Windows 10 reached EOS (end of support) on October 14, 2025. If you are on Windows 10, see this article.

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

French spell checking not loading

Hello, I am on the latest version of Thunderbird on a Windows 11 computer. Previously with a Windows 10 computer I had no problem spell checking e-mails in French. However with a new Windows 11 laptop the French dictionary although installed shows as not loaded on the dashboard and unsurprisingly does not function. I have restarted both Thunderbird and the laptop. No result. Any advice most welcome.

Best wishes,

Stephen Jefferson

Hello, I am on the latest version of Thunderbird on a Windows 11 computer. Previously with a Windows 10 computer I had no problem spell checking e-mails in French. However with a new Windows 11 laptop the French dictionary although installed shows as not loaded on the dashboard and unsurprisingly does not function. I have restarted both Thunderbird and the laptop. No result. Any advice most welcome. Best wishes, Stephen Jefferson

Chosen solution

Are you running the French version of Thunderbird? In that case you don't need to install any additional dictionary. The French dictionary is already built-in. Also check your Settings related to Spelling. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button ≡ > Settings Type "spell" (without the quotes) into the search box.

In case you installed TB for a different language you'll need to install the French dictionary. https://addons.thunderbird.net/thunderbird/language-tools/

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (3)

Hello there Stephen.

It looks like you installed a language pack instead of a dictionary. This often happens in Thunderbird (see: https://services.addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/language-tools/). Please try installing the correct dictionary. Does that solve the problem, or are there other issues? If so, could you send us some screenshots? You can find instructions here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-to-make-screenshots

Modified by Googlethunderbird.

Chosen Solution

Are you running the French version of Thunderbird? In that case you don't need to install any additional dictionary. The French dictionary is already built-in. Also check your Settings related to Spelling. At the top right of the Thunderbird window, click the menu button ≡ > Settings Type "spell" (without the quotes) into the search box.

In case you installed TB for a different language you'll need to install the French dictionary. https://addons.thunderbird.net/thunderbird/language-tools/

Modified by christ1

Hello there



Yes, use the link for other languages : https://addons.thunderbird.net/thunderbird/language-tools/ Yes, only installed language package/dictionaries go as default. Or, if the language is the same as the software, then you receive that language as the default dictionary onboard. Others are extensions to load


Use https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/installing-addon-thunderbird

Greetings googlethunderbird.

Modified by Googlethunderbird.

Ask a question

You must log in to your account to reply to posts. Please start a new question, if you do not have an account yet.