Fix Word Proofing Language Reverting to English and Missing Hardware Acceleration
Question details
Users report that Word 2019 ignores their preferred proofing language (e.g., Danish) and repeatedly reverts to English (US) during spell check. Additionally, the option to disable hardware acceleration is missing from settings.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to write or edit a document in a non-English language without the spell checker incorrectly defaulting to English, or trying to troubleshoot display lag.
- Observed behavior
- Word automatically switches the dictionary back to English despite manual changes. The 'Disable hardware graphics acceleration' setting is completely absent from the Word Options menu and the Registry.
Ensure your computer's system keyboard language matches the language you intend to type in, as Word often detects the active keyboard input language automatically to set the proofing dictionary.
Set the Default Proofing Language and Disable Auto-Detection
Prevent Word from randomly switching dictionaries by turning off automatic language detection and forcing an update to your default document template.
Microsoft Word often tries to be helpful by guessing the language you are typing in. However, it frequently mistakes short phrases or names for English, reverting your entire spell check language. Disabling this automation is the most effective fix.
Click anywhere inside your document and press Ctrl + A to highlight all existing text.
Navigate to the Review tab on the ribbon, click on the Language button, and select 'Set Proofing Language' from the drop-down menu.
In the dialog box, uncheck the box labeled 'Detect language automatically' to stop Word from overriding your manual language choices.
Select your preferred language (e.g., Danish) from the list, click the 'Set As Default' button, and click 'Yes' when prompted to update the Normal template.
Manage Graphics Performance via Windows Settings
Since Microsoft removed the hardware acceleration toggle from newer versions of Office 2019, you must manage graphics preferences directly through Windows.
Switch to WPS Office for a Smoother, Multilingual Experience
Tired of fighting with Microsoft Word's hidden settings and stubborn language defaults? WPS Office offers a highly compatible, lightweight alternative with easy-to-use language tools and stable performance out of the box.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office for free from the official website and complete the lightweight installation in minutes.
- 2. Open Your Documents: Open your existing .docx files directly in WPS Writer; all your formatting and layouts remain perfectly intact.
- 3. Set Spell Check Easily: Navigate to the Review tab, click Spell Check, and confidently set your preferred dictionary without it auto-reverting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Word proofing language keep changing back to English?
This typically occurs because the 'Detect language automatically' feature is enabled. Word may misidentify words and switch the dictionary. It can also happen if your active Windows keyboard layout is set to English.
Can I disable hardware graphics acceleration using the Registry?
In older versions of Office, you could use the 'DisableHardwareAcceleration' registry key. However, in newer builds of Office 2019 and Microsoft 365, Microsoft has removed support for this key entirely, letting the OS handle graphics.
How do I change the default template (Normal.dotm) in Word?
When you select a new proofing language and click 'Set As Default', Word will prompt you to apply the change to the Normal.dotm template. Confirming this action updates the template automatically for all new files.
Will changing my Windows keyboard layout fix the proofing language?
Yes, Microsoft Word frequently matches the proofing language to your active keyboard layout. Switching your Windows keyboard to your preferred language via the Windows taskbar can prevent Word from defaulting to English.
