'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Fix Word Mobile Read Aloud Voice Changed Suddenly
Question details
The user wants to restore or change the Read Aloud voice in Microsoft Word Mobile after an unexpected change, but cannot find the option.
- Product
- Microsoft Word Mobile
- Device & OS
- Android
- Scenario
- Listening to documents using the Read Aloud text-to-speech feature on an Android mobile device.
- Observed behavior
- The Read Aloud voice changed suddenly after an app or service update, and there is no visible setting within the Word app to switch back to the previous voice.
Ensure your Microsoft Word app and Android operating system are updated to the latest versions. Also, verify that your device media volume is turned up so you can clearly hear the text-to-speech voice samples during configuration.
Adjust Android Device Text-to-Speech Settings
Since Word Mobile sometimes defaults to the system's text-to-speech (TTS) engine, altering your Android system voice settings may help you find a preferable voice.
Microsoft Word often relies on the Android platform's default TTS services. By changing the system-level voice engine or downloading new voice packs, you might be able to override the new default voice.
Launch the 'Settings' app on your Android device and scroll down to select 'System' or 'General Management'.
Tap on 'Language and input', then select 'Text-to-speech output'. Alternatively, you can search for 'TTS' directly in the settings search bar.
Tap on 'Preferred engine' (such as Speech Services by Google or Samsung Text-to-speech) and tap the gear icon next to it.
Install voice data for your language and choose a different voice variant (e.g., switching from male to female). Open Word Mobile again to see if the voice has updated.
Submit Direct Feedback for More Voice Controls
If the app does not allow voice selection, submitting direct feedback lets Microsoft know that users want the old voice back or need manual voice toggles.
Try WPS Office for a Better Mobile Reading Experience
If you are frustrated with the limited controls in Microsoft Word Mobile, switch to WPS Office. It is a highly compatible, free, and lightweight alternative that offers excellent document viewing and audio reading features right on your Android device.
- 1. Download from Play Store: Go to the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for 'WPS Office'.
- 2. Install and Open: Tap 'Install' to download the app for free. Once installed, open WPS Office.
- 3. Use Audio Reading: Open your Word document in WPS Office, tap the 'Tools' menu, and select the 'Audio Reading' feature to listen to your text comfortably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my Word mobile Read Aloud voice change automatically?
The voice typically changes due to a background update to the Microsoft Word app, an update to your Android device's Text-to-Speech services, or a server-side change by Microsoft introducing new beta voice features.
Can I revert to an older version of Word to get the old voice back?
While you can technically uninstall updates or sideload an older APK version on Android, it is not recommended as you will lose important security patches. Additionally, if the voice change was a server-side cloud update, older versions of the app may still use the new voice.
Where are the voice options located inside the Word app?
Currently, the Word app on Android does not have dedicated, extensive in-app voice selection settings for the Read Aloud feature. It usually defaults to a standard internal voice or relies entirely on your device's default Text-to-Speech engine.
Does WPS Office have a text-to-speech or read aloud feature?
Yes, WPS Office offers an Audio Reading feature for documents, providing a seamless way to listen to your text on the go. You can easily access this from the 'Tools' menu while viewing any document on your mobile device.
