Outlook Spell Check Not Working - What to Do?

Updated on September 09, 2023 by Armaan

Everyone wants an error-free copy for the email or piece of writing and for the same, email clients have done a lot of work. We all know that decently structured words show confidence in the work and make a positive impression on your readers. A reader might be a customer, coworker, or someone who is 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 matter 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 these errors.

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

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.

Spell Check Not Enabled: Sometimes, users may not have spell check enabled in their Outlook settings. Without this feature enabled, Outlook won't check for spelling errors in emails.

Language Settings: Outlook relies on language settings to determine which dictionary to use for spell checking. If the selected language is incorrect or if a language without a dictionary is chosen, spell check may not work as expected.

Custom Dictionary: Outlook allows users to create custom dictionaries to add words that aren't in the standard dictionary. If a misspelled word is added to the custom dictionary, Outlook won't flag it as an error.

Spell Check Not Working in a Specific Email: In some cases, users may experience spell-check issues in a specific email. This can happen if the email's language or formatting settings are different from the default settings.

Third-Party Add-Ins: Third-party add-ins or extensions can integrate with Outlook but may interfere with the native spell-check functionality. These add-ins might have their own spell-check features or conflicts with Outlook's.

Outlook Updates: Outdated or corrupted installations of Outlook can lead to various issues, including spell-check problems. Updates and patches are essential to maintaining the software's functionality.

Damaged User Profile: A corrupted user profile can cause various issues in Outlook, including problems with spell check. Creating a new profile can help isolate and resolve such issues.

System-wide Issues: Sometimes, spell-check problems in Outlook may not be limited to the application itself but could be part of a broader system or Office Suite issues.

What to do when Outlook Spell Check Not Working

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.

Solution 1. Restart the Outlook application and check again.

Users familiar with online activities can easily realize the importance of a restart. Restart is considered the first aid to all technical issues. Therefore, you must restart your Outlook and check whether the problem has been solved. 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.

Solution 2. If you are not 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 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.

Solution 3. Select the "Always Check Spelling Before Sending" checkbox for auto-checking.

Actually, a few variations on the process 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.
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.
4. Lastly, check the "Check Spelling before sending"

Solution 4. Using the Language Options, allow the proofreading at the template level

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

1. First, press on the New Email and click Preview.
2. Afterward, choose the language option and set the proofing language.
3. Then, 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.

Solution 5. 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. Whether you 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.

Solution 6. All in One solution for Microsoft Outlook errors

We know data is the backbone of an organization and 70% of organizations uses Outlook forthe collab and communication between organization and clients. Outlook holds several crucial emails and losing them or facing any glitch in Outlook can raise several problems. Keeping all these things in mind, we’ve developed an all-in-one solution for Outlook users named Regain Outlook PST Recovery tool, the software is a one-stop solution to resolve all Outlook errors including Outlook spell check not working errors.

Free Download100% Secure Buy Nowinstant delivery

The software is compatible with all Outlook versions and Windows operating system hence it is for all Outlook users no matter which Outlook variant you are using. Apart from this, we’ve embedded the software with an easy to use GUI, so even non-techies and novice users can use the software without assistance. Let’s know how it works:

1. First, install and open the Regain Outlook Recovery Tool.
2. The welcome screen of the software will display where you have to add Outlook Data file (PST) for recovery.
3. Now, browse the PST files from the system.
4. The software will now recover the items from inaccessible files and show a preview.
5. Now select the destination path where recovered PST files will get saved. Also, make the selection for the file format in which you want to save PST data. With the PST option, you also get an option to set size for the resultant files.
6. Finally, after the conversion, you will get a message "file conversion process has been completed". Click OK.

So, these were the simple steps to deal with any error associated with the Outlook data file.

Conclusion:

In the world of professional communication, polished and error-free text is essential to convey confidence and make a positive impression on your recipients. Outlook's built-in spell and grammar check feature is a valuable tool for ensuring your emails, reports, and other written assignments are free from spelling and grammatical errors. However, encountering the "Spell Check Not Working" error in Outlook can be a significant issue. This blog has explored the various reasons behind this error, shedding light on potential causes ranging from simple settings to more complex system-wide issues.

Moreover, if you want an all-in-one solution to tackle various Outlook errors, including the spell check issue, you can explore the Regain Outlook Emails Recovery software. This software is designed to cater to the needs of Outlook users, ensuring the security and integrity of crucial email data. Its compatibility with various Outlook versions and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for both tech-savvy professionals and beginners alike.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1: Why is spell check important in Outlook?

Ans: Spell check in Outlook helps ensure error-free emails, reports, and documents, presenting a professional image and avoiding misunderstandings caused by spelling and grammatical errors.

Q2: Why is spell check not catching all errors in my Outlook emails?

Ans: Spell check may not catch all errors if you have added misspelled words to your custom dictionary or if the language settings are incorrect. It's essential to review and adjust these settings to improve spell-check accuracy.

Q3: How do I check the language settings in Outlook?

Ans: To check language settings in Outlook, go to "File" > "Options" > "Language." Ensure that the correct language is selected for spell-checking and proofreading.

Q4: I'm using a third-party add-in in Outlook. Could this be causing the spell-check issue?

Ans: Yes, third-party add-ins can sometimes interfere with Outlook's native spell check. Try disabling add-ins one by one to identify the problematic ones, then update or uninstall them as needed.

Q5: Can outdated Outlook software cause spell-check problems?

Ans: Yes, outdated or corrupted Outlook installations can lead to spell-check issues. Ensure that you have the latest updates and patches installed. If the problem persists, consider repairing or reinstalling Outlook.

Q6: What should I do if I experience spell-check issues in only one specific email?

Ans: If spell check works in other emails but not in a specific one, check the language and formatting settings for that particular email. Ensure they are consistent with your default settings.

Q7: What is the Regain Outlook Recovery Tool, and how can it help with Outlook errors?

Ans: The Regain Outlook Recovery Tool is an all-in-one solution for various Outlook errors, including the spell check problem. It offers compatibility with all Outlook versions making it suitable for all users.