have rendered the grammar checker inoperable.
  • Malware assaults are common.

What to do when Outlook Spell Check Not Working Errors comes

Actually, there can be multiple reasons behind the error. It is hard to say that all the users will have the same reasons that will result in the problem. That’s why experts have discovered multiple solutions for multiple reasons. Read the possible solutions as follows to stay away from your future difficulties.

Restart the Outlook application and check again.

Users who are quite familiar with online activities can easily realize the importance of a restart. Actually, restart is considered the first aid to all technical issues. Therefore, you must restart your Outlook and check if the problem has been solved or not. After troubleshooting, make sure to restart Outlook to see if the adjustments you made are activated or not.

Then you should also try to restart your PC. When nothing works, restarting your PC may be the solution. It has the potential to solve the issue altogether.

If you are in a hurry, then manually check the spelling and grammar.

You can verify for misspelled words by pressing the F7 shorthand key on your keyboard or by going to the "Review" tab in the top bar or in the ribbon and choosing the “Spelling & Grammar” option.

Outlook Spell Check Not Working Error

However, this technique of spell-checking email content is not automatic and involves personal work each time an email is sent. As a result, it is a moment of activity that is quickly overlooked. Users can attempt alternative manual techniques to prevent these efforts.

For auto checking, select the "Always Check Spelling Before Sending" checkbox.

Actually, there are a few variations on the process that vary in versions. If you are using Microsoft Outlook version 2019 or 2016 or 2013 or 2010, then read as follows:

  • 1. First, run the Outlook program on your device.
  • 2. Then go to the File tab from the ribbon.
  • 3. Afterwards, navigate to Options > Mail.
  • 4. Under the compose message section, check the "Always Check Spelling before Sending" option.
  • Steps to Reset Outlook Spell Check Error
  • 5. Lastly, press OK to complete the process.

If you are using Microsoft Outlook 2007, there is a small change to the steps. Read the following:

  • 1. Firstly, go to the Tools tab.
  • 2. After clicking the tools section, you will get some options.
  • 3. From the drop-down list of the options, choose and click on the "Spelling & Grammer” tab.
  • Resolve Outlook Spell Check Not Working issue
  • 4. Lastly, check the "Check Spelling before sending"

Using the Language Options, allow the Proof Reading at the template level.

Just like the previous method, there are some differences in the steps that vary between Outlook versions. If you are using Outlook versions 2019, 2016, 2013, or 2010, then follow the procedures as follows:

  • 1. Firstly, press on the New Email and click Preview.
  • 2. Afterwards, choose the language option and set the proofing language.
  • Steps to Fix Outlook Spell Check Not Working Error
  • 3. Then simply untick the "Do not check spelling or grammar" checkbox.
  • 4. As a result, press the set button.
  • 5. Lastly, press the Ok button.
  • If you are using Microsoft Outlook 2007, then you need to follow the procedures as follows:

  • 1. Pick the "Mail Message" option from the drop-down list that will appear after pressing the "New" option.
  • 2. Next, on the Mail tab, go to Home and click on the Proofing Group.
  • 3. Select the spelling option.
  • 4. Afterwards, set the language.
  • 5. Lastly, uncheck the "Do not check spelling or grammar" check box and then press the "Default" button.

Turn off the message-ignorance option.

Compose an email and see if the spell check is functioning on the full content or just a portion of it. Whether you have chosen to ignore specific areas in Outlook, it may fail to function in the surrounding area. The tool does not work.

If this happens, go to File > Option > Mail and uncheck the Ignore original message text in reply or forward option under Compose emails before clicking OK. Test again once you've changed the settings to see whether the problem has been repaired.

Are you having a PST file corruption issue? It can be the reason for this "Outlook Spell Check Not Working" error. Besides, due to PST file corruption, you can lose your valuable emails, attachments, and other things.

Final Conclusion:

If you want an effective solution to this problem, then you can use the Regain Outlook Emails Recovery software. This may be the most reliable program, with a straightforward and easy interface that allows anybody to effortlessly repair and recover their PST file in just a few basic steps.