You’ve just finished composing a critical email, and you hit send, only to spot a glaring typo in the first line. It’s a sinking feeling we all know too well. While Outlook 365’s spelling and grammar checker is a great tool for catching errors, it can sometimes feel like it has a mind of its own.
This is especially true when your Outlook 365 spelling custom words not working becomes a persistent issue. If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by this, you’re not alone. Many users report that their once-reliable proofreading assistant has gone silent, leaving them to fend for themselves against embarrassing mistakes. But don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the most common causes and provide you with simple, step-by-step solutions to get your spell checker back on track.
Why Is My Outlook 365 Spelling Check Not Working?
When your Outlook 365 spelling check not working becomes a problem, it can disrupt your workflow and even undermine your professional image. After all, a polished, error-free email says a lot about your attention to detail. Part of maintaining that professional image includes securing your account, which is why it’s also a good idea to set up multi-factor authentication for Office 365. According to a study on the impact of typos, 74% of readers notice spelling and grammar mistakes, which can negatively affect their perception of your credibility. Before you can fix the problem, it’s helpful to understand what might be causing it. Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Incorrect Language Settings: One of the most frequent reasons for a malfunctioning spell checker is incorrect language settings. If Outlook is set to a language different from the one you’re writing in, it won’t be able to identify errors correctly.
- Disabled Spell Check Option: It may sound simple, but sometimes the “Check spelling as you type” option gets turned off. Moreover, this can happen after an update or if you’ve been adjusting other settings.
- Corrupted Outlook Profile: A corrupted user profile can lead to all sorts of issues, including a non-responsive spell checker. This can happen over time as your profile accumulates data and settings.
- Conflicts with Add-ins: Third-party add-ins, while often useful, can sometimes interfere with Outlook’s native features. If you’ve recently installed a new add-in, it might be the cause of the problem.
Simple Fixes to Get Your Spell Checker Working Again
Now that you have an idea of what might be wrong, let’s look at how to fix it. Here are a few simple solutions that can resolve the issue in most cases. While you’re in the settings, you might also want to customize other automated features for better control over your inbox, such as learning how to turn off suggested replies in Outlook.
- Check Your Language Settings: Go to File > Options > Language. Under “Office authoring languages and proofing,” make sure your preferred language is installed and set as the default.
- Enable Spell Check: Navigate to File > Options > Mail, and then click on the Spelling and Autocorrect button. In the “Proofing” section, ensure that the “Check spelling as you type” and check “Mark grammar errors as you type” boxes.
- Restart Outlook: Sometimes, a simple restart is all it takes. Close Outlook completely and then reopen it to see if the spell checker is working again.
The “Custom Words” Conundrum: Why Outlook Ignores Your Dictionary
One of the most frustrating issues is when your Outlook 365 spelling custom words not working properly. You’ve painstakingly added industry-specific jargon, company names, and personal acronyms to your custom dictionary, only for Outlook to continue flagging them as errors. This can be a real headache, especially when you’re trying to maintain consistency in your professional communications. The custom dictionary is supposed to be your personalized proofreading assistant, but when it fails, it can feel like you’re constantly battling your own software.
How to Tame Your Custom Dictionary
The good news is that you can usually resolve this issue with a few targeted fixes. The problem often lies with the custom dictionary file itself, which is typically named CUSTOM.DIC. Here’s how to get it back in working order:
- Locate Your Custom Dictionary: The
CUSTOM.DICfile is usually located in a hidden folder. To find it, you can search for%APPDATA%\Microsoft\UProofin your Windows search bar. Once you’ve found the file, you can open it with a text editor like Notepad to ensure your custom words are listed correctly. - Ensure the Dictionary Is Enabled: Go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Proofing, and then click on Custom Dictionaries. Make sure that your custom dictionary is listed and that the checkbox next to it is selected.
- Create a New Dictionary: If you suspect your current dictionary is corrupted, you can create a new one. In the Custom Dictionaries dialog box, click New, give the dictionary a name, and then add your custom words to it.
When Grammar Check Goes Rogue: Fixing “Outlook Grammar Check Not Working”
Just as frustrating as a faulty spell checker is when the Outlook grammar check not working becomes an issue. While a spell checker catches typos, the grammar checker is designed to spot more nuanced errors, such as incorrect punctuation, awkward phrasing, and subject-verb agreement issues. A single misplaced comma can sometimes change the entire meaning of a sentence. For example, “Let’s eat, Grandma” is an invitation, while “Let’s eat Grandma” is a horrifying suggestion. When your grammar checker fails, these subtle yet critical errors can slip through, potentially causing confusion or misinterpretation.
Troubleshooting Your Grammar Checker
The causes for a malfunctioning grammar checker often overlap with those for a spell checker. Here are a few specific steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:
- Enable Grammar Check: As with the spell checker, make sure the grammar check option is enabled. Go to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Proofing, and ensure that “Mark grammar errors as you type” is checked.
- Check for Conflicts: If you use a third-party grammar checker like Grammarly, it may conflict with Outlook’s built-in feature. Try disabling the add-in temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
- Run a Manual Check: To see if the grammar checker is working at all, you can run a manual check by going to the Review tab and clicking on Spelling & Grammar.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If you’ve tried all the solutions above and your spell and grammar checker is still on the fritz, it may be time for some more advanced troubleshooting. These steps are a bit more technical, but they can often resolve deeper issues within the Outlook application.
- Repair Your Office Installation: A corrupted Office installation can cause a host of problems. To repair it, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features, select your Microsoft Office installation, and then click Change. You’ll have the option to perform a Quick Repair or an Online Repair. The Online Repair is more thorough and can often fix more stubborn issues.
- Run Outlook in Safe Mode: Running Outlook in Safe Mode disables all add-ins, which can help you identify if a conflict is causing the problem. To do this, press Windows Key + R, type
outlook.exe /safe, and then press Enter. If the spell checker works in Safe Mode, you’ll need to disable your add-ins one by one to identify the culprit. - Create a New Outlook Profile: If all else fails, your Outlook profile may be the problem. Creating a new profile will give you a fresh start and can often resolve any lingering issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where is the custom dictionary stored in Outlook 365?
A: The custom dictionary, usually named CUSTOM.DIC, is typically located in the %APPDATA%\Microsoft\UProof folder.
Q: How do I reset the spelling and grammar checker in Outlook?
A: You can reset the spelling and grammar checker by going to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Proofing, and then clicking on Recheck Document. This will force Outlook to re-examine all the text in your email.
Q: Can I share my custom dictionary with other users?
A: Yes, you can share your CUSTOM.DIC file with other users. They will need to add it to their own Outlook profile by going to File > Options > Mail > Spelling and Autocorrect > Proofing > Custom Dictionaries and then clicking Add.
Take Control of Your Outlook Experience
Having your Outlook 365 spelling custom words not working can be a real source of frustration, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can get it back in working order. From simple fixes like checking your language settings to more advanced solutions like repairing your Office installation, there are plenty of ways to resolve the issue. By taking the time to address the problem, you can ensure that your emails are always polished and professional. Managing your availability is also important, so learning how to configure an out-of-office notification in Office 365 can be a great next step. After all, clear and accurate communication is key to making a great impression.
