Office Settings & Configuration

Fix Word or OneNote Proofing Language Keeps Changing to English

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user has configured Portuguese (Brazil) as their preferred proofing language and keyboard, but Word or OneNote automatically reverts to English (US) during document review.

Product: Microsoft Word, Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Reviewing or typing documents in a non-English language.
Observed behavior: The proofing language switches back to English (US) automatically, ignoring the user's selected regional language preferences.

Before you start

Ensure you have completely selected the text you want to spell-check, and verify that your active Windows input method matches your target language before making changes in the Office application.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Windows Keyboard and Regional Language Configurations

OneNote frequently relies on your active Windows keyboard layout to determine the correct proofing language. Matching these settings often prevents unexpected changes.

Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings, then navigate to Time & Language.

Check Language Preferences

Go to the Language & region tab and ensure your preferred language, such as Portuguese (Brazil), is at the top of your preferred languages list.

Verify Keyboard Layout

Confirm that the active input method in your Windows system tray matches your preferred layout (e.g., ABNT2 keyboard) while using the Office application.

Solution 2

Reapply Proofing Language Settings in Word or OneNote

The issue may be caused by a one-time configuration glitch. Reapplying the settings manually can often override the bug.

Solution 3

Report the Issue via Microsoft Feedback

If the language continues to change automatically, it may be a persistent software bug that requires a developer patch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Switch to WPS Office for a Bug-Free Multi-Language Experience

If Word and OneNote keep frustrating you with unexpected settings changes, try WPS Office. It provides robust, stable language proofing tools and full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, all in a free and lightweight package.

1. Download WPS Office: Get the free installer from the official WPS website and complete the quick installation.
2. Open Your Document: Seamlessly open your existing Word documents without formatting loss.
3. Set Spell Check Language: Easily set your preferred language via the Review tab and enjoy uninterrupted typing.

Stable proofing language settings that do not change unexpectedly.Full format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx) and other formats.Free, lightweight, and incredibly fast to install across all your devices.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word keep changing my proofing language automatically?

Word often changes the proofing language because the 'Detect language automatically' feature is enabled, or it syncs with your active Windows keyboard layout as you type.

Does disabling 'Detect language automatically' solve this issue permanently?

In most cases, unchecking this option prevents Word from guessing the language based on what you type, effectively preventing unwanted switches to English for that document.

Is the proofing language tied to my Windows display language?

While it can be influenced by the display language, Word and OneNote are more heavily affected by your active keyboard input language (such as the ABNT2 layout) and regional formats.

Can I set a default proofing language for all new documents?

Yes, in the Set Proofing Language dialog box, select your preferred language and click 'Set As Default' to apply it to the normal template for all future documents.

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