Fix Microsoft Word Grammar and Refinement Settings Not Saving
Question details
The user is experiencing an issue where Word's grammar and refinement preferences do not save, causing options to revert and ignored suggestions to reappear.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adjusting proofing, grammar, and refinement options within the application settings.
- Observed behavior
- Grammar and refinement options immediately revert after being cleared, and previously ignored suggestions reappear when typing or reopening the document.
Close all open Office documents and save your work before proceeding. Ensure you have administrator access to your computer, as repairing or reinstalling software requires elevated permissions.
Update Microsoft 365 and Restart Word
Installing the latest Microsoft 365 updates can resolve known bugs affecting application settings and proofing configurations.
Microsoft frequently releases patches for Office apps. An outdated version might contain a bug that prevents preferences from writing to the configuration file properly.
Launch Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Click the 'Update Options' button next to Office Updates, and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu.
Wait for the updates to download and install, then completely close and restart Microsoft Word to see if the settings now save.
Repair the Office Installation
Running the built-in repair tool can fix corrupted Office configuration files that prevent your grammar settings from saving permanently.
Completely Uninstall and Reinstall Office
If updates and repairs fail, a clean installation ensures all corrupted configuration files are replaced with fresh ones.
Try WPS Office for a Hassle-Free Writing Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to struggle with saving your preferences or requires time-consuming repairs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, reliable, and completely free word processing experience that perfectly mirrors what you're used to, without the heavy installation footprint.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button for your operating system.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded setup file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and seamlessly open your existing Word documents to continue working without formatting loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my ignored grammar suggestions keep reappearing in Word?
This typically happens due to a corrupted Office configuration file or a synchronization issue within Microsoft 365, which prevents the application from permanently writing your proofing preferences to the system.
Will repairing Office delete my personal documents?
No, running the Quick Repair or Online Repair tool from Windows settings only targets the application's installation files. It will not delete, alter, or affect your personal documents or data.
How do I access grammar settings in Word?
You can access these settings by clicking on 'File', selecting 'Options', choosing 'Proofing' from the left sidebar, and then clicking the 'Settings' button next to the 'Grammar & Refinements' section.
Does WPS Office have a built-in grammar checker?
Yes, WPS Writer includes a comprehensive spell check and grammar tool that helps refine your writing, featuring easily customizable settings that save reliably between sessions.
