Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Grammar and Refinements Settings Not Applying

Adam DavisAdam Davis Nov 3, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to stop grammar warnings from appearing in Microsoft Word after disabling the Grammar and Refinements settings.

How to Fix Word Grammar and Refinements Settings Not Applying
Product
Microsoft Word
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Modifying proofing settings to disable specific grammar and refinement checks.
Observed behavior
Grammar warnings continue to appear in the document despite the corresponding settings being turned off.
Before you start

Check if the issue occurs in just one specific document or across all your Word documents to determine the best troubleshooting approach.

Solution 1

Fix File Corruption by Copying to a New Document

Use this method if the grammar settings issue only affects a single document, which often indicates localized file corruption.

1
Select all text

Press Ctrl + A to select all the content in your current document, omitting the final paragraph mark if possible.

2
Copy content

Press Ctrl + C to copy the selected text.

3
Paste into new document

Open a new Word document and press Ctrl + V to paste the text, then configure your proofing options again.

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Try WPS Office for Seamless Word Processing

If Microsoft Word proofing errors persist or your Office installation requires complex repairs, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with built-in spell check and excellent format compatibility.

  1. 1. Download and install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your computer.
  2. 2. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Word file to continue editing.
  3. 3. Use Proofing tools: Go to the Review tab and click Spell Check to reliably manage your document's grammar and spelling.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do disabled grammar rules still show up in Word?

This typically happens due to document corruption, interference from third-party add-ins, or an outdated Microsoft Office installation that fails to apply the saved settings.

How do I turn off specific grammar refinements in Word?

Go to File > Options > Proofing, find the 'When correcting spelling and grammar in Word' section, click Settings next to Grammar & Refinements, and uncheck the specific rules you want to disable.

Will repairing Office delete my Word documents?

No, running an Office repair from the Control Panel only fixes the application files and registry keys. It does not affect or delete your personal documents.

How do I check if an add-in is causing my proofing issues?

Hold the Ctrl key while clicking the Word shortcut to open it in Safe Mode. If the grammar settings apply correctly in Safe Mode, a third-party add-in is likely interfering with Word's normal operations.