If Word is not underlining a typo—or keeps flagging a correct name—the cause may be a proofing setting, the text’s language, or a custom dictionary entry. The controls differ across Windows, Mac, and Word for the web, so start with the route for your version and then check the less obvious options below.
Where are Word’s spell-check controls?
| Word version | Where to look | What the control does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop | File > Options > Proofing | Includes the “Check spelling as you type” setting and document-level exceptions for hiding errors. |
| Mac desktop | Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar | Microsoft documents the automatic spelling-check setting here; labels can vary by app version. |
| Word for the web | Review > Editor > Set Proofing Language | There is no single spell-check on/off setting. The documented route applies “Don’t check spelling or grammar” to selected text or the whole document. |
Microsoft’s instructions cover multiple Word editions, but do not guarantee that every option appears identically in every build. See Microsoft’s Office spelling and grammar guidance and its instructions for Word for the web.
1. Turn live spell-check back on
On Windows desktop Word, open File > Options > Proofing and select Check spelling as you type. On Mac, Microsoft documents the control under Word > Preferences > Spelling & Grammar. If red marks have disappeared, confirm this setting before assuming the document itself is the problem. The exact menu wording may differ by version.
2. Check whether the document hides proofing marks
Windows Word also has document-specific exceptions that hide spelling and grammar errors. This means automatic checking can remain on while one document suppresses its marks. In File > Options > Proofing, review the exceptions for the current document and clear any option to hide errors if you want marks to appear.
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3. Recheck errors you previously skipped
If you dismissed or skipped errors and want Word to look for them again, use Proofing > Recheck Document in the documented Windows desktop route, then run the check again. This resets previously skipped spelling and grammar items; it is different from turning live checking on or off.
4. Add a correct name or term to the dictionary
For a person’s name, product term, or specialist vocabulary that Word repeatedly flags, right-click the underlined word and choose Add to Dictionary. Word will then recognize that entry during future checks. Be certain the spelling is correct: adding a typo can make Word stop flagging that incorrect form.
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5. Edit or remove dictionary entries
To review custom words, open the custom-dictionary controls, select the dictionary, and edit its word list. This is useful if an incorrect spelling was added accidentally or a term is no longer wanted. Microsoft notes that removing a word added to the custom dictionary is currently unavailable in new Outlook; that limitation should not be assumed to apply to every Word build. See Microsoft’s instructions for adding or editing dictionary words.
6. Choose which custom dictionary receives new words
When adding terms, Word uses a default custom dictionary. In the dictionary controls, you can choose a different default, including a dictionary associated with a particular language. This helps keep entries organized when you work with more than one language or terminology set.
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7. Set the proofing language for selected text
Select the relevant text, then choose Review > Language > Set Proofing Language. Set the language and regional variant that match the passage—for example, the appropriate English variety—so Word checks it against the intended spelling conventions. This matters in documents that mix languages or regional forms. Microsoft’s steps are in Set up or change the languages used to check spelling and grammar.
8. Use automatic language detection with care
Detect Language Automatically can help when a document contains multiple languages. But Microsoft warns that Word may not identify a non-default language in a short passage. If a brief section is being checked incorrectly, set its language manually instead. The relevant language and proofing tools must also be available for checking to work as expected.
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9. Check whether a passage is set to “Do not check”
In the Set Proofing Language dialog, the option Do not check spelling or grammar suppresses marks for selected text. Clear it when you want Word to check that passage again. In Word for the web, select the affected text—or press Ctrl+A to select the whole document—then go to Review > Editor > Set Proofing Language and clear the setting. Microsoft states: “Word for the web doesn’t have a single setting to turn spell check on or off.” Its web instructions are at Turn spell check on or off in Word for the web.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Keep AutoCorrect separate from spell-check
AutoCorrect substitutions are not the same as spelling marks. The Replace text as you type setting controls substitutions Word makes while you type; it does not control whether misspellings are underlined or which words the dictionary accepts. Word for the web offers fewer AutoCorrect options than desktop Word. See Microsoft’s AutoCorrect instructions.
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Why is spell check not working in Word?
Check likely causes in this order, starting with the scope that matches the missing marks:
- On desktop Word, confirm automatic checking is enabled where that control applies.
- Confirm the affected text has the intended proofing language.
- Check that the language and its proofing tools are available and enabled.
- Make sure Do not check spelling or grammar is not selected for the affected text.
- Review automatic language detection, especially for short passages in a non-default language.
- Check whether the word was added to a custom dictionary, which can make Word accept it without a warning.
- On Windows desktop, check for document-level exceptions that hide errors; if items were skipped, use Recheck Document.
Microsoft’s multilingual troubleshooting guidance covers language, tools, and dictionary checks. Editor’s spelling, grammar, and refinement features do not have identical language coverage; consult Microsoft’s current availability table before relying on a particular feature for a particular language.
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