How to Fix Immersive Reader Not Working in Word or OneNote
Question details
The user is unable to use the Immersive Reader feature in Office applications, as it is either unavailable or completely unresponsive.
- Product
- Microsoft Word, Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to activate and use the Immersive Reader tool to improve reading comprehension and accessibility within a document.
- Observed behavior
- The Immersive Reader option is either missing from the View tab, greyed out, or freezes the application when activated.
Ensure you have a stable internet connection and have saved all your open documents, as performing an online repair or updating your software will require restarting the Office applications.
Verify Office Version and Feature Compatibility
Check if your specific version of Microsoft Office includes support for the Immersive Reader feature.
Immersive Reader is not supported in every standalone edition of Microsoft Office. Older versions, such as Office 2013 or some 2016 volume licenses, may not include this feature. It is fully supported in Microsoft 365 and newer standalone versions.
Launch Microsoft Word or OneNote. Click on 'File' in the top-left corner, then select 'Account' (or 'Help' on older versions) from the left-hand menu.
Look at the right side of the window under 'Product Information' to see your exact Office version and subscription status.
Click the 'Update Options' button next to your version details and select 'Update Now' to ensure you have the latest feature rollouts installed.
Perform an Online Repair for Microsoft Office
Use the built-in Windows repair tool to fix corrupted Office files that may be causing Immersive Reader to freeze or disappear.
Enjoy a Seamless Reading and Editing Experience with WPS Office
If Microsoft Office features frequently freeze, require lengthy repairs, or are unavailable in your current version, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, free alternative with built-in reading features, outstanding format compatibility, and a familiar user interface that makes transitioning effortless.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS website and click the 'Free Download' button to get the latest version.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded executable file and follow the quick installation prompts on your screen.
- 3. Open Your Documents: Launch WPS Writer and simply drag and drop your existing .docx files to start reading and editing seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Immersive Reader button grayed out in Word?
The Immersive Reader button is often grayed out if your document is opened in 'Compatibility Mode' (an older file format like .doc) or if you are using an unsupported view. Try navigating to File > Info > Convert to update the document format, and ensure you are in 'Print Layout' view.
Is Immersive Reader available on all versions of Microsoft Word?
No. Immersive Reader is primarily available for Microsoft 365 subscribers, Word for the Web, and newer standalone versions like Office 2019 and 2021. If you are using an older version such as Office 2013, the feature will not be present.
How do I turn off Immersive Reader once it is activated?
To exit Immersive Reader in Word, simply click the 'Close Immersive Reader' button located on the far right of the Immersive Reader ribbon tab, or press the Escape (Esc) key on your keyboard.
