Several factors can cause spell check to malfunction in Word. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve the issue:
Check the spelling checker setting: Ensure that the “Check spelling as you type” option is enabled in Word’s options. To do this, follow these steps:
a. Open the Word document where spell check is not working.
b. Click the “File” tab.
c. In the left pane, select “Options.”
d. In the Word Options window, select “Proofing” from the left pane.
e. Under “When correcting spelling and grammar in Word,” make sure that both “Check spelling as you type” and “Mark grammar errors as you type” are checked.
Restart Word: Sometimes, simply restarting Word can clear temporary glitches that might be affecting spell check functionality. Close Word completely, wait for a few seconds, and then reopen it.
Update Microsoft Office: Ensure you have the latest version of Microsoft Office installed. Outdated versions may have bugs or compatibility issues that can affect spell check.
Check for add-ins: Sometimes, add-ins can interfere with Word’s functionality, including spell check. Disable or temporarily uninstall any recently installed add-ins to see if it resolves the issue.
Reset Word’s language settings: Sometimes, incorrect or inconsistent language settings can cause spell check to malfunction. To reset the language settings, follow these steps:
a. Open the Word document where spell check is not working.
b. Click the “File” tab.
c. In the left pane, select “Options.”
d. In the Word Options window, select “Proofing” from the left pane.
e. Under “Language,” click the “Language Settings” button.
f. In the Language Settings window, click “Reset” and then “OK.”
Repair Microsoft Office: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can attempt to repair Microsoft Office. This will scan for and fix any corrupted or missing files.
a. Open the Control Panel.
b. Click “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.”
c. Select “Microsoft Office” and then click “Change.”
d. In the “Choose how you want to install or repair Office” window, select “Repair” and then click “Next.”
e. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
If the issue persists after trying these steps, consider contacting Microsoft Support for further assistance.