How to Fix Word Spell Check Keeping Turning Off in One Document
Question details
The user needs to resolve an issue where the spell check feature repeatedly disables itself for a specific document.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Editing a large document where spell check and grammar formatting seem to have mixed settings or unexpectedly become disabled.
- Observed behavior
- The 'Do not check spelling or grammar' option keeps appearing as selected (often as a filled checkbox), and spell checking stops functioning for the document.
Ensure you have the document open in Word and that your spelling and grammar dictionaries are properly installed for your target language.
Reset the Proofing Language Settings and Clear Exclusions
Use this method to clear mixed formatting and force Word to re-evaluate the spell check settings for the entire document.
A filled checkbox next to 'Do not check spelling or grammar' often indicates mixed formatting states rather than the feature being completely disabled. Toggling the language settings twice can fully reset this behavior.
Press Ctrl + A on your keyboard to highlight all the text in your document.
Navigate to the Review tab on the top ribbon, click on Language, and select Set Proofing Language.
Temporarily select a different language (e.g., Afrikaans) from the list. Ensure 'Do not check spelling or grammar' and 'Detect language automatically' are completely cleared (empty boxes).
Click OK. Immediately repeat the process, but this time select your actual language, such as English (United States). Verify the checkboxes remain cleared, then select Set As Default and click OK.
Verify Spell Check Settings on Smaller Text Sections
Identify and fix the spell check issue if it is isolated to specific paragraphs rather than the whole document.
Use WPS Office as a Reliable Alternative for Document Editing
If Microsoft Word's spell check keeps giving you trouble due to mixed formatting glitches, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative with built-in spell check that works seamlessly with your existing Word documents.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the official website.
- 2. Open your document: Open your problematic Word document directly in WPS Writer without losing any formatting.
- 3. Use Spell Check: Go to the Review tab and click Spell Check to verify your document reliably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' box have a black square instead of a checkmark?
A filled black square (or minus sign) indicates mixed states within your selected text. It means some parts of your selection have the spelling check enabled, while other portions have it disabled.
Does 'Detect language automatically' interfere with spell checking?
Yes. If your document contains multiple languages, foreign words, or unfamiliar names, Word might incorrectly detect the language and switch dictionaries, effectively pausing your primary language spell check for those sections.
Can pasting text from the internet change my spell check settings?
Yes. When you paste text from another source, it can carry its own hidden language and proofing formats, which might include the 'Do not check spelling or grammar' attribute. Using 'Paste as Plain Text' can prevent this.
