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How to Fix Word 2021 LTSC Spell Check Not Working
Question details
The user needs to restore the spell check and grammar functionality in Word 2021 LTSC after standard troubleshooting has failed.
- Product
- Microsoft Word 2021 LTSC
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Writing or editing a document where automatic proofing and error detection is required.
- Observed behavior
- Word 2021 LTSC no longer highlights or detects spelling and grammar errors, even after repairing Office and checking basic templates.
Before proceeding, try opening a completely blank new document and typing a misspelled word to determine if the spell check issue is happening application-wide or is restricted to one specific file.
Adjust Proofing and Language Exceptions
This is the most common fix. The issue often occurs because text is tagged to ignore spelling, or document exceptions are hiding errors.
Even if global proofing settings are on, Word allows individual documents or text selections to bypass spelling and grammar checks. Resetting these parameters forces Word to scan the text again.
In Word, click 'File' > 'Options' > 'Proofing'. Ensure that 'Check spelling as you type' and 'Mark grammar errors as you type' are checked.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Proofing window to the 'Exceptions for' section. Ensure both 'Hide spelling errors in this document only' and 'Hide grammar errors in this document only' are unchecked, then click 'OK'.
Press Ctrl + A to select all text in your document. Go to the 'Review' tab on the ribbon, click 'Language', and choose 'Set Proofing Language'.
In the Language dialog box, select your primary language (e.g., English). Crucially, uncheck the box that says 'Do not check spelling or grammar' so it is completely empty (not a solid square), then click 'OK'.
Try a Reliable Alternative for Document Editing
If Word 2021 LTSC continues to experience persistent bugs with proofing tools, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with robust built-in spell check functionality.
- 1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and run the quick installer.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word document. Formatting and layouts will be preserved.
- 3. Run Spell Check: Navigate to the Review tab and click Spell Check to immediately verify your document's spelling and grammar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Word skip certain misspelled words even when spell check is on?
This usually happens if the specific text has been formatted with the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' language attribute, which overrides the global spell check settings. Selecting the text and clearing this option in the Language settings resolves it.
How do I force Word to recheck the whole document?
Go to File > Options > Proofing and click the 'Recheck Document' button under the 'When correcting spelling and grammar in Word' section. This resets the spell check history and scans the document from the beginning.
Can a custom template cause spell check to fail?
Yes. If the default Normal.dotm template has 'Do not check spelling or grammar' applied to its default Normal style, every new document you create will inherit this issue. You may need to modify the Normal style in your template to fix it permanently.
What does 'Detect language automatically' do in Word?
This setting attempts to guess the language you are typing in and switches the proofing dictionary automatically. However, it can sometimes misidentify text, causing the spell checker to stop highlighting English errors. Disabling it can make spell check more reliable.
