Spelling & Grammar Check is Not Working in Outlook

Pooja Chaudhary
Pooja Chaudhary linkedin | Updated On - January 04, 2023 |

Read time 4 minutes

Today through this blog, we will discuss spelling and grammar checks in Outlook. Recently I found that while using Microsoft Outlook, one might feel the need to check the spelling and grammar of the email message typed before sending it. When auto spelling and grammar check are not working in Outlook and the user to forgets to check the word spellings in the written script thinking that the spell check is enabled and sends the letter full of spelling mistakes. A message full of grammatical errors can look miserable to a teammate or client. So, therefore, to avoid such awkwardness, I’m going to explain several ways to resolve the issue of Outlook spelling and grammar check not working.

Causes of the ‘Spell Check not Working’ Issue in Outlook

The automatic spell check in Outlook saves us from making blunders in our professional emails and reports. But, when spell check in Outlook not working, we may make some gruesome mistakes that we overlook due to the automatic spelling checks. There can be different reasons behind such sudden stopping of spell checking.

  • The feature has been turned off.
  • The language of the email is not supported by the grammar checker.
  • The Outlook version is old.
  • An update is pending for Outlook.
  • Any other third-party add-ins have stopped the grammar checker from working.
  • Malware attacks.
Manual methods

Here are some ways that will help you fix the problems of the Spelling & Grammar checker.

Please note: While using Excel, the spelling and grammar checker doesn’t highlight as you type. You will have to manually initiate checking by selecting Review >> Spelling or pressing the F7 key on your keyboard.
Method 1- Check Manually for Spelling and Grammar Before Sending

You can check for spellings with the F7 shortcut key on your keyboard or you can click the Review tab from the menu bar and click on the Spelling & Grammar.

Check Manually for Spelling and Grammar

Another way to set up spelling and grammar check in Outlook is given here in simple steps:

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010

Step 1– Open Outlook and go to File

Step 2– Now go to Options and click on Mail.

Step 3– Under Compose Message, select Always check spelling before sending. And click on the OK.

Always check spelling before sending

For MS Outlook 2007:

Step 1– Click Tools and go to Options.

Step 2– Click the Spelling tab and select Always Check Spelling before Sending

Method 2- Enable Proof Reading at Template Level Using Language Options

You can also enable and disable spelling and grammar checking at the template level for every email message you send. To do so, follow the steps mentioned:

For Outlook 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010

Step 1– Click on New Email.

Step 2– Now click Review and go to Language.

Step 3– In the language set Proofing Language.

Step 4– Now uncheck Do not check spelling or grammar and click Set as Default.

Step 5– Hit the OK button to finalize the settings.

uncheck Do not check spelling or grammar

For MS Outlook 2007:

Step 1– Click on New and Select Mail Message.

Step 2– In the Home tab in the Proofing group, go to Spelling.

Step 3– Now in Set Language, uncheck Do not check spelling or grammar.

Step 4– Click the Default button.

By following the above steps, you can disable and enable spelling and grammar check for different languages as required and apply the changes at the template level.

Final Words:

Hope you find this blog helpful and above discussed manual strategies can help from embarrassment because of the issue of Outlook spelling and grammar check not working. But sometimes manual solutions may not provide the desired outcome. If the steps are not followed as explained, the process might not be helpful then. Hence it is advised to utilize an expert utility instead to keep the data intact and original as well.