Did you install the UK English spell-check dictionary after doing the Refresh and the re-installation?

Only the US English version comes with a spell-check dictionary.

It worked. Thank you.

That must have changed with a recent version of Firefox. As I recall, a spell-check dictionary came automatically with whatever language version of Firefox that was downloaded. This is the first time I have ever had to manually install the dictionary.

the-edmeister said

Did you install the UK English spell-check dictionary after doing the Refresh and the re-installation? Only the US English version comes with a spell-check dictionary.

Pretty poor that this is the default solution. Props to commentors answering it, but come on Mozilla, this is weak. Spellcheck is only installed by default on US dictionary so even though the update APPEARS to update your language /dictionary, you have to manually separately download the spellchecker? And there are 3 options to choose from, neither of which mention spellchecking.

This is a crap way of doing it. Why isn't spellchecking bundled into the default UK/other dictionaries by default? And until then, why is the spellcheck box not greyed out if you're using a dictionary where it doesn't apply? At least that would remove the sense that you've done the right thing.

Non English (US) Firefox versions are "localized" versions and come with a "language pack" for the UI. The spell check dictionary is separate thing. https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/language-tools/

As far as when a Firefox update occurs, an installed spell check dictionary extension should be updated as part as the Firefox version update, assuming that the extension developer kept their extension up to date with Firefox. I do recall mention in recent years of the UK spell check dictionary not getting some updates in a timely manner and being disabled - but a few years ago Firefox 10 was "declared" the "base" for extensions and all extensions "compatible" above that were automatically "enabled" (not disabled due to a "number") during an update, regardless of the maxVersion listed in the xpi file. Basically to "onus" for compatibility was shifted onto the extension developer and user reports of perceived incompatibility - Mozilla stopped micro-managing to a degree.

As I vaguely recall, from like 10 years when the Spell Check was a newly added feature in Firefox, the license used by the person who created the dictionary may determine if Mozilla will include it in a localized version of Firefox, or not.

I have little knowledge about licensing, but I have seen GPL 2.0, LGPL 2.0 and MPL 1.1 (Mozilla Public License) mentioned frequently with regards to software licenses in developer articles and inside files that are packaged inside an extension xpi file.

When modernization is compromised to the point that something as reverent and basic as Spell Checking is treated as a luxury instead of a necessity, then we as a technology have truly reverted to the cavemen era.

Now mind you that the spell checking feature is suspect on certain site forums and comment sections as it works PERFECTLY in this text box but if you try, say in a comment reply or a comment typed in Yahoo or MSN with in the Firefox Browser, Nothing but negative feedbacks and people calling you uneducated or go back to English class.

There should be NO EXCUSE from any moderator about versions and updates and ENGLISH Dictionary or language packs...JUST FIX THE DAM PROBLEM AND RETURN BACK TO A DEFAULT STATE...PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!