Grammarly Not Working Troubleshooting Common Issues Status

Grammarly is a powerful writing assistant used by millions to improve clarity, tone, and grammar in emails, documents, and online forms. But when it stops working—failing to load, disappearing from browsers, or not catching errors—the disruption can slow down productivity. If you're facing \"Grammarly not working\" issues, you're not alone. Many users encounter similar problems due to updates, browser conflicts, or extension misconfigurations. This guide walks through the most effective troubleshooting steps, explains how to check Grammarly’s service status, and offers long-term solutions to keep your writing support running smoothly.

Check Grammarly Service Status First

Before diving into complex fixes, confirm whether the issue lies with Grammarly itself. The platform occasionally experiences outages, server delays, or regional disruptions that affect user access.

Visit status.grammarly.com to see real-time updates on system performance. The page displays the operational status of:

• Browser extension
• Desktop app (Windows/macOS)
• Mobile keyboard
• API services

If any component shows a red or yellow indicator, the problem may be on Grammarly’s end. In such cases, no local fix will help until their engineering team resolves the backend issue.

Tip: Bookmark the Grammarly status page and subscribe to notifications for instant outage alerts.

Common Causes of Grammarly Not Working

When Grammarly fails to function correctly, the root cause often falls into one of these categories:

1. Browser extension disabled or outdated – Extensions can become inactive after browser updates.
2. Conflicts with other extensions – Ad blockers, privacy tools, or script managers may interfere.
3. Site permissions blocked – Grammarly needs access to text fields; some sites restrict third-party scripts.
4. Outdated app version – Desktop or mobile apps may stop syncing if not updated.
5. Account login issues – Session timeouts or authentication failures prevent full functionality.

Understanding these causes helps narrow down the solution path quickly.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow this systematic approach to restore Grammarly functionality across platforms.

1. Restart Your Browser and Device

A simple restart clears temporary glitches. Close your browser completely, then reopen it. For persistent issues, reboot your computer or phone.

2. Re-enable the Grammarly Extension

Navigate to your browser’s extension manager:

• Chrome: chrome://extensions
• Firefox: about:addons
• Edge: edge://extensions

Ensure Grammarly is toggled “on.” If disabled, enable it. Then click “Details” and verify permissions are granted for “Read and change all your data on websites you visit.”

3. Update the Grammarly Extension

An outdated extension may lack compatibility with current browser versions.

In Chrome:

1. Go to chrome://extensions
2. Toggle on “Developer mode” in the top right
3. Click “Update”

The browser checks for updates across all extensions, including Grammarly.

4. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Corrupted cache data can prevent Grammarly from loading properly.

To clear in Chrome:

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac)
• Select “All time” as the time range
• Check “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”
• Click “Clear data”

After clearing, restart the browser and reload the page where Grammarly should appear.

5. Test in an Incognito/Private Window

Open an incognito window and visit a site like Gmail or Google Docs. Install or re-enable Grammarly in this mode. If it works, another extension is likely interfering.

Disable extensions one by one in your regular window to identify the culprit.

6. Reinstall the Grammarly App or Extension

If updates and resets fail, uninstall and reinstall Grammarly:

1. Remove the extension from your browser
2. Visit grammarly.com and download the latest version
3. Log in using your account credentials

This refreshes configuration files and resets corrupted settings.

Platform-Specific Fixes

Different devices and applications require tailored approaches.

Platform	Issue	Solution
Google Chrome	Extension icon grayed out	Check site permissions; allow Grammarly on the specific site via site info (lock icon in address bar)
Microsoft Word	Add-in not loading	Go to File > Options > Add-ins; manage COM Add-ins and ensure Grammarly is enabled
Grammarly Desktop (Mac/Win)	App crashes on startup	Reinstall the app; disable antivirus temporarily during installation
Mobile (iOS/Android)	Keyboard not appearing	Enable Grammarly keyboard in device Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards; add Grammarly manually

Mini Case Study: Resolving Persistent Browser Conflicts

Sarah, a technical writer, noticed Grammarly stopped highlighting errors in her Google Docs. She checked status.grammarly.com—no outages. She restarted Chrome, cleared cache, and re-enabled the extension, but the green underline didn’t return.

She opened an incognito window and installed Grammarly there. It worked instantly. That pointed to a conflict. She disabled her ad blocker (uBlock Origin) and privacy extension (Privacy Badger). After disabling Privacy Badger, Grammarly loaded normally in her regular window.

The lesson? Even trusted extensions can block scripts essential for Grammarly’s operation. Testing in isolation helps pinpoint interference.

Expert Insight on Software Integration Stability

“Browser-based tools like Grammarly rely on DOM access and real-time text monitoring. When security or privacy extensions limit script execution, even legitimate services get blocked. Whitelisting known tools is a necessary trade-off for functionality.” — Dr. Marcus Lin, Web Application Security Analyst

Troubleshooting Checklist

Use this checklist to methodically resolve Grammarly issues:

• ✅ Check status.grammarly.com for outages
• ✅ Restart your browser and device
• ✅ Confirm Grammarly extension is enabled
• ✅ Update the extension or desktop app
• ✅ Clear browser cache and cookies
• ✅ Test in incognito/private mode
• ✅ Disable conflicting extensions (ad blockers, script blockers)
• ✅ Reinstall Grammarly if unresolved
• ✅ Verify account login and sync status
• ✅ Check site-specific permissions (e.g., Google Docs, Outlook)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Grammarly work in some apps but not others?

Grammarly supports specific platforms like Google Docs, Microsoft Office, and major browsers. It doesn’t work in native desktop apps (e.g., Adobe Acrobat) or encrypted environments like password fields. Some websites also block third-party scripts for security.

Can antivirus software block Grammarly?

Yes. Overzealous antivirus or firewall tools may flag Grammarly’s real-time scanning as suspicious behavior. Temporarily disable the software to test. If Grammarly works, add it to the antivirus whitelist.

Does Grammarly work offline?

The browser extension requires internet connectivity to sync suggestions and check advanced grammar rules. The desktop app has limited offline functionality but syncs corrections once back online.

Conclusion: Restore Clarity and Confidence in Your Writing

Grammarly not working is frustrating, especially when you depend on it for professional or academic writing. But most issues are resolvable with structured troubleshooting. Start with checking service status, then systematically test browser settings, permissions, and conflicts. Whether you're on desktop, mobile, or within productivity suites like Word or Gmail, the right fix is usually within reach.

Don’t let a missing green underline derail your flow. Apply these solutions today, and reclaim the confidence that comes with polished, error-free writing.

🚀 Got a unique fix that worked for you? Share your experience in the comments and help others overcome Grammarly hurdles faster!