Are you struggling with the “Can’t connect to Grammarly” error? Why is Grammarly not working? Grammarly is an effective tool for writers, students, and professionals to correct their work, ensuring polished and error-free.
However, like any software, Grammarly is not immune to occasional issues. One of the most common issues is when Grammarly simply doesn’t work as expected.
If you are wondering how to fix connection issues, you’ve come to the right place. This article will address the most common causes of these problems and provide actionable solutions to get Grammarly back up and running.
Common Issues When Grammarly Stops Working
Before jumping into solutions, you need to clear out what issues you might encounter when Grammarly fails to function properly.
Issue 1. Grammarly Chrome Extension Not Working
The Grammarly browser extension for Chrome is one of its most popular tools. It may occasionally stop functioning. If you have a Grammarly extension on your Chrome, you may notice that it doesn’t underline mistakes, fails to load, or displays a blank interface.
Issue 2. Grammarly Desktop App Crashing
The Grammarly standalone app for Windows or macOS might crash, freeze, or fail to sync your text properly.
Issue 3. Grammarly in Microsoft Word Not Responding
Grammarly’s integration with Word and Outlook is highly useful for word editors, especially for users when they’re in the middle of an important task. However, sometimes, its icon color will get grey, become unresponsive, or fail to load entirely. Often, it shows the error “Can’t connect to Grammarly”.

Issue 4. Account or Subscription Issues
Some users report issues related to their accounts, such as being logged out unexpectedly or not having access to premium features despite subscribing.
Why Is My Grammarly Not Working?
If you are facing one of the above Grammarly issues, here are some of the most common reasons why your Grammarly might stop working.
Reason 1. Internet Connectivity Issues
This is the most likely reason for Grammarly not working in Google Docs or Microsoft Word. Grammarly relies on a stable internet connection to analyze text and provide suggestions.
If your connection is unstable, offline, or geo-blocked, Grammarly won’t work properly and may display an unable-to-connect error.
Reason 2. Browser Compatibility Problems
If you are using an outdated or unsupported browser, Grammarly’s extension may not function as expected.
For example, Grammarly does not officially support the Yandex Browser. You may encounter some blocking issues. Additionally, Grammarly might not integrate well with Yandex services (like Yandex.Mail).
Reason 3. Outdated Grammarly Software
If you are running an older version of Grammarly’s app or extension, you may come across compatibility and performance issues, especially if it’s not updated to match the latest system or browser updates.
Reason 4. Conflicting Extensions or Software
Are you installing other browser extensions, such as ad blockers, privacy tools, or grammar checkers for your browser? If so, your Grammarly’s functionality may be interfered. Similarly, system-level antivirus or firewall software can block Grammarly’s connection to its server.
Reason 5. Cache and Cookies Errors
A corrupted browser cache or cookies can prevent Grammarly from loading properly. This is one of the most frequent causes of browser-based issues.
Reason 6. Grammarly Server Outage
On rare occasions, Grammarly’s servers may experience downtime, leaving users unable to connect or access the service.
Reason 7. Account or Subscription Problems
If there are issues with your Grammarly account, such as an expired subscription or login errors, you may lose access to Grammarly’s features.
Reason 8. Grammarly’s IP Blocking
For some geographic business-related reasons, Grammarly has blocked some IP addresses. If you are in the blocked country, you can’t connect to the Grammarly server.
Fix “Grammarly Not Working” Issues
Have you identified what issues happened to your Grammarly? If you have found the pointed causes, the following are some actionable solutions.
Fix 1. Check Your Internet Connection
Grammarly requires an active and stable internet connection. Here’s how to ensure your connection isn’t causing the problem:
- Test your internet speed using a speed test tool.
- Restart your router or modem if the connection is unstable.
- Switch to a different network (e.g., Wi-Fi network to mobile hotspot) to rule out network-specific issues.
Related: Is 300 Mbps Internet Fast?
Fix 2. Use a VPN to Bypass the IP Block of Grammarly
If your internet connection is stable, you need to check if Grammarly is accessible to your country/region. Grammarly company has blocked access to its services in some countries, such as Russia and China. This means:
- The Grammarly website (grammarly.com) is not available in your country.
- Grammarly’s browser extensions and apps will not work for you with a blocked IP address.
- Even if Grammarly was previously installed, it won’t function properly in your country/region.
A possible workaround is to use a VPN tool, such as LightningX VPN. LightningX VPN can change your IP address to a different country where Grammarly is available. It offers 2000+ servers in over 50 countries. You can decide which servers to connect by yourself.
In addition, if have a Yandex browser on your PC or phone, LightningX VPN is the best Yandex.com VPN for you to unblock the Yandex browser content. What’s more, it also helps you unlock global streaming resources like YouTube, TikTok, Hulu, Discord, etc.
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Fix 3. Check Grammarly’s Server Status
If you have resolved the internet connection and IP blocking issues, you can check if Grammarly’s servers are operational by visiting the Grammarly Status Page (https://status.grammarly.com/).

Also, you can check their official social media accounts for updates. If there’s a server outage, you’ll need to wait until the issue is resolved on their end.
Fix 4. Update Grammarly and Your Software
Keeping your Grammarly app, browser, and operating system up to date is crucial for compatibility. Here’s how to update:
- Grammarly extension: Go to your browser’s extension store (e.g., Chrome Web Store) and check for updates to the Grammarly extension.
- Desktop app: Visit Grammarly’s official website to download the latest version of their desktop application.
- Operating System and browser: Check for updates in your browser and OS settings.
Fix 5. Restart Your Browser or Device
Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve many technical glitches. Close your browser or restart your computer and then try using Grammarly again.
Fix 6. Disable Conflicting Extensions
Conflicting extensions like ad blockers or other grammar tools may interfere with Grammarly. Disable them temporarily to see if Grammarly works:
- Go to your browser’s extension settings.
- Turn off extensions one by one and test Grammarly after each.
- Once you identify the conflicting extension, consider removing it or keeping it disabled when using Grammarly.
Fix 7. Clear Cache and Cookies for Your Browser
Browser cache and cookies can sometimes cause loading errors. Here’s how to clear them:
- Open your browser settings and navigate to “Privacy” or “Clear Browsing Data.”
- Select “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”
- Click “Clear Data” and restart your browser.
Fix 8. Check Your Account and Subscription
If Grammarly isn’t working, verify your account status:
- Log in to your Grammarly account on their website.
- Check your subscription details to ensure it’s active.
- If you’re on a free plan, ensure you’re not trying to use premium-only features.
11. Contact Grammarly Support
If none of the above solutions work, reach out to Grammarly’s support team. Provide detailed information about the issue, including:
- Your device, browser, and operating system details.
- Any error messages you’re encountering.
- Steps you’ve already tried.
You can contact their support team through the Grammarly Help Center.
Bottom Line
Grammarly not working can be upset for you especially when you rely on it for your writing tasks. This article mainly discusses the possible issues when Grammarly is not working, the reasons, and their respective solutions. Check this article carefully and share it with your friends if helpful!