Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word AutoCorrect Removing Spaces and Changing Apostrophes

Adam Davis Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are experiencing malformed AutoCorrect changes in Word for Microsoft 365, such as missing spaces and duplicated apostrophes, potentially caused by third-party add-ins.

How to Fix Word AutoCorrect Removing Spaces and Changing Apostrophes

Product: Microsoft Word (Microsoft 365)
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Typing text where the AutoCorrect feature is triggered to fix spelling or punctuation, particularly when using referencing tools or add-ins.
Observed behavior: Instead of properly correcting text, AutoCorrect unexpectedly removes spaces, duplicates apostrophes, and makes incorrect spelling changes.

Before you start

Before troubleshooting, check and note down your exact Windows and Microsoft Word version numbers, as you may need to provide them if you have to report the bug to an add-in developer.

Solution 1Recommended

Test Word in Safe Mode to Diagnose Add-in Conflicts

Use Safe Mode to launch Word without any third-party add-ins, helping you determine if a plugin like Zotero is the root cause of the AutoCorrect glitches.

Safe Mode is a diagnostic tool and not meant for a regular working environment. If AutoCorrect functions perfectly in Safe Mode, it confirms that a third-party add-in is causing the malfunction.

Open the Run Dialog

Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.

Launch Word in Safe Mode

Type 'winword /safe' in the input box and press Enter or click OK.

Test AutoCorrect

Type a few sentences that usually trigger the AutoCorrect bug. Check if the missing spaces and duplicated apostrophes still occur.

Test Word in Safe Mode to Diagnose Add-in Conflicts

Identifying the Culprit: If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, you will need to disable your add-ins one by one in normal mode to isolate the specific developer responsible for the bug.

Solution 2

Temporarily Disable the Problematic Add-in

Disable specific add-ins like Zotero during normal work to stop the AutoCorrect errors until the developer releases an update or patch.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Writer for a Seamless, Bug-Free Typing Experience

If Microsoft Word's AutoCorrect features continue to conflict with your add-ins, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and free alternative with smooth AutoCorrect functionalities that don't easily conflict with extensions.

1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website to download the free installation package.
2. Install the Software: Run the installer and follow the quick setup instructions to install WPS Office on your Windows device.
3. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing .docx file. You can immediately start typing with stable AutoCorrect performance.

Completely free and lightweight word processorFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatsStable AutoCorrect and spell-check features without heavy add-in conflictsFamiliar user interface allowing for instant and seamless migration

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word suddenly remove spaces after I type a word?

This is often caused by a conflict between Word's native AutoCorrect feature and active third-party add-ins, such as citation managers like Zotero. The add-in's background scripts can interfere with how Word processes spaces post-correction.

Is Microsoft Word Safe Mode a permanent fix?

No, Safe Mode is strictly a diagnostic tool that launches Word without custom settings, templates, or add-ins. You should use it to verify if an add-in is causing the issue, then apply a fix or disable the specific add-in in normal mode.

Should I report this bug to Microsoft or the add-in developer?

If testing in Safe Mode confirms that the issue goes away when add-ins are disabled, the bug is likely rooted in the add-in's code. In this case, you should report the issue directly to the add-in developer (e.g., Zotero support), providing your specific Windows and Word versions.

How can I turn off AutoCorrect entirely in Microsoft Word?

If you cannot disable your add-ins but need an immediate workaround, you can turn off AutoCorrect by going to File > Options > Proofing, clicking 'AutoCorrect Options', and unchecking 'Replace text as you type'.

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