How to Fix Grammarly Add-In Not Working on Microsoft Word

Can’t figure out why the Grammarly add-in is not working on Microsoft Word?

Grammarly is one of the best grammar-checking tools for word processor applications like Microsoft Word. With Grammarly, you can catch grammatical errors in your documents and correct them without exerting any effort. 

Unfortunately, several users have been complaining about the add-in not working on Microsoft Word. 

Depending on the situation, this problem could be due to a bug in your software, improper configurations, or corrupted data. However, third-party apps, add-ins, and outdated app versions could also cause issues with Grammarly. 

Most of the time, a fresh install of Grammarly gets it up and running again. However, there are instances when the issue gets worse even after reinstalling. 

If the Grammarly add-in is not working on your computer, you’ve come to the right place. 

In this guide, we will show you what to do if you are having a hard time using Grammarly with Microsoft Word. 

Let’s get right into it!

1. Restart Your Computer. 

Whenever you encounter issues with Microsoft Word, the first thing you should do is restart your computer. This should allow your system to reload the necessary resources for Grammarly and MS Word. 

Here’s how you can restart your PC: 

1. First, press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Start Menu. 
2. After that, access the Power Options tab. 
3. Lastly, choose Restart and wait for your system to reboot. 

Go back to Microsoft Word afterward and check if Grammarly works. 

2. Check Your Network Connection. 

Although Grammarly is installed locally on your computer, it needs a stable internet connection to function. If your network is slow, expect issues to occur while using Grammarly on Microsoft Word.

To check if the problem is with your connection, run a test using Fast.com to measure your network’s bandwidth. 

If the result indicates an issue with your network, restart your modem or router to re-establish the link with your ISP’s servers. Unplug your router from the outlet and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it back in. 

Once done, perform another test to check if the problem is solved. If not, report the issue to your provider and ask them to fix their service. 

3. Check Your Blocked Apps. 

Grammarly has a feature that lets you block applications for privacy concerns. When an app is blocked, you won’t be able to use the Grammarly add-in until you remove the app from the list. 

If Grammarly is not working on Microsoft Word, see the steps below to check your configurations: 

1. On your computer, click the Up arrow in the Taskbar to show your hidden icons. 
2. After that, right-click on Grammarly and access the Settings. 
3. Now, go to the Blocked Apps section. 
4. Finally, remove Microsoft Word if the app is on the list.

Relaunch Microsoft Word afterward, and the Grammarly add-in should work. 

4. Check Your Account.

Grammarly is a subscription-based service, which means that you’ll have to pay a monthly fee to continue using its features. If you do not see any grammar suggestions from the Grammarly add-in, there might be an issue with your account. 

To fix this, access your account using a browser and check if your subscription is still active. 

5. Remove Microsoft Word Add-Ins. 

Grammarly itself is an add-in for Microsoft Word. However, there might be other add-ins installed on your computer that conflict with the Grammarly add-in, explaining why it’s not working. 

To rule this out, see the steps below to turn off other add-ins on Word: 

1. On MS Word, go to the File tab and click on Options. 
2. Now, access the Add-Ins tab. 
3. Finally, turn off all your add-ins or the ones you are not using. 

Go back to your document and check if Grammarly is now working. 

6. Run Microsoft Word As Admin. 

Microsoft Word might not have the proper privileges to access Grammarly and other resources on your computer. To rule this out, try running the software as an administrator to give it full access to your system. 

Here’s what you need to do: 

1. On your desktop, locate Microsoft Word and right-click on it. 
2. Next, choose the Properties option. 
3. After that, go to the Compatibility tab and enable the ‘Run this Program as an Administrator’ option. 
4. Lastly, click OK to save the changes. 

Once done, relaunch Microsoft Word and see if Grammarly works. 

7. Update Microsoft Word. 

The version of Microsoft Word you are using might not be compatible with the Grammarly add-in, causing various issues. If this is the case, you can simply update your software to fix the problem. 

See the guide below to update MS Word: 

1. First, go to File > Accounts. 
2. After that, click on Update Options. 
3. Lastly, choose Update Now and follow the prompts. 

Try using the Grammarly add-in again to check if the problem is solved. 

8. Disable Windows Defender. 

Windows Defender is the built-in virus protection of Windows. While it works most of the time, there are instances when the tool gets too protective and block safe applications like Microsoft Word and Grammarly. 

If the Grammarly add-in is not working correctly, you can try disabling Windows Defender in the meantime. 

That ends our guide for fixing the Grammarly add-in if it’s not working on Microsoft Word. If you have questions or other concerns, please drop a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂