Autocorrect not working on Android? Top 5 solutions

Autocorrect and predictive typing can make your typing experience much faster and more enjoyable. Considering that we spend a good portion of our time typing messages, this is a must-have for many Android users. Sadly, some users reported that autocorrect is not working on Android for them.

Based on reports, a plethora of issues with autocorrect mostly plague Gboard users. Although, there are reports about Samsung Keyboard, SwiftKey, and MIUI Keyboard missing the mark, as well.

For some reason, predictive typing and autocorrect features suddenly became less precise or too intrusive, correcting properly written words and becoming quite a nightmare. If you are also affected by this, check the steps we listed below.

Table of contents:

1. Disable and re-enable autocorrect
2. Change the default spell-checking service
3. Update the app and the system
4. Wipe history from the keyboard app
5. Switch to an alternative keyboard app

Android Spell Check not working

If the Android Spell Check or autocorrect is not working, disable and re-enable autocorrect, change the default spell-checking service, or reinstall the keyboard app. If that does nothing, try using an alternative keyboard.

1. Disable and re-enable autocorrect

The first thing to try is to navigate to keyboard settings and disable autocorrect. After a brief restart, re-enable the option and hope for the best. Although, if precision is the problem or autocorrect erratically changes words on its own even when it shouldn’t, this step won’t do much to address the issue.

Here’s how to disable and re-enable autocorrect on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Open System (Advanced options or General management).
3. Select Language and input.
4. Select your keyboard and locate Text correction or Auto replace/Predictive text.
5. Disable Autocorrect and restart your device.
6. Re-enable Autocorrect and check for improvements.

You can also navigate to Settings > Apps > All apps > Gboard (or any other keyboard you use). Once there, tap Storage and clear the data from the app. 

If the autocorrect is still not working on your Android phone, change the default spell-checking service.

2. Change the default spell-checking service

The thing about the predictive spelling and autocorrect features is that you can choose them separately. You can use a Samsung Keyboard or MIUI Keyboard while relying on Google autocorrect. You can select different spell-checking services on Android, regardless of what virtual keyboard you use.

So, we recommend switching to an alternative spell-checking service as a possible solution for the issue at hand. Here’s how to change the default spell-checking service on Android:

1. Again, navigate to Settings > System (General Management or Advanced options).
2. Open Language and input.
3. Open the keyboard settings and look for Spelling correction or Text correction.
4. Tap the Link to system spell checker settings.
5. Enable Auto-correct and select Gboard spell checker as the default option.

Ideally, your keyboard and spell checker should be part of the same service (e.g. Gboard and Gboard Spell Checker or Samsung Keyboard and Samsung Keyboard Spell Checker).

3. Update the app and the system

If the issue persists, we suggest updating the keyboard app and the firmware. Some users noticed that the issues started after they updated the app or upgraded to a newer Android version. The simplest way to fix problems in the current version is to report them to the OEM or developer and wait for the fix in the next release. Sadly, that’s not always the fastest way.

To update Android, navigate to Settings > System > Software update and check for updates. If an update is available, make sure to install it as soon as possible. To update apps, open Play Store > Profile > Manage apps & games. Once there, tap Update.

Also, if you use a Samsung device, check Galaxy Store since most of the system apps come from there instead of Google Play Store. Tap on the hamburger menu and select Updates.

4. Wipe history from the keyboard app

The thing about predictive typing is that the majority of virtual keyboards rely on machine learning and that applies to autocorrect, as well. Keyboards learn your typing patterns to improve the service and enrich or speed up the typing experience.

Ideally, this is great and it should make your life much easier. But, sometimes, this can lead to issues. Some users report that the only solution for autocorrect issues is to clear the history and start from scratch.

Here’s how to wipe history from Gboard on Android:

1. Again navigate to Gboard settings and open Advanced.
2. Tap Delete learned words and data.
3. Restart your device and check if the issues with autocorrection persist.

You can also disable Personalization in the same menu. That helped some users address the problem with autocorrect not working on Android, although have in mind that machine learning won’t improve your typing anymore with this option disabled.

5. Switch to an alternative keyboard app

Finally, if nothing works and you are quite used to autocorrect, we suggest switching to an alternative keyboard app. There are many great keyboards out there and it all depends on your personal preference. Microsoft SwiftKey is good enough, and although the majority of reports talk about Google’s Gboard this app is still my personal favorite. However, I don’t use autocorrect all that much so there’s that.

If your focus is mostly on predictive typing and autocorrection, Grammarly Keyboard (get it on Play Store) is probably the best choice. Try out multiple keyboards and see for yourself.

That should do it. Thank you for reading and we hope these solutions helped you address the issue with autocorrect on Android. If you have any questions or suggestions, make sure to share them with us in the comments section below.

Editor’s note: This article was initially published in October 2021. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.