FireFox Spell Checker Not Working Due to Missing Dictionary
Firefox web browser has built-in inline spell checker which automatically checks for spelling mistakes as you type in forms or text boxes in web pages. However, after installing Firefox, especially if you’re installing fresh for the first time, the spelling check may not work, and Firefox won’t highlight with red dotted underline any word that is misspelled.
The not working spelling checker in Firefox is probably caused by missing dictionary, or no dictionary installed. This is especially if you already ensure and double check that Firefox spell checker is enabled in Check my spelling as I type option in “Browsing” section of “General” tab under “Advanced” heading.
Check and verify that properly dictionary in the typed language is installed and added to Firefox. To check, simply right click on any user type-able field, and if you see an option Add dictionaries… as shown in figure below, that’s mean no dictionaries existed in Firefox, so spelling check won’t work.
To install and add dictionary, simply click on Add dictionaries… menu item. Firefox will launch a new window or tab to load Firefox Add-ons: Dictionaries page, where you can install various languages dictionaries that work with the spell-checking feature in Firefox. Restart Firefox after installing, and the spell checker should now works properly.
Ensure that Spell check this field is selected in right click context menu on the typing box that you want to check spelling. Another possible resolution if problem still exist is wrong or invalid language of dictionary is been installed. For example, only Portuguese or Spanish dictionary add-on is installed while you’re typing in English. To add dictionary, simply right click on any text field again, then go to Languages and select Add dictionaries…. Choose to install the correct language of dictionary in the web page loaded, and restart Firefox after installing.
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April 29th, 2008 00:50
Thanks very much for the tip about Firefox spell as you go not working on new installs! I would never have figured it out on my own.
May 1st, 2008 00:36
Thank you for this. I wouldn’t have got it otherwise.
May 15th, 2008 15:46
Thanks, it did the trick!
June 25th, 2008 23:48
Thanks for posting this, it came up in google. I had been wondering why it wasn’t working in the new Firefox 3.0. Especially helpful as I am a proof reader!
July 30th, 2008 19:47
Thanks, I wasn’t able to figure out where it went after the FF3 install, much obliged.