How To Change Outlook Language Back To English

Switching Outlook’s language back to English corrects menus and commands that may have shifted after an update. If you are wondering how to change outlook language back to english, you are in the right place. This guide walks you through every step, whether you use Outlook 365, 2021, 2019, or the web version. Language changes can happen after an update, a system reinstall, or accidental settings tweaks. The process is straightforward, and you can fix it in under five minutes.

Outlook’s interface language controls everything from ribbon labels to right-click menus. When it switches to another language, productivity drops because you have to guess what each button does. This article covers desktop, web, and mobile versions. You will also learn how to prevent future language shifts. Let us start with the most common fix.

This section provides the core solution for the desktop version of Outlook. The exact steps depend on your Office suite version, but the logic remains the same. You will adjust the display language in Office settings, not Windows settings. Follow these numbered steps carefully.

Open Outlook on your computer.
Click File in the top-left corner.
Select Options from the menu that appears.
In the Outlook Options window, click Language on the left sidebar.
Look for the section labeled Choose Display Language.
Find English in the list. If it is not there, click Add additional editing languages and select English.
Select English and click Set as Preferred.
Click OK to save changes.
Restart Outlook for the new language to take effect.

That is the primary method. If English does not appear in the list, you may need to install the language pack first. We cover that in the next section.

What If English Is Not Listed

Sometimes English is missing from the display language list. This happens when the language pack is not installed. Do not worry. You can download it from Microsoft. Here is how to add English to Outlook.

Go to the Microsoft Office Language Pack download page.
Search for the English language pack for your Office version.
Download the installer file.
Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once installed, repeat the steps in the previous section to set English as preferred.
Restart Outlook.

After installing the language pack, English should appear in the display language list. If it still does not show, check your Office version. Some older versions have limited language support. You might need to update Office first.

Changing The Editing Language

The editing language controls spell check and grammar tools. Even if the display language is English, the editing language might be different. This can cause red underlines on correctly spelled words. Here is how to fix it.

Open Outlook and go to File > Options > Language.
Under Choose Editing Languages, look for English.
If English is not listed, click Add additional editing languages.
Select English from the dropdown and click Add.
Set English as the default editing language.
Click OK and restart Outlook.

Now your spell checker will work correctly. This step is often overlooked when people only change the display language. Make sure both settings are aligned.

Changing Language In Outlook On The Web

Outlook on the web (OWA) has its own language settings. They are separate from the desktop app. If your browser-based Outlook is in a different language, follow these steps.

Log in to Outlook.com or your work Outlook web access.
Click the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
Scroll down and click View all Outlook settings.
In the settings panel, go to General > Language and time.
Under Language, select English from the dropdown.
Click Save.
Refresh the page to see the changes.

The web version updates immediately after saving. You do not need to log out. This method works for both personal and work accounts. If the dropdown does not show English, clear your browser cache and try again.

Outlook Mobile App Language

The mobile app uses your device’s system language by default. If your phone is set to a different language, Outlook will follow. To change Outlook’s language back to English on mobile, you need to adjust your phone settings.

For iPhone:

Go to Settings > General > Language & Region.
Set iPhone Language to English.
Restart your phone.

For Android:

Go to Settings > System > Languages & input.
Tap Languages and drag English to the top.
Restart your device.

Some Android versions allow per-app language settings. Check if your phone has this feature. If yes, you can set Outlook to English without changing the whole system. This is usefull if you prefer your phone in another language.

Common Issues And Fixes

Even after following the steps, Outlook might not switch to English. Here are common problems and their solutions.

Outlook Still Shows Old Language

This usually happens because the change did not save properly. Go back to File > Options > Language and confirm English is set as preferred. Also, check that the language pack is installed. Sometimes a restart is not enough. Try closing Outlook completely and reopening it. If the problem persists, restart your computer.

Language Keeps Changing Back

This can be caused by group policies in a work environment. Your IT department may have set a default language. Contact them to request a change. For personal accounts, check if you have multiple Office installations. Sometimes a second installation overrides the language setting. Uninstall the extra version.

Missing Menu Items After Language Change

When you switch languages, some customizations might reset. This is normal. You may need to re-add quick access toolbar items or rearrange the ribbon. The core functionality remains the same. If you used macros or add-ins, they might need reconfiguration. Check the add-in settings under File > Options > Add-ins.

Preventing Future Language Changes

Once you have restored English, you want to keep it that way. Here are tips to avoid accidental language shifts.

Do not install language packs you do not need.
Lock your Office settings if you share your computer.
Disable automatic updates that might change language preferences.
Use the same language across all Office apps for consistency.

If you use multiple languages for work, set English as the primary display language. Add other languages only for editing. This way, the interface stays English while you can type in other languages.

Advanced Language Settings In Outlook

For power users, Outlook offers more granular control. You can set different languages for different accounts. This is useful if you manage multiple email addresses in one profile.

Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Select the email account you want to change.
Click Change.
Look for language settings in the account properties.
Set the desired language for that account.

Note that not all account types support per-account languages. Exchange and Office 365 accounts usually do. POP3 and IMAP accounts follow the global setting.

Using Registry Editor For Stubborn Languages

In rare cases, the language setting is stuck in the Windows registry. Only attempt this if you are comfortable with advanced tools. Incorrect changes can break Outlook.

Close Outlook.
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\LanguageResources.
Look for a string value named UILanguage.
Double-click it and set the value to en-us for English.
Click OK and close the Registry Editor.
Open Outlook again.

This forces Outlook to use English. The registry path may vary for older Office versions. For Office 2019, use 16.0. For Office 2016, also 16.0. For Office 2013, use 15.0. For Office 2010, use 14.0.

Outlook Language And Windows Language

Outlook does not always follow the Windows display language. They are independent settings. However, if you changed Windows to a different language, Outlook might prompt you to switch. You can decline. Keep Outlook’s language separate from Windows.

If you want them to match, set both to English. Go to Windows Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Set Windows display language to English. Then restart your computer. Outlook should follow suit, but double-check the Office settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I change Outlook language back to English without reinstalling?
A: Go to File > Options > Language and set English as preferred. No reinstall needed.

Q: Why did my Outlook language change automatically?
A: This often happens after an Office update or a Windows language change. Check your update history.

Q: Can I have Outlook in English while keeping Windows in another language?
A: Yes. Outlook’s language is independent. Set it in Office options.

Q: What if I cannot find the Language option in Outlook?
A: This is rare. Try repairing Office from Control Panel > Programs > Microsoft Office > Change > Quick Repair.

Q: Does changing Outlook language affect my emails?
A: No. Only the interface changes. Your emails remain as they are.

Final Tips For A Smooth Language Change

Always restart Outlook after making language changes. If you use multiple devices, change the language on each one. The web version does not sync with the desktop app. Keep your Office suite updated to avoid bugs. If you encounter errors, use the built-in repair tool first.

Remember that the exact steps may vary slighly between Outlook versions. The core logic is always the same: navigate to language settings and set English as preferred. Do not hesitate to use the search bar in Outlook options if you get lost. It can help you find the language section quickly.

Changing the language back to English is a simple process once you know where to look. This guide covered all major platforms and common pitfalls. You should now have Outlook working in English again. If you still face issues, Microsoft’s support site has detailed articles for each version.

Take a moment to verify your settings are correct. Open a few menus to confirm the labels are in English. Check the spell checker by typing a test email. Everything should work as expected. Enjoy your restored English interface.