Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Outlook on the Web Spell Check and Autocorrect Not Working

Camila Milosovich Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

Multiple Microsoft 365 Basic users are unable to use automatic spell checking or autocorrection in Outlook on the web.

Fix Outlook on the Web Spell Check and Autocorrect Not Working

Product: Outlook on the Web
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Drafting emails where spelling errors need to be automatically highlighted and corrected.
Observed behavior: Spell check and autocorrection fail to function, even though the relevant Microsoft Editor settings appear to be enabled.

Before you start

Verify that your web browser's built-in spell checker is enabled and ensure no third-party grammar extensions are conflicting with Outlook's internal proofing tools.

Solution 1Recommended

Clear Browser Data and Test in InPrivate Mode

Clearing corrupted browser cache and using a private window helps bypass conflicting browser extensions or outdated site data.

Web-based applications like Outlook heavily rely on your browser's cache to function properly. Sometimes, outdated cache files or third-party extensions (like ad blockers) can interfere with background scripts responsible for autocorrection.

Clear cache and cookies

Open your browser settings, navigate to the Privacy and Security section, and clear your browsing data, specifically checking cache and cookies.

Open an InPrivate window

Launch an Incognito or InPrivate browsing session. In Chrome or Edge, you can do this by pressing Ctrl+Shift+N (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+N (Mac).

Test Outlook web

Log into your Microsoft 365 account in the private window, compose a new email, and type some misspelled words to check if autocorrect and spell check are working.

Clear Browser Data and Test in InPrivate Mode

Extension Conflict: If spell check works in the InPrivate window, a browser extension is likely causing the issue. Disable your extensions one by one in normal mode to isolate the culprit.

Solution 2

Escalate to the Microsoft 365 Administrator

If local troubleshooting fails, the issue may be a backend service glitch that requires Microsoft support intervention.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did spell check suddenly stop working in Outlook on the web?

This can happen due to a recent browser update, corrupted browser cache, conflicting grammar-checking extensions (like Grammarly), or a backend update from Microsoft that temporarily breaks the Editor feature.

How do I check if Microsoft Editor is enabled in Outlook web?

Click the Gear icon (Settings) in the top right corner of Outlook web, navigate to Mail > Compose and reply, and scroll down to Microsoft Editor settings. Ensure that the spelling and grammar toggles are turned on.

Does my browser's native spell checker conflict with Outlook?

Sometimes. Outlook on the web uses its own Microsoft Editor for proofing. If your browser (like Edge or Chrome) also has aggressive spell-checking turned on, it might override or conflict with Outlook's built-in tool. Try disabling the browser-level spell check to see if Outlook's Editor takes over.

What should I do if only one specific user is affected?

If only one user is facing this issue, focus on their local machine. Clear their browser data, test on a different browser (e.g., Firefox or Edge instead of Chrome), and ensure their browser language settings match the language they are typing in.

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