Grammarly Not Working? Fix These 7 Common Issues

You’re in the middle of writing an important email, a client report, or a college assignment. You look at the page and see something odd: no green underlines. No suggestion cards. No Grammarly plug-in. Nothing. Silence.

It’s one of those annoying tech glitches that always seems to happen when you least want it: not being able to use Grammarly. The good news: If you know where to look, most problems take less than five minutes to solve.

This guide takes you through the 7 most common reasons Grammarly fails to work and provides clear, step-by-step fixes for each one whether you’re using the Chrome extension, the desktop app, Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

Quick Summary: Why Is Grammarly Not Working?

Before diving deep, here’s a fast reference for the most common causes and their solutions:

If you want the complete fix for your specific issue, keep reading.

Issue 1: The Grammarly Extension Is Not Loading in Chrome

This is the single most reported problem. Most Grammarly extension problems trace to a disabled extension, an account sync issue, or a site-specific permission problem. 

How to fix it:

1. Open Chrome and click the puzzle piece icon (Extensions) in the top-right corner.
2. Find Grammarly and check if the toggle is turned on.
3. If it is on but still broken, go to chrome://extensions/ and look for any yellow warning banners under Grammarly.
4. If Chrome flags the extension as outdated or corrupted after a browser update, click Update or remove and reinstall the extension entirely. 

Also worth checking:

• Ensure Grammarly is enabled and set to “Allow in incognito” if needed. Click “Details” and verify permissions like “Read and change site data” are granted. 
• Disable hardware acceleration under Chrome Settings > System if Grammarly freezes or crashes. 

For other browsers:

• Firefox: Check that Grammarly is active and not blocked by tracking protection. Under Permissions, allow access to all sites. 
• Microsoft Edge: Edge sometimes disables extensions after updates. Re-enable manually if needed. 

Key Takeaway: After any major browser update, always check chrome://extensions to confirm Grammarly is still enabled and has the correct permissions.

Issue 2: Grammarly Suggestions Are Not Showing

You can see the Grammarly icon, but no suggestions appear. This is usually a cache or cookie conflict, and it is one of the easiest problems to fix.

How to fix it:

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows (or Cmd+Shift+Delete on Mac).
2. Select “Cached images and files” and “Cookies and other site data.”
3. Clear the data, then reload the page where you were writing.
4. If still missing, try signing out and back into your Google account. 

If that does not work:

• Disable other browser extensions one by one. Extensions can conflict with each other. Turning them off should fix the problem, and you can turn them back on once you are done editing.
• Try opening the page in a new incognito window to test if it works without other extensions interfering.

Pro Tip: Bloated browser cache is one of the most overlooked causes of Grammarly suggestions disappearing. Make it a habit to clear cache every few weeks.

Issue 3: Grammarly Login Issues and Account Sync Problems

Sometimes Grammarly is running, but it behaves as if you are on the free plan even though you have a Premium subscription. Or, you cannot log in at all.

The most common cause is an account sync issue where your browser or app thinks you are still on the free tier even though you have paid. 

How to fix login and sync issues:

In the browser extension:

1. Click the Grammarly icon, then your profile picture or initials.
2. Select Sign Out.
3. Close and reopen Chrome completely.
4. Sign back in at app.grammarly.com.

In the desktop app:

1. Go to File > Sign Out from the menu bar.
2. Relaunch the app and sign back in.

If Premium features are still not showing, try opening app.grammarly.com in an incognito window. If they appear there, you have a session or cookie issue in your main browser. 

Key Takeaway: Sign out and sign back in before trying anything else. This single step resolves the majority of Premium sync and login failures.

Issue 4: Grammarly Not Working in Google Docs

Google Docs integration works differently from standard browser text fields, which means it requires its own set of checks.

How to fix it:

1. Toggle the Google Docs setting. Access Grammarly settings and disable, then re-enable the Google Docs integration. 
2. Make sure you are in editing mode, not suggesting mode, since Grammarly may not function in suggesting mode. 
3. Open a new blank document to test functionality in isolation before troubleshooting a complex existing file. 
4. Note that Grammarly may struggle with extremely long documents over 100 pages. 

Still not working?

• Look for the Grammarly icon in the bottom right of your Google Doc. If it is grayed out, click it and log in again.
• Confirm the extension has permission to access Google Docs specifically. Some users accidentally block it during privacy settings changes.

Visual Suggestion: Add a screenshot here showing the Grammarly widget in the bottom-right corner of a Google Doc, with the enabled toggle clearly visible.

Issue 5: Grammarly Not Working in Microsoft Word

Grammarly functions as an Office add-in in Word, not a browser extension. That is a key difference and the reason standard browser troubleshooting will not help here.

How to fix it:

1. Go to File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins. 
2. Verify Grammarly appears in the active add-ins list. 
3. Install the latest Office updates through Microsoft Update. 
4. Close Word completely and reopen it after making any add-in changes. 

One commonly missed fix:

If you experience the issue specifically in Microsoft Word, it may be caused by Copilot. If you use a personal or family Microsoft Office account, try turning that feature off: Go to File > Options > Copilot and uncheck the Enable Copilot box, then select OK and restart Microsoft Word. 

Document size limit:

If the document contains over 200 pages, Grammarly may fail. Try splitting the document into 100-page sections to check if the issue persists. 

Key Takeaway: Grammarly in Word is an add-in, not an extension. If it disappears after an Office update, re-enabling it through COM Add-ins is always the first step.

Issue 6: Grammarly Desktop App Not Working or Shows “Something Went Wrong”

If you are using the standalone Grammarly desktop app and it refuses to load, crashes, or shows a “Something went wrong” error, the culprit is almost always your network settings.

The error message “Something went wrong” or a gray Grammarly widget is usually caused by restrictions within your network, VPN, proxy, or firewall settings. 

How to fix it:

1. Restart your computer first. Sometimes this issue can be solved by simply restarting your computer before proceeding to any other steps. 
2. Disable your VPN temporarily and try again. Corporate or school Wi-Fi networks sometimes block the specific domains Grammarly’s servers use. 
3. If you are on a restricted network, test using a personal mobile hotspot to confirm whether the network is the issue.
4. Ensure that your network, firewall, VPN, or proxy fully supports the WebSocket protocol, which Grammarly apps use to communicate with servers on ports 80 and 443. 

For app startup issues:

If the app fails to launch at startup, navigate to Settings > General and enable “Launch Grammarly at startup.” Also, verify that your operating system meets the minimum requirements, since older versions of macOS or Windows 10 below version 1809 may not support current features. 

Issue 7: Grammarly Keyboard Not Working on Mobile

Mobile is a different environment entirely. The Grammarly keyboard is a third-party keyboard, and on both iOS and Android, it needs explicit permission to function.

How to enable it on iOS:

1. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Keyboards. 
2. Add Grammarly as a keyboard. 
3. Toggle on “Allow Full Access,” which is required for suggestions to appear. 
4. Open any messaging or notes app and switch keyboards to test.

How to fix it on Android:

• Some Samsung and Xiaomi devices disable third-party keyboards by default. Check Language & Input settings. 
• Ensure battery optimization is off for Grammarly to maintain background sync. 
• If the keyboard appears but keeps disappearing mid-type, clear the Grammarly app cache from your phone’s Settings > Apps menu. On Android especially, a bloated cache causes erratic keyboard behavior. 

Key Takeaway: On mobile, “Allow Full Access” is non-negotiable. Without it, the Grammarly keyboard installs but cannot deliver suggestions.

Before You Troubleshoot: Check Grammarly’s Server Status

Before spending time troubleshooting your device, rule out a server-side issue first.

Grammarly’s backend servers occasionally experience outages, maintenance, or technical issues affecting all users. Check their official status page at status.grammarly.com to see current service interruptions and estimated resolution times. 

If the status page shows an active incident, there is nothing to fix on your end. Wait for Grammarly’s team to resolve it.

Best Practices to Keep Grammarly Working Smoothly

These habits prevent most Grammarly issues from happening in the first place:

• Update your browser regularly. Outdated browser versions are not compatible with Grammarly, so always use the latest version to ensure compatibility and reduce the chance of issues. 
• Keep your documents within size limits. Grammarly cannot upload documents with more than 60 pages or files larger than 4 MB. For longer documents, split them into smaller sections. 
• Re-check permissions after major updates. Over 60% of “Grammarly not working” cases stem from permission resets after OS or browser updates. Users forget that each update may revoke third-party access. Re-enabling the extension and re-granting permissions solves most issues. 
• Clear cache regularly. Set a reminder to clear browser cache every two to four weeks, especially if you use browser extensions heavily.
• Avoid too many active extensions. Extension conflicts are a leading cause of Grammarly stopping mid-session. Run a lean set of extensions during writing sessions.

Final Verdict

Grammarly not working is usually frustrating, but it’s rarely a serious or permanent problem. In most cases, the issue comes down to extension permissions, browser conflicts, account sync errors, or temporary server outages, not a broken app.

Start with the simplest fixes first: check Grammarly’s server status, verify extension permissions, clear your browser cache, and sign back into your account. These steps resolve the vast majority of issues within minutes.

If Grammarly still refuses to work after trying everything, you may want to explore the best Grammarly alternatives in 2026 to compare writing tools with better compatibility, pricing, or AI features.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why did Grammarly suddenly stop working?

The most common causes are a browser update that reset extension permissions, a cache conflict, or a temporary server issue. Start by re-enabling the extension and clearing your browser cache.

Why is Grammarly not working in Google Docs specifically?

Google Docs requires its own integration toggle inside Grammarly settings. Disable and re-enable the Google Docs integration, switch to editing mode (not suggesting mode), and test in a fresh blank document.

Why are Grammarly suggestions not showing up even though the extension is on?

Usually a cache or cookie problem. Clear your browser cache using Ctrl+Shift+Delete, reload the page, and sign out then back into your Grammarly account.

How do I fix Grammarly not working after a Chrome update?

Go to chrome://extensions, find Grammarly, and check for a warning banner. Update or reinstall the extension. Also re-verify that permissions like “Read and change site data” are still granted.

Why is Grammarly Premium not working even though I paid?

This is typically an account sync issue. Sign out from the extension or app, close Chrome completely, then sign back in. If Premium still does not show, test in an incognito window.

Is Grammarly down right now?

Check status.grammarly.com for real-time information on server outages and maintenance. If the status page shows all systems operational, the issue is local to your device.

Why is the Grammarly keyboard not working on my phone?

The Grammarly keyboard requires “Allow Full Access” to be enabled in your phone’s keyboard settings. Without this permission, it installs but cannot deliver suggestions. Go to Settings > General > Keyboard on iOS to enable it.

Why is Grammarly not working in Microsoft Word?

Grammarly runs as a COM add-in in Word. Go to File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins to verify it is listed and active. Also disable Microsoft Copilot if you have it enabled, as it can conflict with Grammarly.

How do I fix the “Something went wrong” error in the Grammarly desktop app?

Restart your computer first. If the issue persists, temporarily disable your VPN and test from a different network. The error is usually caused by a firewall, VPN, or proxy blocking Grammarly’s server connections.

Does Grammarly work on all browsers?

No. Grammarly officially supports Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Internet Explorer. It is not compatible with browsers like Vivaldi or Maxthon.