Read Aloud not working in Edge [Fixed]

Read Aloud is a built-in feature of the Edge browser that reads the content of a webpage, eBook, or PDF, loud enough to be heard. You may think of it as a text-to-speech converter that allows you to enjoy news, articles, eBooks; even your own custom content without having to read them. The feature was initially designed to help users with reading difficulties, but nowadays many people use Read Aloud regularly to prevent reading fatigue and eye strain caused due to long reading sessions.

Read Aloud not working in Edge

While Read Aloud works well most of the time, many users have reported that they are facing issues while using it on Microsoft Edge. This article suggests the following fixes that may help resolve the issues:

1. Check if the Tab is Muted
2. Check PC Volume Level
3. Check Sound Output Device
4. Clear Browser Cache Data
5. Reset Microsoft Edge.

Let us take a look at them in detail.

1] Check if the Tab is Muted

All modern browsers, including Microsoft Edge, allows muting specific tabs so that you won’t be bothered by unwanted sounds, such as those coming from video ads. Start by checking if the tab is muted.

1. Right-click on your tab.
2. Click on the ‘Unmute tab’ option.

You can also use the ‘Ctrl + M‘ key combination to toggle between mute/ unmute.

2] Check PC Volume Level

Windows allows to adjust app sound individually. That means you can lower the volume or completely mute system sound specifically for Microsoft Edge.

If the tab is not muted, check if the volume for Edge on your device is not muted or set to low.

1. Right-click on the Speaker icon in the Taskbar.
2. Click on ‘Open volume mixer’.
3. On the right panel, look for Microsoft Edge under Apps.
4. Adjust the volume using the available slider.

3] Check Sound Output Device

Next, check the sound output device. Sometimes, the sound may be coming from a wireless headphone connected via Bluetooth, which goes unnoticed.

1. Right-click on the Speaker icon in the Taskbar.
2. Click on the ‘Sound settings’ option.
3. Under Output, select the audio device you want to use.

Also Read: How to Enable or Disable Sound Output Device in Windows.

4] Clear Browser Cache Data

Edge saves a copy of web pages to load them faster when you re-visit them. While the existing cache data may improve your browsing experience, it may sometimes interfere with the functionality of the browser. Clear Edge browsing data and check if you still find Read Aloud not working in Edge.

1. Right-click on the three dots (…) icon located at the top-right corner of the Edge browser, just below the x icon.
2. Click on the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Click on ‘Privacy, search, and services’ under Settings.
4. Scroll down to the Clear Browsing Data section.
5. Click on ‘Choose what to clear’.
6. Select ‘All time’ under Time range.
7. Check ‘Cached images and files’.
8. Hit the ‘Clear Now’ button.

5] Reset Microsoft Edge

If nothing else works, try to reset Microsoft Edge. Please note that the ‘reset’ action will remove your cache data and cookies and turn off your extensions. However, it will not affect your bookmarks, history, and saved passwords.

1. Right-click on the three dots (…) icon.
2. Click on the ‘Settings’ option.
3. Click on ‘Reset Settings’ on the left panel.
4. Then click on ‘Reset settings to their default values’.
5. Hit the Reset button.
6. Close all tabs and Exit the Edge browser.
7. Re-launch Edge and check if the problem is fixed.

The above solutions should fix Read Aloud not working in Edge. If you still face issues, try updating Microsoft Edge to the latest version or disabling any third-party extensions that may be causing trouble.

Read: How to use Read aloud in Microsoft Edge for iPad

How do I enable read-aloud in Microsoft Edge?

Open the webpage, PDF, or eBook that you would like to read in a new browser tab. Click on the Read Aloud icon visible on top of the page. Alternatively, you can press the ‘Ctrl + Shift + U‘ key combination. Once Read Aloud is enabled, you can choose a voice or adjust playback speed using the ‘Voice options’ button.

Read: Make Edge browser read-aloud eBook, PDF or Web page in Windows.

How do I get a PDF to read aloud?

To read aloud a PDF, open it in a new tab of the Microsoft Edge browser. Once the file is opened, you will see a toolbar on top. The toolbar consists of a ‘Read aloud’ button. You just have to press that button to get the Edge browser read it for you.

Read Next: How to import Chrome Data to Microsoft Edge without installing Google Chrome.