Why Isn’t Grammarly Working in Google Docs Anymore?

For millions of writers, students, professionals, and content creators, Grammarly has become an indispensable tool. From catching simple grammar mistakes to offering in-depth style suggestions, it serves as a real-time writing assistant across platforms.

One of Grammarly’s most popular integrations is with Google Docs — a cloud-based platform where much of the world’s writing now happens. But over the last few months, users have noticed a frustrating issue: Grammarly suddenly stops working inside Google Docs, or behaves inconsistently, lagging or disappearing altogether.

If you’re asking, “Why isn’t Grammarly working in Google Docs anymore?” — you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll break down:

• What causes Grammarly to stop functioning in Google Docs
• How to fix the issue with practical steps
• Whether the problem lies with Grammarly, Google, or your system
• And what alternatives or workarounds you can consider

Understanding How Grammarly Works in Google Docs

Before diagnosing issues, it’s helpful to know how Grammarly integrates into Docs.

Grammarly doesn’t natively run inside Google Docs — it works via a browser extension (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge). Once the extension is installed, Grammarly adds a layer of functionality to your writing environment:

• Real-time grammar, punctuation, and spelling checks
• Style and clarity suggestions
• Tone detection and writing goals (in Grammarly Premium)
• Inline pop-ups and side-panel suggestions

So if Grammarly stops functioning, the root issue usually involves:

• The browser extension
• Google Docs compatibility
• Conflicts with other extensions or browser settings

Common Reasons Grammarly Isn’t Working in Google Docs

Let’s explore the most frequent culprits behind this problem.

1. Browser Extension Glitch or Update Conflict

Grammarly regularly pushes updates to its extension. Occasionally, these updates break compatibility or temporarily disable functionality in certain environments like Google Docs.

Similarly, a recent update to Google Chrome or Google Docs itself might render the extension unstable.

Symptoms:

• Grammarly suggestions stop appearing
• The Grammarly logo doesn’t load in the bottom right
• Lag, freezing, or missing suggestions

Fix:

• Disable and re-enable the Grammarly extension
• Remove and reinstall it from the Chrome Web Store
• Restart your browser completely

2. Google Docs Feature Conflicts

Google frequently updates Docs with new features or changes to the editor’s structure. These changes may temporarily break Grammarly integration, as the extension relies on consistent HTML/CSS structures.

Fix:

• Check Grammarly’s official support site or Twitter for service notices
• Wait for a patch — the Grammarly team typically addresses Google Docs bugs quickly

3. Other Extensions Causing Interference

Browser extensions can clash with each other. Ad blockers, privacy tools, script blockers (like NoScript), or even other grammar tools (like LanguageTool) can interfere with Grammarly’s operation.

Fix:

• Disable other browser extensions temporarily
• Open an Incognito window (with Grammarly enabled)
• Test if Grammarly works in isolation

If it works in Incognito, the issue lies with extension conflicts.

4. Corrupted Cache or Cookies

Sometimes, your browser’s cache or cookies get corrupted, preventing extensions from running smoothly.

Fix:

• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Restart the browser and reload Google Docs
• Re-log into Grammarly

5. Not Logged Into Grammarly

A surprisingly common issue: users get logged out of Grammarly and don’t realize it. When logged out, Grammarly may appear inactive without throwing a visible error.

Fix:

• Click on the Grammarly extension icon
• Make sure you’re logged in
• Refresh Google Docs after logging in

6. Grammarly Beta Mode Not Enabled

Previously, Grammarly required users to enable beta support for Google Docs in their settings. Although this is now default for most users, it may still affect older installations or restricted accounts.

Fix:

• Go to Grammarly’s web app
• Navigate to Account Settings > Apps
• Ensure Google Docs access is enabled

How to Troubleshoot Grammarly in Google Docs: Step-by-Step

Here’s a quick guide to systematically troubleshoot and fix the issue:

Is This a Grammarly Problem or Google’s?

It’s often a mix of both.

• Grammarly relies on Google’s DOM structure, which changes frequently
• Google doesn’t formally endorse Grammarly, so there’s no official partnership
• Grammarly has to continually reverse-engineer compatibility after Google Docs updates

This means that even when Grammarly is doing everything right, a sudden UI change from Google can throw off its functionality.

Alternatives and Workarounds

If Grammarly continues to fail despite your best efforts, here are some practical alternatives:

1. Use Grammarly’s Web Editor

• Copy and paste your text into Grammarly.com
• Edit, apply changes, and paste back into Google Docs
• This is more reliable and has access to full features

2. Grammarly Desktop App (Mac & Windows)

• Works with most applications via overlay
• Can be more stable than browser versions

3. Switch to a Supported Word Processor

• Grammarly works well in Microsoft Word (desktop and online)
• Consider editing drafts there and pasting into Docs for formatting

4. Try Alternative Tools Temporarily

• LanguageTool: another grammar checker with a Google Docs add-on
• ProWritingAid: offers real-time checks and deeper analysis

These aren’t as polished as Grammarly but can help bridge the gap during outages.

Final Thoughts: A Fixable Frustration

Grammarly not working in Google Docs is annoying — especially when you rely on it for polished, mistake-free writing. But in most cases, the issue is temporary, local, and solvable with a few adjustments.

To recap:

• Check browser and extension updates
• Clear cache and disable interfering extensions
• Make sure you’re logged in and Grammarly is active
• Use workarounds like the Grammarly web editor when needed

As both platforms continue to evolve, brief incompatibilities will happen. But with this guide, you’re equipped to troubleshoot the problem, minimize downtime, and keep your writing sharp.