big sur problems (auto-correct and sidecar)

Try this.

1. Open the Finder.
2. In the menu, go to Go > Library. (If Library doesn't appear, hold down option when you click on Go to make Library appear. )
3. Once inside Library, open the Preferences folder
4. Look for a file called "com.apple.DictionaryServices.plist"
5. Delete it (or move it to the desktop if you're worried)
6. Restart

After that, your auto-correct should start working again.

Hello Chibichin101,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you're having trouble with autocorrection on your Mac. We are happy to share information that may help.

Take a look at the information here: Check spelling and grammar on Mac.

If you start up in safe mode, does that seem to make any difference: How to use safe mode on your Mac.

You may also want to test this issue in another user account to see if the issue continues there: Set up users, guests, and groups on Mac.

Take care.

This seems to have worked for me. Make sure you can locate the library files, copy and paste the file path into finder search to make sure you can locate...delete and empty trash. Restart and voila, my spell check finally seems to be working again! Thanks David!

Spell check is not just bad it is almost non existent in Big Sur 11.1. It doesn't seem to recognize commonly used words containing even a minor typo. Instead a message says "It does not recognize the word" and I mean really common words. I compared this to google spell check, which is great at guessing what you meant to type or have slightly misspelled, then provides the correction. Spell check has never been great on the Mac but it was serviceable, but in Big Sur it is really bad… to unusable. Why?

NOTE: Apple Apps like Notes for example, that use auto spell checker or auto correct by highlighting a word it thinks is misspelled is also terrible – if it's a correctly spelled word it does not recognize, there is no option to click LEARN to add to the database so as not to highlight again. I just don't get it, spell checking seems pretty basic for an OS to handle, – so where's the Genius in this Apple feature? To end on a positive note – I basically love Big Sur, I'm just frustrated by previously functioning missing, but I realize it is early.

Hi.

Just want to add, same / similar issues with spell check. Not really working very well. Doesn't seem to spot things, even easy one letter mistakes and when it does, often provides poor suggestions or none at all. Only just upgraded to Big Sur and this was immediately apparent.

I am having the same problem with Microsoft Office fro MAC Powerpoint and Word, misspellings are underlined in red , but no auto correct and no suggestions. Suggestions are are given though for instance while I am typing this note.

Does this mean that Microsoft 365 for Mac not fully supported ?

thanks for any help as this is infuriating.

EM

Same issue here - I've tried every obvious fix but nothing seems to work and nor have I seen any suggestions. So frustrating as I have to constantly go back and see where the underlines are and fix them manually - or consult the dictionary for correct spelling! Please Apple fix - it must surely be pretty basic if the others can do this!!

Same here on 11.1 Mac OS. Messages and Slack I've noticed it recently.

I updated to Big Sur and spelling is no longer working. I tried all the 'fixes' that were spoken about. What gives?

Open the Library but the file "com.apple.DictionaryServices.plist" is not there.

Tried through search - 0 answers.

Any suggestion, please.

Thanks

This spelling issue has been a problem since I updated to Big Sur. People have identified, named and been concerned. Why can't Apple just fix it?

kathie

This fix did not work for me. any other suggestions?

I so agree with Malcolm. Fix it Apple. Everyone is saying the exact same thing!

Same issue here, utterly useless. Did anyone ever discover a fix? I was not able to find the file in the library. I couldn't even find the library!

I too have an issue with spell check. I do not use autocorrect, however, simple misspellings do not give me any replacement options, even with a single letter being off. Prior to Big Sur, the drop down suggestions were stellar on Messages, etc.