# Thunderbird dictionary installed, but not showing up in spellcheck dropdown

**URL:** <https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847>\
**Category:** Thunderbird\
**Tags:** thunderbird\
**Created:** [April 30, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847 "2019-04-30T13:13:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![peteQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4491bb/32.png) [@peteQ](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/peteQ)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847/1 "2019-04-30T13:13:37Z")

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I downloaded the dictionary ( **not** the language pack!) as an .xpi file from here: `https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/german-dictionary/` and installed it by using `Install Addon from File` in the small gear menu in the addons manager. The dictionary is showing up in my installed **Extensions**.  
The problem is that I still cannot choose German as a language for spell checking, neither when composing a new mail, nor under `Tools -> Options -> Composition -> Spelling`. I tried it with several dictionaries, same result. How can I solve this?

I’m on Windows 10 and Thunderbird 52.9.1 (32-bit).

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**Author:** ![sfhowes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@sfhowes](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/sfhowes)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847/2 "2019-04-30T18:26:54Z")

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Did you install version 2.0.6.1webext or 2.06? The former is for TB 60+, while the latter should work for TB 52.

[https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/german-dictionary/versions/](https://addons.thunderbird.net/en-US/thunderbird/addon/german-dictionary/versions/)

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**Author:** ![peteQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4491bb/32.png) [@peteQ](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/peteQ)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2019, 9:15am UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847/3 "2019-05-02T09:15:23Z")

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This was exactly the issue. I somehow missed that I’m not on the newest Thunderbird and have to update manually to 60. Thanks!

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**Author:** ![Henk\_van\_Vliet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/77aa72/32.png) [@Henk\_van\_Vliet](https://discourse.mozilla.org/u/Henk_van_Vliet)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/thunderbird-dictionary-installed-but-not-showing-up-in-spellcheck-dropdown/38847/4 "2020-02-09T17:11:43Z")

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this worked for me:  
ubuntu debian.  
go to: add and remove software  
search thunderbird,  
dutch language package.  
thunderbird 52.9