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

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:

• Options/Preferences -> General: Language and Appearance: "Check your spelling as you type"

You can look here for dictionaries:

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

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

• https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/use-firefox-interface-other-languages-language-pack

You can check the layout.spellcheckDefault pref on the about:config page.

• http://kb.mozillazine.org/layout.spellcheckDefault

i will

I tried the first solution and changed it to 2. That didn't work, still not offering dictionary when I right click. As I say, I had already tried everything in the second solution including installing a dictionary. Real shame I like this browser very much but the whole reason I stopped using Opera was because I wanted one browser that would do everything. I really don't want to swap browsers everytime I want to send an email. I had to swap for various reasons with Opera as many sites don't support it and it became tiresome :(

Oh yay! Stupid, stupid me, I had installed a language pack, not the dictionary. Now I have a dictionary it is all solved now. Both solutions actually helped but I can't choose both. Many thanks :)

You're welcome.

I noticed that you gave both our answers an unhelpful reply, so could you please at least give Fred's answer a helpful reply ?

Glad to help. Safe Surfing.

BTW, you should also check out 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.

Grammarly keeps everything you enter though so keep that in mind particularly if you are working on something for say a client where privacy is a concern.