When spell check stops working in Microsoft Edge, first check the browser’s language and Writing assistance settings. Open edge://settings/languages, confirm spellchecking is enabled for the language you are typing in, and choose Basic or Microsoft Editor. If it still fails, test another text box to see whether the website is handling spellcheck itself.
Edge offers local Basic spellchecking and enhanced Microsoft Editor checking. The right fix depends on the selected mode, the website’s editor, and whether an organization manages Edge.
1. Check Edge’s language and spellchecking settings
- Open a new Edge tab.
- Enter
edge://settings/languagesin the address bar and press Enter. - Find the language you use when typing, such as English (United States) or English (United Kingdom).
- Make sure spellchecking is enabled for that language.
- Close and reopen Edge, then test a misspelled word in a normal text box.
Microsoft identifies this Languages page as the place to configure the languages Edge checks. Do not rely on old instructions to enable edge://flags/#win-use-native-spellchecker: Windows Spellcheck integration has been available in stable Edge since version 83, and the documented settings entry point is the Languages page. Microsoft’s Edge 83 spellcheck documentation
2. Choose Basic or Microsoft Editor under Writing assistance
Current Edge versions place these options under Writing assistance:
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| Option | What it does | Privacy and limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Performs local spellchecking on your device. | Typed text is not sent to Microsoft’s cloud spellchecking service. It focuses on basic spelling rather than enhanced grammar suggestions. |
| Microsoft Editor | Provides enhanced spelling and grammar checking in eligible text fields. | Typed text is sent to Microsoft’s cloud service for processing. Microsoft says data used for spelling and grammar checking is not stored and is deleted after processing. |
If Microsoft Editor is selected but suggestions are missing, try switching temporarily to Basic. A Microsoft Q&A user reported that this worked when misspelled words remained underlined but selecting them showed “no suggestions.” This is a user-reported workaround, not a confirmed universal cause. Microsoft Q&A report
3. Confirm that the website is not handling spellcheck itself
Edge’s built-in Microsoft Editor works in eligible text boxes where a website does not already provide spellcheck support. A site may use its own editor, dictionary, or spellchecking system, so changing Edge’s Editor setting may not control its red underlines or suggestions. Microsoft’s Editor guidance
- Open a simple text field, such as the address bar or a basic online form.
- Type an obviously misspelled word.
- Try the same test on the website where spellcheck appears broken.
If Edge works in a basic text box but not on one site, check that site’s own language, spelling, or proofreading controls. The built-in Edge feature is also separate from the Microsoft Editor browser extension for Edge and Chrome.
4. Check Windows language support
On Windows, Edge uses Windows Spellcheck when the required language support is available. Microsoft says additional languages can be installed through Windows Settings; if the required language pack is unavailable, Edge falls back to its earlier Hunspell-based spellchecking experience. Microsoft’s Edge spellcheck documentation
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- Open Start > Settings.
- Go to Time & language > Language.
- Select Add a preferred language.
- Search for the language and install it, including its language features when offered.
- Restart Edge and test spellchecking again.
5. Update Microsoft Edge
An outdated browser can contain bugs affecting language services, text fields, or Editor integration. Check for an update:
- Select Settings and more (the three-dot button).
- Choose Help and feedback > About Microsoft Edge, or open
edge://settings/help. - Allow Edge to check for updates.
- If you see Download and install, select it. If you see Restart, select it to finish the update.
A fully updated browser displays Microsoft Edge is up to date. Edge normally updates automatically when restarted, but manual action may be required on a metered connection. The About page may show Download and install updates automatically and Download updates over metered connections; these controls may be unavailable if an organization manages Edge. Microsoft’s Edge update guidance
6. Temporarily disable unnecessary extensions
Extensions can interfere with text boxes, page scripts, or proofreading tools. Microsoft recommends disabling unnecessary extensions when Edge behaves unexpectedly, but does not identify one extension as a universal cause of spellcheck failure. Microsoft’s Edge troubleshooting guidance
- Open
edge://extensions. - Turn off extensions that modify text, privacy filtering, writing, translation, or page content.
- Restart Edge and test spellcheck.
- If the problem disappears, re-enable extensions one at a time to identify a possible conflict.
7. Clear Edge’s cached data
Clearing cached files can remove stale site resources involved in a text editor. It does not change Edge’s language preference. Microsoft documents this path: Edge troubleshooting.
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- Select Settings and more > History.
- Select Open history page.
- Choose Delete browsing data.
- Set the time range to All time.
- Select Browsing history and Cached images and files.
- Select Clear now.
- Restart Edge and test the affected page.
To keep browsing history, leave that option cleared and clear only cached files.
8. Check whether a work or school policy disabled Microsoft Editor
On a managed computer, an administrator can disable Microsoft Editor independently of local spellchecking. The policy is Spell checking provided by Microsoft Editor, identifier MicrosoftEditorProofingEnabled. Microsoft Edge policy documentation
The policy is under Administrative Templates/Microsoft Edge. The registry path is SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge, the value name is MicrosoftEditorProofingEnabled, and its type is REG_DWORD.
If the policy is disabled, Edge can still receive results from local platform or Hunspell spellchecking, though Microsoft says they may be less informative. The policy has no effect if SpellcheckEnabled is disabled or the user has turned spellchecking off in Edge. It applies per profile, supports mandatory but not recommended management, and does not apply to a profile signed in with a Microsoft account. If your organization manages Edge, contact its administrator rather than changing registry settings yourself.
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9. Repair Edge on Windows
If spellchecking is still broken across multiple websites, repair the browser installation. Microsoft says repair requires Edge to be closed, administrator rights, and an internet connection, and should not affect browser data or settings. Microsoft’s repair instructions
- Close all Edge windows.
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge.
- Select the three-dot menu next to it and choose Modify.
- Select Repair and follow the instructions.
Modify may be unavailable when an organization installed and manages Edge.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Report the problem if the settings are correct
If Basic spellchecking fails in ordinary text fields after updating, checking Windows language support, and repairing Edge, report it through Settings and more > Help and feedback > Send feedback. Microsoft’s reporting guidance
Include your Edge version from edge://settings/help, the language being checked, whether Basic or Microsoft Editor is selected, whether the problem affects every text box or one site, whether words are underlined but show “no suggestions,” and whether the device is managed by work or school.
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A quick diagnosis table
| Symptom | Most useful next step |
|---|---|
| No red underline anywhere | Open edge://settings/languages and verify spellchecking and the selected language. |
| Words are underlined but there are no suggestions | Switch Writing assistance from Microsoft Editor to Basic and test again. |
| It fails on one website only | Check the website’s own editor or spellcheck settings. |
| Only one language fails | Add the language in Windows and confirm it in Edge’s Languages settings. |
| Editor is missing on a work device | Ask the administrator to check MicrosoftEditorProofingEnabled. |
| Edge has several unrelated problems | Update, disable unnecessary extensions, clear cache, then repair Edge if necessary. |
FAQ
Where is spellcheck in Microsoft Edge?
Open edge://settings/languages. Select the language you type in and check the spellchecking and Writing assistance settings.
Is Microsoft Editor built into Edge?
Yes. Microsoft Editor is built into Edge and is separate from the Microsoft Editor browser extension available for Edge and Chrome.
Does Edge Basic spellchecking send my text to Microsoft?
No. Microsoft describes Basic as local spellchecking performed on the device, with text not sent to its cloud spellchecking service.
Why does Edge underline a word but show no suggestions?
A user-reported workaround is to switch Writing assistance from Microsoft Editor to Basic. Also test another text box, because a website may use its own editor. This is not a confirmed universal cause.
Why does spellcheck work on one website but not another?
Edge’s built-in Editor works in eligible text boxes where the website does not already provide spellcheck support. A site using its own editor may not respond to Edge’s setting.
Should I use the win-use-native-spellchecker Edge flag?
No. It is outdated advice, not the current standard procedure. Use edge://settings/languages and install required Windows language support instead.
The Bottom Line
Start with edge://settings/languages: verify the language, confirm spellchecking is enabled, and test Basic if Microsoft Editor produces no suggestions. Then check the website’s editor, Windows language support, Edge updates, extensions, and cache. On managed devices, an administrator may have disabled Microsoft Editor. If the failure affects every text field, update or repair Edge before reporting it through Help and feedback > Send feedback.
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