read aloud is not working

Question

read aloud is not working

DERRICK JOSHUA 5

MY READ ALOUD TEXT IS NOT WORKING DO I HAVE TO UPGRADE OR BUY A PROGRAM FOR THIS

0 comments

2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Vikki-T 13,600 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi DERRICK JOSHUA,

You do not need to upgrade Microsoft Edge or purchase another program. Read aloud is already included in Microsoft Edge and is also supported by Edge’s built-in PDF reader.

To help narrow down the issue, could you please clarify what happens when you try to use it?

Is the Read aloud option missing, greyed out, stuck loading, or does it run without producing any sound?
Does the problem affect every PDF or only one particular file?
Does Read aloud work on a regular webpage when you press Ctrl + Shift + U?

Please also open a different PDF from another source and test it in Edge. If Read aloud works with another PDF, the issue is likely limited to the original file rather than the feature itself.

You can also try opening Read aloud from Settings and more (…) > More tools > Read aloud.

Microsoft’s official guidance is available here: Use Reading mode in Microsoft Edge

Please share the results of these checks so we can suggest the most relevant next step. Thank you so much for your understanding.

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Vikki-T 13,600 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-10-24T12:05:53.83+00:00

Hi DERRICK JOSHUA,

It has been a while and I am writing to see how things are going with this issue.

Have you had a chance to check the replies provided?

Any update would be appreciated.
Andromeda Navarre 0 Reputation points

2026-11-08T17:17:26.8566667+00:00

Mine isn't working either. I tried that and it's greyed out, I cannot click on it. Mine happened right after I tried switching voices and didn't think to pause it first.

Edit: I may have fixed it. I had to let it sit open and just wait for it load. After that go to the voices and change the voice then it should go back. If you already tried that then I'm sorry, it just worked for me.
Vikki-T 13,600 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-11-09T13:43:30.0466667+00:00

Hi Andromeda Navarre,

Thank you for coming back and sharing what worked for you.

Waiting for it to load, temporarily selecting another voice, and then switching back to the preferred voice may also help others who find the Read aloud controls greyed out. If the problem returns or the controls remain unavailable after waiting, please let me know whether it affects all webpages and PDFs or only a particular file, and I can look into the next steps.

Answer 2

You do not need to buy or upgrade to another program because Read Aloud is built into Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.^1^

Test whether the problem is limited to the PDF

Open a regular webpage containing an article in Edge.
Press Ctrl + Shift + U. Alternatively, right-click the page and select Read aloud.
Check the result:
- The webpage works: The issue is specific to that PDF. Try another PDF. Some PDFs use formats or protections that Edge cannot process normally.
- Nothing is read anywhere: Continue below.
- Read Aloud is missing: Select Settings and more (…) → More tools → Read aloud.^1^

Isolate extensions, profiles, and voices

Press Ctrl + Shift + N to open an InPrivate window, then test a normal webpage and the PDF.
For a definitive extension test, go to Settings and more (…) → Extensions → Manage extensions, temporarily disable every extension, restart Edge, and test again. An extension explicitly allowed in InPrivate can still operate there.
Select the profile icon at the upper-right and choose Browse as guest.
- If Read Aloud works as Guest, the problem is probably limited to the regular Edge profile or its synchronized data.
Open Windows Settings → Time & language → Speech and verify that a voice is installed. Then open Voice options in Edge and try another voice, preferably a local Windows voice. These isolation steps are recommended for Read Aloud controls that are unavailable or greyed out.^2^

Update and repair Edge

In Edge, open Settings and more (…) → Settings → About Microsoft Edge.
Install any offered update and restart Edge.
If that does not resolve it:
- Close Edge for every signed-in Windows user.
- Open Start → Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Find Microsoft Edge, select its menu, and choose Modify → Yes → Repair.
- Keep the computer connected to the internet during repair. Edge repair should not affect browser data or settings.^3^

If Modify is unavailable on a work or school computer, Edge may be managed by the organization; contact its system administrator.^3^

Reset Edge if repair does not help

Go to Edge → Settings → Reset settings → Restore settings to their default values. This resets startup, new-tab, and search settings, unpins tabs, and disables extensions, but should not remove favorites, history, or saved passwords.^2^

If it fails only when signed in

If Read Aloud works in Guest mode but stops after signing in with your Microsoft account:

Open Windows Settings → Accounts → Other users → Add account.
Choose I don’t have this person’s sign-in information → Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Sign in to that temporary Windows account.
Open Edge, sign in with the affected Microsoft account, and test Read Aloud.

If the failure follows that Microsoft account, contact Microsoft Support and request Microsoft Edge technical support or chat with a support agent. Account synchronization or Read Aloud service issues may require investigation that cannot be performed locally.^4^

Also report the problem from Edge → Settings and more (…) → Help and feedback → Send feedback, including whether it affects all webpages or only PDFs.

References