the read aloud voice changed overnight. how do I get the old voice back?

Anonymous
2025-03-08T00:53:31+00:00

The read-aloud voice used to be a very smooth speaking female voice and overnight it changed to a robotic voice. When I go into the settings it says I have to be signed in to change the voice. I am signed in. I tried signing out and resigning in deleting the app and reinstalling but it still says the same thing. I am using an Android with the mobile app. I was originally using just the word doc connected to my OneDrive I've even tried the Microsoft 365 app still same results. How do I get the old voice back?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | Other | Android

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

62 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Charles Kenyon 170.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-03-10T02:37:32+00:00

    I think it's time we realized that Microsoft has broken this, and that until someone at Microsoft decides to fix it, there is no cure. I've decided to stop wasting my time looking for answers.

    @David,

    You are correct that Microsoft has broken this. Use feedback fuels them fixing it.

    See my response in **** this thread. It has links to the public feedback portal and some of the feedback already posted. You can post your own. You can comment on the other postings and vote for them.

    Be the squeaky wheel.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Charles Kenyon 170.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-03-09T22:15:06+00:00

    "> Hello, MS:

    I want to say whoever made the choice of substituting the robotic "read aloud" voices with those from the early 1990s ought to know this: I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS ****. Bring back Sarah today!

    Please see my previous post (just before yours). No one at Microsoft is seeing what you post here.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2025-03-09T22:11:43+00:00

    Hello, MS:

    I want to say whoever made the choice of substituting the smooth "read aloud" voices for the robotic "read aloud" voices from the early 1990s ought to know this: I WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS ****. Bring back Sarah today! You have the computational power and we users have already paid for the excellent 'read aloud' voices.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Charles Kenyon 170.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2025-03-09T21:00:18+00:00

    It is apparently a bug that is for all devices.

    Writing here does not bring it to the attention of anyone who can do anything about it. You are addressing your fellow users here. Microsoft is aware of the problem, though.

    I recommend using the Public Feedback Portal. https://feedbackportal.microsoft.com/feedback/forum/fb6d67e3-301c-ec11-b6e7-0022481f8472

    Then, once your feedback is posted, copy the URL and then come back here and post it so that others can comment and vote.

    Be the squeaky wheel. Keep pressure on.

    For more on this using feedback, see my article: This is a user-to-user support forum. -- You can give feedback TO MICROSOFT designers and decision makers on Microsoft Word or other Microsoft Products using their feedback mechanisms, (not here). (This is a link to directions.)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2025-03-09T19:42:11+00:00

    I have the same issues. I checked everything, and it still does not work on my iPhone or laptop. Very annoying.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments