Spell Check not working in Teams [Fix]

We have started noticing that sometimes Spell check stops working in Teams. Spell Check serves as a fundamental tool in effective communication, and any blow to it is quite disruptive to the workflow. In this article, we will explore common reasons why spell check might not be functioning as expected and how we can revert it to its previous state. So, if Spell check is not working in Teams for you, follow the solutions mentioned in this post.

Why is Microsoft spell check not working?

There could be various reasons why the Microsoft Spell Check is not working. Some of the common causes include incompatible language settings, disabled Spell Check feature, corrupted installation of MS Teams or MS Office, and so on. Outdated MS Teams and MS Office can also be contributing factors, so ensure that they are up to date.

Fix Spell Check not working in Teams

If Spell Check not working in Microsoft Teams, execute the solutions mentioned below:

1. Restart Teams
2. Disable and re-enable the feature
3. Change the language in Teams and Windows
4. Delete the Teams dictionary file
5. Use a different browser
6. Repair or Reset MS Teams

Let’s get started.

1] Restart Teams

Restarting Teams is a good troubleshooting solution, as Teams frequently receive updates and configuration changes from Microsoft. Doing so ensures that the app has the latest updates and configuration applied.

Furthermore, any temporary cache, memory, bugs, or glitches in the Teams will be wiped out. So quit the app, click Ctrl + Shift + Esc to navigate to the Task Manager, end all the tasks related to MS Teams.

Alternatively, you may reboot the device and then evaluate the situation.

2] Disable and re-enable the feature

If the spell check feature is not working, disable and re-enable the feature. One of the reasons behind this situation is that Microsoft Teams is prone to experience glitches or bugs that affect specific features, and in our case, this can also be the reason for the error.

1. Launch MS Teams, and select the three horizontal dots to open Settings from the menu.
2. Go to the General tab, untick the Enable spell check box, and select the Show hidden icon arrows on the taskbar.
3. Right-click on the Teams logo, select the Quit option and then relaunch the app.
4. Once inside the app, again select the three horizontal dots, click Settings, and this time tick the Enable spell check box.

Now, once again, relaunch the app, and see if the feature is now functioning fine or not.

3] Change the language in Teams and Windows

In this solution, we are going to ensure that the language settings in Teams and Windows match up to improve the compatibility between the two. Therefore, reducing the chance of any potential issues causing spell check to malfunction. To sync both the language in Teams and Windows, execute the steps mentioned below:

1. Click the three horizontal dots, click, and open Settings from the menu.
2. Go to the General tab, and then to App language, and then click the drop-down menu to select the preferred language.
3. Now, quit the app, select the language icon from the taskbar, and select the same language. Alternatively, users can click Win + I to open Settings > Time & Language > Language, and select the same language.

We don’t recommend you change your system’s language, instead, change that of MS Teams to match the language of your computer.

4] Delete the Teams dictionary file

Sometimes, the issue can be caused by the Teams’ corrupted dictionary file. Deleting this file forces the app to recreate it, potentially resolving any corruption issues. Click Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type the command mentioned below, and hit the Enter button:

%appdata%\Microsoft\Teams\dictionaries

Now, select the BDIC file, click the Trash icon, and then hit the Delete button. Once done, restart the app, and check if the red line is showing under a mistake or not.

5] Use a different browser

More often than not, spell-check issues in Teams or any such apps can be due to the browser a user is accessing the Teams on. To determine if the problem is isolated to the current browser, or if it’s a broader issue with Teams itself, switching to a different browser is a must-step. This can also help if certain browser extensions or add-ons are interfering with spell-check functionality in Teams. If the problem persists across multiple browsers, move to the next solution.

Read: Audio not working in Microsoft Teams; Low or no sound

6] Repair or Reset MS Team

Lastly, if none of the above solutions can do anything for you, repair or reset MS Team as it has worked for some users. To do so,

1. Click Win + I to open settings and then click on App.
2. Scroll down, locate and click on MS Teams, and select the Advanced option.
3. Scroll down and click on Repair.
4. Check if the issue is resolved, if the issue persists, scroll down, locate, and select the Reset button.

Please wait for the process to complete and for your settings to return to their default state.

Now type something and see if the Spell check is working or not. If this also doesn’t fix it, contact Microsoft Support or seek assistance from the IT department.

Read: Fix Microsoft Teams not downloading or showing files

How do I activate spell check?

To activate spell check, launch the app, click on the three horizontal dots, available on the top right corner, and select the Settings option. Now go to the Language section, and tick the box next to the Enable Spell Check box option. Voila! the feature is now ready to assist you in making no mistakes.

Also Read: Fix Microsoft Teams Login issues: We couldn’t sign you in.