Although the literature on computer-assisted language learning has demonstrated that digital tools such as online translators and bilingual dictionaries offer affordances to second language (or foreign language) writers of English to solve linguistic (lexical and syntactic) issues, the extent to which digital technology supports multilingual students in producing academic texts has been underexplored. In this study, we investigate what digital technology enables and does not enable students to do in communicating their intended meaning in English by examining the writing experience of a multilingual student in an online higher education environment. The data was derived through screen sharing and online stimulated recall interviews and analysed using the concept of digital translanguaging, which focuses on meaning-making using one's entire meaning-making repertoire. The findings suggest that digital translanguaging offers many opportunities to expand the knowledge of vocabulary through self-learning. However, it also becomes evident that the success of working through lexical and syntactic issues is impacted by several factors, such as prior knowledge of the second language (L2), effective online search strategies, and awareness of digital reference resources for different purposes (e.g., online translators for literal and/or context-appropriate translations and language forums to seek advice about specific language issues from proficient speakers). We conclude by providing insights into instructional and strategic support to effectively assist multilingual students to offer greater opportunities to achieve their communication goals.