Edge Read Aloud Not Working? Fix It Now! [Quick Guide]

Microsoft Edge, a powerful browser developed by Microsoft, often leverages features like Accessibility Options to enhance user experience; however, sometimes the edge read aloud does not work as intended. Proper troubleshooting involves understanding potential conflicts with installed extensions that may interfere with the feature’s functionality. When this happens, you need to understand how to resolve these issues. Let’s dive into fixing it now!

Image taken from the YouTube channel Ditech Gaming , from the video titled Microsoft Edge read aloud function/feature is not working on pdf files – text to speech .

Edge Read Aloud Not Working? Fix It Now! [Quick Guide]

When Edge’s Read Aloud feature fails, it can be frustrating. This guide provides a structured approach to troubleshooting and resolving issues where "edge read aloud does not work." We’ll cover common causes and offer step-by-step solutions.

Understanding Why Edge Read Aloud Fails

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand the potential culprits behind the problem. Several factors can prevent Edge Read Aloud from functioning correctly.

• Incorrect Settings: The Read Aloud feature might be disabled or configured improperly.
• Browser Extensions: Certain extensions can interfere with Edge’s functionality, including Read Aloud.
• Corrupted Browser Cache/Data: Old or corrupted data can cause various browser issues.
• Outdated Browser: Using an outdated version of Microsoft Edge can lead to compatibility problems.
• Website Compatibility: Not all websites support Read Aloud.
• System Issues: Less commonly, system-level problems might affect browser performance.

Troubleshooting Steps: A Systematic Approach

We’ll work through a series of checks and fixes, starting with the simplest and most common solutions.

1. Verify Read Aloud is Enabled and Properly Configured

• Check the Read Aloud Toolbar:

  • When you activate Read Aloud (usually by right-clicking and selecting "Read aloud"), a toolbar should appear. Ensure that the "Play" button isn’t paused or muted.
  • Look for settings icons (gear icons) on the toolbar. These allow you to adjust voice, speed, and other preferences. Make sure these are configured to your liking.

• Confirm Settings in Edge:

  • Go to edge://settings/accessibility in your Edge browser.
  • Ensure "Read aloud" is toggled on.
  • Review the "Text to speech" options to check the selected voice, reading speed, and voice style.

2. Disable Browser Extensions Temporarily

Browser extensions are a frequent cause of conflicts. To test if an extension is causing the issue:

1. Go to edge://extensions/ in your Edge browser.
2. Disable all extensions by toggling their switches off.

3. Restart Edge and try using Read Aloud again.

   • If Read Aloud now works, one of your extensions was the problem.
   • Re-enable your extensions one by one, testing Read Aloud after enabling each, to identify the culprit.
   • Consider removing or updating the problematic extension.

3. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies

Accumulated browser data can sometimes interfere with browser functionality.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (Mac) to open the "Clear browsing data" dialog.
2. Select "All time" for the time range.
3. Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files."
4. Click "Clear now."
5. Restart Edge and test Read Aloud.

4. Update Microsoft Edge

Using an outdated version of Edge can cause compatibility issues.

1. Click the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner of Edge.
2. Go to "Help and feedback" > "About Microsoft Edge."
3. Edge will automatically check for updates. If an update is available, it will download and install it.
4. Restart Edge to apply the update.

5. Verify Website Compatibility

Read Aloud might not work on all websites due to how the website is coded.

• Try Different Websites: Test Read Aloud on multiple websites (e.g., a simple news article, a Wikipedia page). If it works on some sites but not others, the issue is likely with the website’s code.
• Avoid PDFs in the Browser: While Edge can open PDFs, Read Aloud might be unreliable. Download the PDF and open it in a dedicated PDF reader that supports text-to-speech.
• Web Page Structure: Read Aloud may struggle with websites that use complex layouts or heavy JavaScript. Consider copying the text to a simpler document or using a reader view (if available).

6. Check System Audio Settings

Less frequently, the issue might stem from your computer’s audio settings.

1. Volume Level: Ensure your system volume is not muted and is set to an audible level.
2. Output Device: Verify that the correct audio output device (speakers, headphones) is selected in your system settings.
3. Audio Drivers: Consider updating your audio drivers. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause sound-related problems.
   • Windows: Search for "Device Manager" in the Windows search bar, open it, expand "Sound, video and game controllers," right-click your audio device, and select "Update driver."
   • Mac: macOS generally handles driver updates automatically, but ensure you are running the latest version of macOS.

7. Reset Edge to Default Settings (Use with Caution)

If all else fails, resetting Edge to its default settings can resolve deeply embedded issues. However, this will erase your browser settings, bookmarks, and history.

1. Go to edge://settings/reset in your Edge browser.
2. Click "Restore settings to their default values."
3. Confirm the reset.
4. Restart Edge and test Read Aloud. You’ll need to reconfigure your preferences and settings.

Table: Quick Troubleshooting Checklist

Alright, hopefully, you’ve got Edge’s Read Aloud back up and running! If you are still facing the edge read aloud does not work, let me know in the comments, and we will figure it out together!