Copilot Read Aloud Not Working

The Read Aloud feature in Copilot is designed to make content more accessible by reading text aloud.
However, sometimes it may stop working due to system settings, outdated software, or missing components.

Here is a complete guide on how you can fix the issue when Copilot Read aloud does not work.

Reasons Why Copilot Read Aloud Is Not Working

Table of Contents

Here are some common reasons why Copilot might not be working.

Volume & Device Settings – The system volume may be muted or too low. The wrong playback device could be selected.
Outdated App or Windows – Copilot may require the latest version to function properly.
Sound Settings Misconfiguration – Incorrect playback device set in Windows Sound settings.
Audio Services Not Running – Windows Audio or Audio Endpoint Builder services may have stopped.
Outdated or Corrupt Audio Drivers – Drivers may be outdated or incompatible.
Missing Speech Packs – Natural voices may not be installed.
Browser Compatibility – Copilot’s app may have issues, but Microsoft Edge’s built-in Read Aloud can serve as a workaround.
Corrupted Copilot App – App files may be damaged.
Microphone Access Settings – If microphone access is disabled, Copilot may not process speech correctly.
Unresolved Bugs – Persistent issues may require reporting directly to Microsoft for investigation.

What To Do When Copilot Read Aloud is Not Working

Follow this step -by-step guide when Copilot read aloud does not work.

1. Check Volume & Device

When read aloud feature is not working in Copilot, check the volume and device settings.

To do that, click the speaker icon in the taskbar.
Make sure volume is up.
Next, Click on the gear or Settings icon and then select System then, Sound. Confirm the correct output device is selected.

Ensure Copilot’s volume isn’t muted in system settings.
Once done, close and reopen the Copilot app. If that doesn’t help, restart your computer. You can check this guide to set default audio device in Windows.

2. Check for Updates

The next thing you can do is check for any available update.

To do that Open Microsoft Store then go to Library. Scroll down to Copilot and check if there is any available update. Download and install the update.

You can also update your Windows to the latest version. if you have issues installing Windows updates, then check this guide for help.Then, check Sound Settings.
Press Win + I then go to System then Sound.
Verify your playback device is correctly set.

3. Restart Audio Services

Next, restart the audio services. Follow these steps to do so:

Press Win + R to launch Run utility.
Type services.msc in the Run command box then press Enter.
Find Windows Audio and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder.
Right‑click on each service and Restart the services.

4. Update Audio Drivers

The next thing you can do is update the audio drivers.

To do that, press Win + X then select Device Manager.
Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
Right‑click your audio device then, select the Update driver option.

Choose Search automatically for drivers or download from your PC manufacturer’s site.

5. Check Speech Packs

The next thing you can do is check if proper speech packs are installed. Here’s how to check that:

Press Win + I to open Settings. Then select Time & Language then select Speech.
Ensure natural voices are installed.
In the Choose a voice dropdown, select one of the natural voices.
If missing, re‑download the speech packs.

6. Try Edge Browser

Open copilot.microsoft.com in Microsoft Edge.

Use Edge’s built‑in Read Aloud feature as a workaround. To find that, click on the three dots menu in the address bar then select Read Aloud or you can use Ctrl + Shift + U key combinations.

7. Repair or Reset Copilot App

The next thing you can do is repair or reset the Copilot app. Here’s how to do so:

Press Win + I key combination. Then open Apps then Installed apps.
Find Copilot, then click on the three dots menu. Select Advanced options.
Click Repair. If issues persist, click Reset. Once done, check if the Copilot app is working as expected.

8. Check Microphone Access

The next thing you can check is microphone access is enabled. Follow this process to do so:

Press Win + I key combination. Select Privacy and Security.
Check if microphone access is enabled for apps, including Copilot.

9. Report to Microsoft

If problems continue, open Copilot then go to the Feedback option.

Submit a report to Microsoft for investigation.

Open the Microsoft Copilot.
Look for the three dots menu or a Help icon, usually in the top right.
Select “Report and issue” from the menu.
Choose whether it’s a Problem or a Suggestion.
Describe the issue in detail and add a screenshot if it helps. Submit the report.

Wrapping Up

So, there you have it! Copilot’s Read Aloud feature may fail due to basic audio settings, outdated software, missing speech packs, or app corruption.

By systematically checking each of these areas—starting with volume and device settings, then moving through updates, drivers, and app repair—you can usually resolve the issue. For any further queries, ask us in the comments section provided below.