Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Word Spell Check Not Detecting Misspelled Words

John Wilson Oct 14, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to fix an issue where the spell check feature fails to flag and highlight misspelled words in a document.

How to Fix Word Spell Check Not Detecting Misspelled Words

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Writing or editing a document where typos and spelling errors need to be automatically detected and corrected.
Observed behavior: Misspelled words are ignored by the spell checker, usually because specific text selections have incorrect proofing languages or the "Do not check spelling or grammar" option is enabled.

Before you start

Ensure that the "Check spelling as you type" feature is enabled in your general Word Options (File > Options > Proofing) before troubleshooting individual words or paragraphs.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify Proofing Language Settings for Specific Words

Check the proofing language and spell check exceptions for the exact text that is not being flagged.

In Microsoft Word, proofing language settings are applied at the character or word level. This means a single word can have different spell check settings than the rest of the document.

If a specific misspelled word is not being flagged, its individual proofing properties might be incorrectly set to ignore spelling errors.

Select the affected word

Highlight the exact misspelled word that Word failed to flag with a red underline.

Open language settings

Navigate to the "Review" tab on the top ribbon, click on "Language", and select "Set Proofing Language" from the dropdown menu.

Uncheck spell check exceptions

Look for the checkbox labeled "Do not check spelling or grammar". If it is checked or filled with a solid block, click it until it is completely empty.

Confirm the dictionary language

Ensure the correct dictionary language (e.g., English) is highlighted in the list, then click "OK" to apply the changes.

Verify Proofing Language Settings for Specific Words

Mixed Settings Indicator: If the "Do not check spelling or grammar" checkbox shows a solid square or a dash instead of a checkmark, it means your selection contains mixed settings. You must click it until the box is completely clear.

Solution 2

Apply Correct Language Settings to the Entire Document

Reset the proofing language for the entire document to ensure consistency across all paragraphs.

WPS Office Built-in Spell Checker

Easily Manage Spell Check and Proofing in WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a robust, built-in spell checker that reliably detects misspelled words and grammar issues. You can easily switch proofing languages and customize spell check settings across your entire document without complex hidden character formatting.

1. Open your document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document you want to edit.
2. Run a spell check: Navigate to the "Review" tab on the top toolbar and click on "Spell Check" (or press F7) to run a full document scan.
3. Adjust language settings: Click "Set Language" in the Review tab to customize the proofing dictionary for specific text selections if necessary.

Highly accurate spell check and grammar suggestions.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx, .doc) document formats.Intuitive proofing language settings applied seamlessly to selected text.Lightweight, fast editing experience with a familiar interface.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word's spell check work on some words but not others?

This happens when specific words or paragraphs have the "Do not check spelling or grammar" option enabled, or are set to a different proofing language. Proofing settings in Word are applied at the character level, often carrying over when you copy and paste text from other sources.

How do I turn on automatic spell check in Word?

Go to File > Options > Proofing. Under the "When correcting spelling and grammar in Word" section, check the box for "Check spelling as you type" and click OK.

Will changing the Windows system language fix the Word spell check?

Not necessarily. Word relies on its own Office proofing tools and dictionary settings. You must ensure the correct Office language pack is installed and selected in the Proofing Language menu within the application.

What does a filled square in the "Do not check spelling" box mean?

A filled square or dash indicates a mixed state, meaning some of the selected text has spell check enabled and some has it disabled. You must click the box until it is completely blank to force spell check to be enabled for the entire selection.

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