This site will have limited functionality while we undergo maintenance to improve your experience. If an article doesn't solve your issue and you want to ask a question, we have our support community waiting to help you at @FirefoxSupport on Twitter and/r/firefox on Reddit.

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

check spelling doesn't work

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 860 views
  • Last reply by James

more options

The box check spelling as you type is marked and the check spelling still doesn't work

The box check spelling as you type is marked and the check spelling still doesn't work

Chosen solution

I've never had to install English language in order to get check spelling! I now added that green thing called English language pack and check spelling works! Now check spelling works here, in this box!

Read this answer in context 👍 0

All Replies (5)

more options

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

Perhaps you need a dictionary installed as only a few locales comes with a dictionary.

more options

It's English in question, James! Thank you!

more options

It is possible that you confused dictionary with language pack and that you actually do not have a dictionary installed.

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 enable or disable spell checking globally:

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.

You can check on the about:config page whether layout.spellcheckDefault is set to 1 (multi-line) or 2 (single-line).

more options

Chosen Solution

I've never had to install English language in order to get check spelling! I now added that green thing called English language pack and check spelling works! Now check spelling works here, in this box!

Modified by Pierre Dumas

more options

Pierre Dumas said

I've never had to install English language in order to get check spelling! I now added that green thing called English language pack and check spelling works! Now check spelling works here, in this box!

Language Packs are for changing the language of the User Interface. The Spell checker needs a Dictionary.


On https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/language-tools/

Installing a dictionary add-on will add a new language option to your spell-checker, which checks your spelling as you type in Firefox. Language packs change your browser’s interface language, including menu options and settings.

This article explains how to use the language packs. https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/use-firefox-another-language

Only the en-US Firefox come with a dictionary as the en-GB and en-CA does not.

Modified by James