Office Settings & Configuration

How to Fix Read Aloud Not Working in Microsoft Office 365

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to use the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Office, as the system continuously prompts them to sign in to select a voice.

Product: Microsoft Office / Microsoft 365
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to use the text-to-speech Read Aloud function to read document text in Microsoft Office applications.
Observed behavior: Read Aloud fails to work, displaying a message asking the user to sign in before selecting a voice, even after signing out, restarting the device, and signing back in.

Before you start

Verify that your internet connection is stable, as cloud-based text-to-speech voices require an active connection to authenticate your Microsoft 365 subscription.

Solution 1Recommended

Report the Service Issue via Microsoft Feedback Portal

When Read Aloud asks you to sign in despite being logged in, it is typically a temporary service outage on Microsoft's end. Reporting it helps expedite a fix.

Since standard troubleshooting steps like restarting your device or signing out and back into your account do not bypass this server-side error, the most effective action is to notify the Microsoft development team directly.

Access the Portal

Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Feedback Portal at feedbackportal.microsoft.com.

Log In

Search and Submit

Search for 'Read Aloud sign in' to see if others have recently reported this outage and upvote their feedback. If no recent reports exist, click 'Submit new feedback' to describe your issue.

Wait for Service Restoration: Server-side authentication issues for voices are usually resolved by Microsoft within a few hours to a day. You do not need to reinstall Office.

Solution 2

Send a Problem Report Directly Within the App

Use the in-app feedback tool to send a diagnostic report directly from the affected Microsoft Office application.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office for Seamless Reading and Editing

If Microsoft 365 services are temporarily down and you need to review your documents immediately, WPS Office provides a lightweight, highly compatible alternative. It offers excellent document reading modes and full compatibility with Microsoft Office formats, allowing you to continue your work without interruption.

1. Download and Install: Visit the official WPS website to download and install the free WPS Office suite on your device.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing Microsoft Word (.docx) document.
3. Use Reading Tools: Navigate to the View tab to utilize eye-protection mode or reading layout for a better document review experience.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx).Features built-in reading modes to help you review documents comfortably.Completely free and lightweight, requiring minimal system resources to run smoothly.Offers a familiar user interface, ensuring a seamless migration from Microsoft Office.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Read Aloud say I need to sign in when I am already logged in?

This error is almost always caused by a temporary backend service outage on Microsoft's servers. The application fails to authenticate your account with the cloud service that provides the text-to-speech voices, resulting in a false 'sign in' prompt.

Will reinstalling Microsoft Office fix the Read Aloud error?

Usually, no. Because the voice authentication error is tied to a cloud service problem rather than a local file corruption, reinstalling the software or restarting your device typically will not resolve the issue. You must wait for Microsoft to restore the service.

Are there other ways to read my Word documents aloud?

Yes. While waiting for Microsoft to fix the Read Aloud feature, you can use built-in operating system accessibility tools like Windows Narrator or macOS VoiceOver, or you can open the document in alternative office suites like WPS Office.

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