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How to Fix Copilot Freezing with VoiceOver on iPad
Question details
Copilot freezes or loses cursor focus when using the iPad VoiceOver feature to read Word documents or PDFs line by line.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Using the VoiceOver accessibility feature to read documents with Copilot after a recent Microsoft 365 app update.
- Observed behavior
- The Microsoft 365 app freezes, becomes completely unresponsive, or the cursor randomly loses focus during line-by-line reading.
Ensure your iPad has a stable internet connection and force-save any recent edits in your Word documents before proceeding to avoid data loss during troubleshooting.
Update Software and Restart VoiceOver
Keeping iPadOS and the Microsoft 365 app fully updated is the best way to patch known compatibility issues and bugs.
Microsoft frequently releases patches for accessibility bugs introduced in previous updates. Updating both your operating system and the specific app ensures maximum compatibility.
Restarting VoiceOver reinitializes the screen reader and can immediately restore normal cursor focus.
Open the App Store on your iPad, tap your profile icon at the top right, scroll down to check for available updates, and tap 'Update' next to Microsoft 365.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad and install any pending system updates.
Triple-click the Home or Top button to quickly turn VoiceOver off, wait a few seconds, and triple-click again to turn it back on.
Open a completely different Word document or PDF file to verify if the freezing issue is file-specific or system-wide.
Adjust Accessibility and Speech Settings
Modifying default voice settings and disabling conflicting accessibility options can help bypass the freezing issue.
Optimize Device Memory and Submit Feedback
Freeing up RAM can prevent unresponsiveness, while reporting the issue ensures Microsoft developers are aware of the persistent bug.
Read Word Documents and PDFs Smoothly with WPS Office
If Microsoft 365 continues to freeze during document reading on your iPad, switch to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, highly compatible, and user-friendly experience for viewing and editing Word and PDF files without heavy system resource demands.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Install WPS Office for free from the iPad App Store.
- 2. Import Your Files: Open the app and easily import your existing Microsoft Word documents or PDFs.
- 3. Read Without Freezing: Utilize the built-in reading tools to view your documents smoothly without losing focus or experiencing app crashes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does VoiceOver cause Copilot to freeze on my iPad?
This is typically caused by a compatibility bug introduced in a recent Microsoft 365 app update. The update can disrupt cursor focus when VoiceOver attempts to read line by line, causing the app to lock up.
How do I change the VoiceOver speech rate on my iPad?
Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Speech. From this menu, you can adjust the speaking rate slider, select different voices, and modify pronunciation settings.
Can corrupted Word documents cause Copilot to freeze?
Yes. If a specific Word document or PDF is corrupted or has highly complex formatting, it can cause text-to-speech features and Copilot to become unresponsive. Testing a different file can help rule this out.
How can I submit feedback to Microsoft about this iPad issue?
Open the Microsoft 365 app, tap your profile icon in the corner, select 'Help & Feedback', and choose 'Tell Us What Can Be Better' or 'Report a Problem' to explain the VoiceOver freezing issue.
