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Firefox's spellcheck suddenly stopped working, any ideas how to fix it?

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This is driving me a bit mad...

A while ago the spellcheck in FF just stopped working. I literally only have a single add blocker installed that I've always used. I've not made any system changes lately beyond installing a few games.

- I have the "check spelling as you type" box checked in the browser options. - I have the English language pack installed from here (The British pack installed currently) - I've opened about:congif in the browser itself and made sure the value for layout.spellcheckDefault is set to 1.

It doesn't work on any site.

Chrome is working fine, but I prefer to use FF.

- I've tried reinstalling. - I've tried unchecking and rechcking the box.

Any ideas where what I should try next?

Any help really appreciated!

This is driving me a bit mad... A while ago the spellcheck in FF just stopped working. I literally only have a single add blocker installed that I've always used. I've not made any system changes lately beyond installing a few games. - I have the "check spelling as you type" box checked in the browser options. - I have the English language pack installed from here (The British pack installed currently) - I've opened about:congif in the browser itself and made sure the value for layout.spellcheckDefault is set to 1. It doesn't work on any site. Chrome is working fine, but I prefer to use FF. - I've tried reinstalling. - I've tried unchecking and rechcking the box. Any ideas where what I should try next? Any help really appreciated!

Chosen solution

Sounds that you installed a languag pack. A language pack contains translations for strings in the user interface. For spellcheck you need a spell check dictionary.


Do you have a dictionary installed and selected?

You can see which dictionary is selected if you right-click in a text area and open the Languages sub menu. At least one dictionary should be installed and have a check mark to indicate that it is selected.

  • open the "Add Dictionaries" link to install a dictionary if you do not have one.

The spelling checker is enabled if [X] "Check Spelling" in the right-click context menu has a checkmark.

You can look here for dictionaries:

Note that for spell check you need a dictionary. A language pack provides string translations for the user interface.

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All Replies (4)

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Type about:config<enter> in the address bar. If a warning screen comes up, press the I Accept the Risk button. At the top of the screen is a search bar.

Type: layout.spellcheckDefault Its values are; 0 Spell Checker Off 1 Check Only Multi-Line Input Boxes. 2 Check Multi And Single Line Input Boxes.

Also, check the spellchecker.dictionary entry.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-use-firefox-spell-checker

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Grammarly for Firefox by Grammarly https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/grammarly-1/

Grammarly will help you communicate more effectively. As you type, Grammarly flags mistakes and helps you make sure your messages, documents, and social media posts are clear, mistake-free, and impactful.

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Chosen Solution

Sounds that you installed a languag pack. A language pack contains translations for strings in the user interface. For spellcheck you need a spell check dictionary.


Do you have a dictionary installed and selected?

You can see which dictionary is selected if you right-click in a text area and open the Languages sub menu. At least one dictionary should be installed and have a check mark to indicate that it is selected.

  • open the "Add Dictionaries" link to install a dictionary if you do not have one.

The spelling checker is enabled if [X] "Check Spelling" in the right-click context menu has a checkmark.

You can look here for dictionaries:

Note that for spell check you need a dictionary. A language pack provides string translations for the user interface.

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cor-el said

Sounds that you installed a languag pack. A language pack contains translations for strings in the user interface. For spellcheck you need a spell check dictionary.

This was exactly it. I had put that exact link https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/language-tools/ in my post originally (second point where it says "installed from here"), but I must have deleted it by accident when posting.

I had installed a pack from the first column, but not the second.

Did that just now and it fixed the issue entirely.

Thanks very much!