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Fix Microsoft Word Automatic Proofing Settings Keep Disabling
Question details
Microsoft Word automatically turns off spelling and grammar checks by enabling the 'Hide errors in this document only' options unexpectedly.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing and editing documents where continuous spelling and grammar checking is required.
- Observed behavior
- Word repeatedly checks the boxes for 'Hide spelling errors in this document only' and 'Hide grammar errors in this document only', turning off automatic proofing despite the user's attempts to keep it active.
Ensure you have saved your current documents and completely closed Microsoft Word before modifying system templates or repairing the Office installation.
Disable or Update the Grammarly Add-in
Grammarly updates or add-in conflicts are a primary cause of automatic proofing issues in Word.
Third-party proofing tools often override Word's native spelling and grammar check settings. Temporarily disabling them helps isolate the problem.
Open Word, go to 'File' > 'Options', and select 'Add-ins' from the left menu panel.
In the 'Manage' dropdown menu at the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' and click the 'Go' button.
Uncheck the 'Grammarly' add-in (and any other third-party proofing add-ins) to disable it, then click 'OK'.
Restart Microsoft Word and check if the proofing settings remain active. If disabling fixes the issue, consider checking for a Grammarly update before re-enabling it.
Reset the Normal.dotm Template
A corrupted global template (Normal.dotm) can force incorrect proofing settings on all new documents.
Run Winword /r and Office Repair
Running a built-in configuration command and repairing Office can fix deep-seated software bugs.
Try WPS Office for a Bug-Free Writing Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with recurring proofing bugs, add-in conflicts, or corrupted templates, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in spell check that works reliably right out of the box.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package.
- 2. Install and Launch: Run the installer and follow the quick setup wizard to launch WPS Writer.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Open your existing Word documents directly in WPS Writer to enjoy seamless editing and reliable spell checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word keep hiding spelling errors in my document?
This is often caused by third-party add-ins like Grammarly overriding Word's native settings, a corrupted Normal.dotm template, or a specific document being formatted with 'Do not check spelling or grammar' applied to its underlying text styles.
How do I permanently stop Word from ignoring grammar errors?
Go to File > Options > Proofing. Ensure 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Mark grammar errors as you type' are checked. Next, uncheck 'Hide spelling errors in this document only' and 'Hide grammar errors in this document only' under the Exceptions section at the bottom.
Will renaming Normal.dotm delete my existing documents?
No, renaming the Normal.dotm file only resets Word's default formatting, macros, and preferences for new blank documents. Your existing saved documents and files remain completely safe and untouched.
What does the winword /r command do in Windows?
Running winword /r forces Microsoft Word to run a background setup that re-registers Word in the Windows registry. This is an effective troubleshooting step for fixing issues where Word behaves erratically or fails to launch due to registry corruption.
