If you’ve recently switched to the new version of Outlook and noticed that the Editor button is grayed out or the spellcheck isn’t working, you’re not alone. These tools are essential for maintaining professionalism in your communications, and when they stop functioning, it can be frustrating.
The new Outlook has many such restrictions like being unable to export new Outlook emails in .eml format. The lack of such crucial features hampers your overall work productivity and that is why a lot of users end up switching back to classic Outlook. This post will guide you through common reasons for these issues and how to fix them.
Why Is the Editor Button Grayed Out?
Since new Outlook is designed as a substitute for Outlook for Web and not the classic Outlook, there are a lot of differences. However, the Editor tool, which includes grammar and spellchecking features, can become disabled for a variety of reasons. Below are the most common causes:
a. Outdated Version of Outlook
Microsoft frequently updates Outlook to add new features and fix bugs. If you’re using an outdated version of the app, some functionalities—like the Editor—may not work as expected.
Fix: Check for updates by following these steps:
- Open Outlook and click on File.
- Go to Office Account and click Update Options.
- Select Update Now to ensure you’re running the latest version.
b. Disabled Add-ins
Certain Outlook add-ins may interfere with the Editor tool, causing it to be grayed out.
Fix: Disable unnecessary add-ins to see if one of them is causing the issue:
- Go to File > Options > Add-ins.
- Under Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
- Uncheck any add-ins that you don’t need, then click OK.
c. Unlicensed Office Version:
If you’re using an unlicensed or expired version of Microsoft Office, some features, including the Editor, may be unavailable. To fix this, you need to check if your Office subscription is active. Go to File > Office Account and ensure that your subscription is up-to-date.
Why Is Spellcheck Not Working?
Spellcheck issues can often be tied to similar causes as the Editor button being grayed out, but there are a few additional things to check.
a. Spellcheck Not Enabled
In some cases, spellcheck may simply be turned off in your settings.
Fix: To enable spellcheck:
- Open Outlook and click on File > Options > Mail.
- Scroll down to the Compose Messages section and click on Spelling and Autocorrect.
- Ensure that both “Check spelling as you type” and “Mark grammar errors as you type” are checked.
b. Issues with the Language Settings
Incorrect language settings can also prevent the spellcheck from working properly.
Fix: To check your language settings:
- Go to File > Options > Language.
- Make sure that the correct language is set as the default and that the spellcheck is enabled for it.
c. Corrupt User Profile
Sometimes, an issue with your Outlook profile can cause problems with spellcheck and the Editor tool. To fix this you can create a new Outlook profile to see if the issue persists.
3. Other Common Fixes
a. Restart Outlook
A simple restart can often resolve many issues. Close Outlook completely and then open it again to see if the Editor button and spellcheck start working.
b. Repair Office Installation
If none of the above solutions work, there may be an issue with your Office installation. For this, you can run the inbox repair tool provided by the MS Office. This might help you to fix minor problems like this. However, many times inbox repair tool does not respond or fails to fix the major problem. In that situation, it is highly recommended to backup your Outlook data to prevent permanent loss.
Conclusion
Having the Editor button grayed out and spellcheck not working in the new Outlook can disrupt your workflow, but fortunately, the issue is usually easy to fix. By updating Outlook, checking your add-ins, and adjusting language or profile settings, you can get back to sending polished, professional emails in no time.
