Fix Word Read Aloud Skipping First Words of Each Line
Question details
The user is experiencing a playback issue where the Microsoft Word Read Aloud feature skips the first few words of every line.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Using the Read Aloud accessibility feature to listen to text within a Word document.
- Observed behavior
- The text-to-speech engine fails to read the beginning of each line, resulting in incomplete audio playback.
Before troubleshooting, verify that your computer's audio is working correctly and ensure your device is connected to the internet, as some advanced reading voices require an active connection.
Check for Office Updates and Verify Version
Updating Microsoft Office ensures that any known bugs with the Read Aloud feature are patched by the latest releases.
Microsoft frequently releases updates to improve the performance and reliability of features like Read Aloud. If your Office installation is outdated, it may cause playback glitches.
Launch Microsoft Word, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Account' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
Click on 'Update Options' next to Office Updates, and select 'Update Now' from the drop-down menu. Wait for the process to complete.
Once the updates are installed, restart Microsoft Word, open your document, and activate Read Aloud to see if the skipping issue is resolved.
Test Read Aloud in a New Document
Testing the feature in a brand-new document helps determine if the issue is caused by document-specific corruption or hidden formatting.
Check Document Language Settings
Ensuring the correct language is assigned to your text prevents the Read Aloud engine from attempting to process the text with the wrong voice pack.
Switch to WPS Office for a Flawless Reading Experience
If Microsoft Word continues to skip words during Read Aloud, try WPS Office. It is a completely free, lightweight suite that fully supports Word documents and offers stable, built-in reading tools without the glitches.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installation package for your operating system.
- 2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer, click 'Open', and select your existing Word document to continue your work without interruptions.
- 3. Enjoy Seamless Editing: Utilize the highly compatible suite to read, edit, and manage your files smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change the Read Aloud voice or speed in Word?
Once Read Aloud is active, a small playback toolbar appears on your screen. Click the gear icon (Settings) on this toolbar to adjust the reading speed slider and select a different voice from the dropdown menu.
Why is the Read Aloud button grayed out or missing?
The Read Aloud feature may be unavailable if your Office version is outdated, if you are offline while trying to use cloud-based voices, or if the document's language is not supported by your currently installed Windows voice packs.
Does Read Aloud work with PDF files opened in Word?
Yes, when you open a PDF in Word, it converts the file to a standard Word document. As long as the text is recognizable characters and not a flattened image, Read Aloud can process and read the converted text.
Can paragraph formatting cause Read Aloud to skip sentences?
Yes. Unusual line breaks (Shift+Enter), hidden formatting characters, or complex layouts like floating text boxes can confuse the Read Aloud engine. Pasting the content as plain text into a new document often resolves this.
