Copilot Read Aloud Not Working affects many users worldwide. This feature helps people listen instead of reading text. It improves accessibility and reduces eye strain greatly.
Sometimes it stops playing audio suddenly. Other times it fails inside apps. This guide explains causes and fixes clearly. Follow each step carefully to restore functionality successfully.
Why Copilot Read Aloud Not Working Happens
Copilot Read Aloud depends on multiple system components. Any failure can stop audio playback instantly.
The feature is still relatively new. Because of this, bugs appear occasionally. Copilot runs through Windows, Edge, and apps. Each connection point can create problems.
Many issues trigger Copilot Read Aloud failures. Outdated Windows versions often cause compatibility issues. Old Microsoft Edge builds break speech features.
Microsoft 365 problems also affect enhanced audio options. Sometimes the feature is unavailable in certain regions. Regional rollout delays limit feature access.
Muted system volume blocks audio playback completely. Incorrect output device selection causes silent failures. Internet connection problems interrupt Copilot processing.
Subscription issues disable enhanced Read Aloud features. Missing or corrupted Text to Speech voices also break functionality.
Audio services crashing stops sound system-wide. Browser cache corruption prevents proper execution. Extensions interfere with speech playback processes. App permissions may silently block audio output. Understanding these reasons helps choose correct solutions.
Start With Basic Fixes First
Always begin with simple troubleshooting steps. These fixes resolve many issues quickly. Internet connectivity should be checked immediately. Restart your router if the connection seems unstable. The copilot needs a stable internet for processing.
Restart your computer and browser fully. This clears temporary memory issues instantly. Many hidden glitches disappear after restarting.
Next, check the system and browser volume settings. Ensure Microsoft Edge audio is not muted. Increase volume manually using system controls.
Updating software is extremely important. Outdated systems break Copilot features frequently. Update Windows to the latest version available.
Update Microsoft Edge completely. Update Microsoft 365 apps properly. Update Copilot app if installed. Updates include speech and audio fixes.
Check Subscription and Feature Availability
Copilot Read Aloud offers different feature levels. Classic Read Aloud works without subscriptions. Enhanced Read Aloud requires a Microsoft 365 subscription.
Enhanced features include interactive questions and audio overview. Without subscription, these features stop working.
To confirm subscription status, open Microsoft Account online. Navigate to the subscriptions section carefully. Click manage beside Microsoft 365 plan.
Renew the plan if it expires. Expired subscriptions disable enhanced functionality instantly.
Regional availability also affects Copilot Read Aloud. Some regions receive features later. Feature rollout may not reach your country yet. This limitation can prevent Read Aloud activation.
Restart Windows Audio Services Correctly
Audio services manage all system sounds. When they crash, Read Aloud produces no sound. Restarting services refreshes the audio engine. This solution fixes many playback issues.
Open the Run dialog using Windows plus R. Type services.msc and press enter. Locate Windows Audio service carefully.
Find Windows Audio Endpoint Builder next. Locate Remote Procedure Call service. Restart each service one by one.
After restarting services, test Read Aloud again. Many users regain audio immediately. This method resolves system-level sound failures effectively.
Enable Read Aloud Voice Settings
Copilot uses Windows Text to Speech voices. If voices are disabled, audio fails. Missing voice packs also cause silent errors.
Open Settings using Windows plus I. Navigate to the Accessibility section. Open the Narrator settings menu. Select a default Narrator voice. Ensure the voice downloads completely.
If voice corruption exists, download another voice. This restores missing TTS components properly. Without enabled voices, Copilot cannot speak text.
Reset Microsoft Edge Browser
Microsoft Edge plays a major role. Corrupted cache blocks Read Aloud features. Browser extensions may interfere unexpectedly. Resetting Edge restores default behavior safely.
Open Microsoft Edge browser. Click the three dots menu. Select Settings from the list. Navigate to Reset Settings section. Choose to restore default settings. Confirm the reset process.
Saved data remains intact during reset. Internal browser components return to default. Read Aloud functionality usually returns after reset.
Check Audio Output Device Settings
Incorrect output device selection stops sound. Your PC may choose the wrong audio device. Always verify the active output device manually.
Open Quick Settings panel. Select correct speakers or headphones. Increase volume to proper level. Low output blocks audible playback. Ensure headphones are connected properly.
Update Windows 11 System
Windows updates include speech engine improvements. Old builds break Copilot integration. Always keep Windows fully updated.
Open Settings and select Windows Update. Install all pending updates available. Updates include fixes for TTS services. Restart system after updates finish.
Check App Permissions for Audio
Permissions control microphone and sound access. Denied permissions block Read Aloud indirectly. Always verify permission settings carefully.
Open Settings and navigate to Privacy. Select App Permissions section. Open Microphone and Audio options. Ensure Copilot and Edge have access.
Blocked permissions silently stop sound playback. Granting access restores normal audio behavior.
Repair or Reset Copilot App
The standalone Copilot app may corrupt files. Corrupted files cause silent crashes. Repairing the app fixes missing components.
Open Settings and navigate to Apps. Select the Installed Apps section. Locate Copilot application. Open advanced options menu. Choose the repair option first.
If repair fails, reset the app. Reset removes stored app data. Restart system after repair or reset.
The Bottom Corner
Copilot Read Aloud Not Working usually stems from system problems. Audio services, permissions, updates, or subscriptions often fail. Checking basic settings saves troubleshooting time.
Restarting audio services restores sound quickly. Updating Windows, Edge, and Copilot ensures compatibility. Following this guide carefully restores Read Aloud functionality reliably for daily use.
