You open Microsoft Word, start typing your report, and everything’s flowing smoothly. Words come easily. You’re in that perfect rhythm. Then you look down at the bottom corner of the screen—the little number that quietly tracks your progress—and it’s gone. The word count is missing. Suddenly, that small detail feels like a big deal.
I’ve been there too. Writing an article late at night, checking my progress, and realizing the count had vanished from the status bar. It isn’t enjoyable, especially when you need to stay within a limit. You start guessing, backspacing, maybe even copying the text into another app to check it. But don’t worry—it’s fixable. In fact, the fix is usually straightforward once you know where to look.
This guide walks through why the Word count isn’t showing in Microsoft Word, and how to bring it back—whether you’re using the desktop version, Word for the web, or Word mobile.
Why the Word Count Might Disappear
Microsoft Word has a small panel at the bottom of your screen called the status bar. It displays essential details—like word count, page count, and language. If the word count isn’t showing, it’s often because the setting has been accidentally turned off. Other times, it’s a software glitch, or the document is in a view mode that hides it.
Here are the most common causes:
- Status bar customization: The “Word Count” option is unchecked.
- Document in read-only or protected mode: You can’t see live counts.
- Old or buggy version of Word: The display doesn’t update properly.
- Hidden interface: The status bar may be minimized or disabled.
Thankfully, each of these has an easy solution. Let’s get into it.
How to Fix Word Count Not Showing on Word Desktop
If you’re on Windows or Mac, this is where most people face the issue.
Step 1: Right-click the Status Bar
Scroll down to the bottom of your Word window. Even if the word count isn’t visible, right-click anywhere on that grey bar.
Step 2: Enable “Word Count”
A list of display options will pop up—like “Page Number,” “Line Number,” “Spelling,” and more. Find “Word Count” and make sure it’s checked. Once you click it, the live count will instantly appear in the bottom-left corner.
Step 3: Check Your Document Mode
If the word count still doesn’t appear, check if your document is in Read Mode or Protected View. You can’t see live updates there. Switch to Print Layout or Draft Mode by clicking the View tab and selecting one of those options.
Step 4: Repair or Update Word
If nothing changes, your version of Microsoft Word might be outdated. Go to File> Account > Update Options > Update Now. Glitches like missing display items often vanish after updates.
Step 5: Restart Word
Sometimes, it’s just a temporary display bug. Close Word completely and reopen it. If that doesn’t help, restarting your computer usually resets the UI cache.
How to Fix Word Count Not Showing in Word Online
Microsoft Word for the web (Office 365) doesn’t display the word count on the status bar the same way as the desktop version. Instead, you have to open it manually each time.
Here’s how:
- Open your document in Word Online.
- Click the Review tab on the top menu.
- Select Word Count from the dropdown.
- A sidebar will open on the left, showing the word count and other stats.
Unlike the desktop app, Word Online doesn’t have a continuous display. You’ll need to reopen the word count panel whenever you want to check it.
Fixing Word Count on Word Mobile (Android or iPhone)
If you use Microsoft Word on your phone or tablet, the process is slightly different—but still easy.
- Open your document in the Word mobile app.
- Tap the Edit (pencil) icon to enable editing mode.
- Tap the Review tab at the bottom toolbar.
- Choose Word Count.
You’ll now see a small pop-up window showing the total number of words, and sometimes the total number of characters too. If it doesn’t show up, make sure you’re in editing mode—not just viewing the document.
Suppose you want to check both the Word and character counts at once. In that case, you can also read our related article on the Microsoft Word status bar not showing — it explains how to restore missing interface elements that affect these features.
What If the Status Bar Itself Is Missing?
Occasionally, the entire status bar disappears. When that happens, none of the counts or stats show up. To fix that:
- Go to the File menu.
- Click Options.
- Choose Advanced.
- Scroll down to the Display section and ensure “Show status bar” is checked.
After enabling this, reopen your document—the bar should reappear, complete with the word count.
Alternate Ways to Check Word Count
If, for some reason, you can’t get the live Word count back, there are quick alternatives.
- Use the Word Count Tool in the Review Tab:
- Go to Review > Word Count. A box pops up showing words, characters, paragraphs, and lines. You can also check “Include textboxes, footnotes, and endnotes” if needed.
- Highlight Specific Text:
- You can select a section of text and then open the Word Count box to view the total for that selection only.
- Use Word Online or Mobile Temporarily:
- Copy your content into another Word document to view the count there. It’s not ideal, but it works in a pinch.
When Word Count Freezes or Doesn’t Update
Sometimes, the word count is visible—but it doesn’t change as you type. That’s just as frustrating. This issue usually happens due to:
- Outdated Word version
- Large documents with multiple sections
- Hidden content or tracked changes
To fix it:
- Save your File.
- Close and reopen Word.
- Disable “Track Changes” under the Review tab if it’s active.
- Update Word to the latest version.
It resets the live counter, and the count will resume updating.
Pro Tip: Customize Your Status Bar
You can choose what shows up on the status bar besides word count—like page number, line number, or language. Right-click it at any time to toggle these features on or off. It’s a small step, but it gives you control over how much detail you see while working.
FAQs About Word Count Not Showing in Word
1. Why did the Word count suddenly disappear?
Most likely, the “Word Count” option in the status bar got unchecked by accident. Right-click the status bar and re-enable it.
2. Can I see the Word count for the selected text only?
Yes. Highlight the text and check the Word count in the Review tab. Word will show the number for that specific section.
3. Why isn’t Word count visible in Word Online?
Because the online version doesn’t display it in the status bar, you must manually open it under Review > Word Count.
4. My Word count isn’t updating while typing—what should I do?
Save your document, close Word, and reopen it. If it persists, turn off “Track Changes” and update the app.
5. Is there a shortcut key for word count?
Yes. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + G. On Mac, use Command + Shift + G.
Final Thought
A missing word count might seem like a small issue, but when you’re in the middle of writing—tracking your progress, pacing your work—it’s more than just a number. It’s motivation. It’s feedback. It keeps you focused.