How to Fix Cannot Install Grammarly Add-In for Microsoft Word
Question details
The user is unable to successfully install or enable the Grammarly add-in within Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to install a third-party add-in (Grammarly) in a corporate, school, or restricted Microsoft 365 environment.
- Observed behavior
- The installation of the Grammarly add-in is blocked or fails, accompanied by an error message suggesting the user contact their IT administrator.
Verify whether you are using a personal computer or a company-issued device, as organizations frequently enforce security policies that block unauthorized Office add-in installations.
Contact Your IT Administrator for Add-in Approvals
The most common reason for this error is organizational policies restricting software installations on Microsoft 365 accounts.
Enterprise and educational Microsoft 365 accounts often have strict Group Policies in place. These policies prevent users from installing third-party applications, including popular add-ins like Grammarly, to maintain network security and compliance.
Take a screenshot or note down the exact error message you receive when attempting to install Grammarly from the Microsoft Store or via the installer.
Send a request to your organization's IT department or system administrator explaining that you need the Grammarly add-in for your daily writing tasks.
Ask the administrator to approve, deploy, or enable the Grammarly add-in specifically for your Microsoft 365 account.
Have the administrator confirm that Office add-in installations are globally permitted under the current security policy for your user group.
Use the Grammarly Web Editor as an Alternative
If your IT department cannot grant you permission to install the Word add-in, you can use the web-based version of Grammarly.
Try WPS Office as a Lightweight Editing Solution
If Microsoft Word's strict organizational policies are preventing you from writing efficiently, try WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, feature-rich office suite with robust built-in spell checking, meaning you won't need to struggle with complex add-in installations.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install the Suite: Run the installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the software.
- 3. Start Writing: Launch WPS Writer, open your existing Word documents, and utilize the built-in proofing tools seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Get Add-ins' button greyed out in Microsoft Word?
This typically occurs when your organization's IT administrator has disabled the use of the Office Store via Group Policy, or if your document is in Compatibility Mode. You must contact your IT department to re-enable access to the add-in store.
Can I install Grammarly for Word without admin rights?
The Microsoft Word add-in via the Office Store requires your Microsoft 365 account to have add-in permissions granted by your organization. If you try to install the desktop application version of Grammarly, you may also need local Windows or Mac administrator credentials depending on your machine's setup.
Does Grammarly support WPS Office?
Grammarly does not offer a specific add-in built for WPS Office. However, you can use 'Grammarly for Windows' or 'Grammarly for Mac'. These desktop applications run in the background and provide a floating widget to check your text in almost any desktop app, including WPS Writer.
How do I check if my Microsoft 365 account is managed by an organization?
Open Microsoft Word, go to 'File' > 'Account', and look under 'Product Information'. If you see 'Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise' or a message stating 'Managed by your organization', your IT administrator controls your account and add-in permissions.
