How to Fix Spell Check Not Working in Microsoft Teams for Windows

Microsoft Teams is a widely used collaboration tool that allows you to chat, meet, and share files effortlessly. However, one feature that many users rely on — spell check — can occasionally stop working.

If you’ve noticed that Teams no longer underlines misspelled words or fails to suggest corrections, you’re not alone. This issue often occurs due to disabled proofing settings, corrupted Teams cache, or language configuration issues in Windows or Teams itself.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective methods to fix spell check not working in Microsoft Teams on Windows.

1. Restart Microsoft Teams

Before you dive into deeper troubleshooting, start with the simplest solution — restarting Teams completely.

1. Right-click the Teams icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner).
2. Select Quit.
3. Wait a few seconds, then reopen Microsoft Teams.

Sometimes, minor glitches in the background process can temporarily disable the spell check feature. Restarting the app refreshes it and may restore functionality.

2. Verify Spell Check Settings in Teams

Microsoft Teams includes a built-in spell check feature that depends on your system’s proofing language. If it’s turned off or configured incorrectly, it won’t highlight typos.

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings → General.
4. Scroll down to the Language section.
5. Ensure Enable spell check is turned on.

If the option is already on, toggle it off and then back on again. Restart Teams to apply the changes.

3. Check Windows Language and Region Settings

Teams uses your Windows language settings to determine which proofing dictionary to use. If your system language or region is set incorrectly, the spell checker might not function.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Time & language → Language & region.
3. Under Preferred languages, make sure your desired language (for example, English (United States)) is listed.
4. If it isn’t, click Add a language and install it.
5. Once added, click the three dots (⋯) next to it and select Move up to make it your primary language.

Restart your PC after making these changes, then reopen Teams and test the spell check feature again.

4. Clear the Teams Cache

A corrupted Teams cache can lead to all sorts of issues, including missing features like spell check. Clearing the cache forces Teams to reload fresh configuration files.

1. Close Microsoft Teams completely (right-click the icon in the taskbar → Quit).
2. Press Windows + R, type the following, and press Enter: %appdata%\Microsoft\Teams
3. Delete all files and folders inside the Teams directory.
4. Restart Teams — it will automatically rebuild its cache.

After the cache is cleared, try typing a message to check if misspelled words are now being underlined.

5. Repair or Reset Microsoft Teams

If spell check still doesn’t work, the Teams app installation might be corrupted. Repairing or resetting the app can fix missing or malfunctioning features.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Installed apps.
3. Locate Microsoft Teams in the list.
4. Click the three-dot menu (⋯) next to it and select Advanced options.
5. Scroll down and click Repair.

If repairing doesn’t fix the issue, click Reset instead.

After resetting, launch Teams again, sign back in, and test the spell check.

6. Ensure Teams Is Updated to the Latest Version

Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix bugs and improve functionality, including spell check.

1. Open Microsoft Teams.
2. Click your profile icon at the top-right.
3. Select Check for updates.
4. Teams will automatically download and install available updates in the background.

Once the update completes, restart the app to apply changes.

7. Reinstall Microsoft Teams

If the spell check feature is still not working after updates or repairs, a clean reinstall is often the most effective fix.

1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Find Microsoft Teams in the list, right-click it, and select Uninstall.
3. Once removed, go to the Microsoft Teams download page and download the latest version.
4. Install Teams and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Reinstalling ensures all program files and proofing settings are restored to their defaults.

8. Verify That Microsoft Editor or Office Proofing Tools Aren’t Interfering

If you’re using Microsoft Editor or Office apps like Word and Outlook alongside Teams, their proofing tools sometimes conflict.

Try temporarily disabling other proofing tools:

1. Open Word or Outlook.
2. Go to File → Options → Proofing.
3. Uncheck options like Check spelling as you type and Mark grammar errors as you type.
4. Close all Office apps, then restart Teams.

Now test if Teams’ built-in spell checker works correctly.

9. Check for Group Policy Restrictions (Work Accounts Only)

If you’re using Teams on a work or school account, your organization’s IT administrator may have disabled the spell check feature through a policy.

To check this:

1. Contact your IT department or system administrator.
2. Ask whether the spell check or proofing features are restricted in Teams via Microsoft 365 policies.

If policies are preventing spell check, only your IT admin can re-enable it.

10. Use the Web Version of Microsoft Teams

If the desktop version still refuses to detect spelling mistakes, try using the web version of Teams as a temporary solution.

1. Open your browser and go to https://teams.microsoft.com.
2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
3. Start typing in any chat or message box — your browser’s built-in spell checker should automatically underline mistakes.

Most modern browsers like Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Firefox include reliable spell check functionality, making this an effective alternative.

Wrapping Up

If spell check isn’t working in Microsoft Teams for Windows, it’s usually due to disabled proofing settings, language mismatches, or corrupted cache files. Start with basic steps like verifying spell check settings, clearing the cache, or repairing the app.

If none of those help, a full reinstall or switching to the web version should restore spelling corrections. Keeping both Teams and Windows updated also ensures you have the latest compatibility fixes and feature enhancements.

Once resolved, Teams will automatically underline misspelled words again — helping you maintain professional, error-free messages during chats and meetings.