How to Fix ChatGPT Read Aloud Not Working, Detailed Guide

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By Jenefey Aaron

2025-04-28 / AI Tips

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The Read Aloud feature in ChatGPT is a great way to listen to responses instead of reading them, perfect if you prefer audio or have learning differences like dyslexia. But sometimes, it may stop working, which can be really annoying.

Don’t worry, though. You might get the ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud not working’ issue for several reasons, depending on whether you’re using iOS, Android, or the web. In this quick guide, we’ll share why it might not be working and give you 7 easy ways to fix it on any device.

Part 1. Why is My ChatGPT Not Reading Aloud?

If Read Aloud is not working on ChatGPT, there could be different reasons depending on the device or app you’re using. Here’s a detailed list of why the Read Aloud feature on ChatGPT might not be functioning:

  • Canvas Feature Issue: If read-aloud isn’t working, it might be because the Canvas feature is being used, and it doesn’t support read-aloud.
  • Browser Problems: Read-aloud may not work well in Firefox due to compatibility issues with the audio format.
  • App Issues: Mobile app users sometimes get errors like “Something went wrong” or “Resource unavailable” when using the read-aloud feature due to app bugs.
  • Text Length Limit: The feature may only work for short texts (under ~23 words), and longer texts might cause errors.
  • Temporary Bugs: Sometimes it’s just a glitch that affects the read-aloud feature’s functionality.

Specific Problems on Different Platforms

You might face the ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud not working’ on iPhone, Android, or the web. Users all over the world have complained that this issue was caused by specific reasons on different platforms:

  • iOS: Some users lost the speech-to-text feature after an update, but it came back with a new update.
  • Android: Text-to-speech isn’t working for some Android users due to a recent bug.
  • Web Browser: Voice-to-text isn’t available on the web version.

Part 2. How to Fix ChatGPT Read Aloud Not Working? Top 7 Fixes!

Here’s how to resolve the ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud not working anymore’ issue with 7 methods on different platforms. Try them out to resolve the issue:

Fix 1. Using Images for Text-to-Speech

Using images for text-to-speech (TTS) can be a smart workaround when the ChatGPT Read Aloud feature isn’t functioning. It helps bypass software issues or bugs, letting you still hear the content. Here’s how you can employ images for text-to-speech:

  • Capture the text you want by taking its clear screenshot. Then, use an app that can turn images into speech. Some good options are:
    • Google Keep: Upload the image, and it will pull out the text for you to read or hear.
    • Microsoft OneNote: Functions like Google Keep by extracting text from images and can read it aloud.
    • TTS Apps: Apps like Voice Dream Reader or Speech Central are made for reading text from images out loud.
    use images for text to speech

Fix 2. Creating Custom Tools

Building your own custom text-to-speech tools can be a helpful way to deal with ChatGPT's Read Aloud feature problems. Custom tools can offer a more reliable option. You can also personalize these tools to fit your needs and add extra features, like better text-to-speech or support for longer text. Here’s how to build your own custom text-to-speech tool:

  • Decide what you want your TTS tool to do (e.g., natural voice, multiple languages, voice settings like pitch/speed).
  • Choose where your tool will run:
    • Web (HTML, CSS, JavaScript).
    • Mobile (iOS with Swift, Android with Kotlin).
  • Use a service to handle speech:
    • Google Text-to-Speech.
    • Amazon Polly.
    • Microsoft Azure TTS.
  • Create a user-friendly design where you can:
    • Type or upload text.
    • Pick voice settings.
    • Control playback (play, pause, stop).
  • Try out the tool, fix bugs, and ask users for feedback. You can also put your tool online (web server) or on app stores (App Store/Google Play).
creating custom tools

Fix 3. Clear Cache and Data

If the ChatGPT Read Aloud feature isn’t working, clearing the app’s cache and data might help. It can fix bugs caused by old or conflicting files, free up space on your device, and reset the app to its default settings. Follow the steps below to clear cache and data on different platforms:

On iOS:

On iOS, you can’t clear the cache directly. Instead, delete the ChatGPT app and reinstall it from the “App Store” to reset the app and clear cached data.

On Android:

  • Open “Settings.” Then, head to “Apps” or “App Manager.”
  • creating custom tools
  • Find and tap on “ChatGPT” in the list.
  • Click “Storage.” Then, choose “Clear cache.”
  • Tap “Clear data” to reset the ChatGPT app (this may log you out and erase settings).
  • clear data on android

On the Web:

  • Open your browser’s settings and head to the menu.
  • Find “Privacy” or “Security” options. Then, select “Clear Browsing Data,” including cached images and files.
  • clear data on web
  • Reload ChatGPT to check if the Read Aloud feature works.

Fix 4. Reinstall the App

If clearing the cache and data doesn’t fix the ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud not working’ issue, reinstall the ChatGPT app. It replaces any corrupted files, ascertains you have the latest version, and resets app permissions (like the microphone or audio). Reinstalling ChatGPT also clears any temporary bugs or glitches that might be blocking the feature. Follow the steps below to reinstall it on Android and iOS:

On Android:

  • Head to “Settings.” Then, choose “Apps.”
  • Tap “ChatGPT.” Next, click “Uninstall.”
  • reinstall chatgpt on android
  • Reinstall ChatGPT from the “Google Play Store. Open the app. Make sure to allow microphone and audio access if asked.

On iOS:

  • Press and hold the “ChatGPT” icon. Then, tap the minus sign.
  • reinstall chatgpt on ios
  • Next, choose “Delete App.” Afterward, reinstall ChatGPT from the “App Store.”
  • delete app chatgpt
  • Open the app. Head to “Settings.” Next, tap “ChatGPT.” Then, click “Microphone. Make sure it’s switched on.

Fix 5. Check Internet Connection

When reinstalling ChatGPT doesn’t seem to fix the Read Aloud not functioning issue, examine your internet connection. Your WiFi connection might be unstable or poor, you might be using a VPN, or there’s some issue with your router. To check all these, follow the steps below:

  • Visit “fast.com” or “speedtest.net.” If it’s under 5 Mbps, try a different network.
  • Then, unplug the router for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
  • Use mobile data (4G/5G) if Wi-Fi is weak. Make sure you have a strong signal.
  • Some VPNs slow down or block access. Disable them for now.

Fix 6. Rewrite Your Last Input Without Using the Canvas Feature

If still ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud is not working’ on iPhone or another device, rewrite your last message without using Canvas or heavy formatting. This is because plain text is easier for the text-to-speech engine to process. Rich formatting like code blocks, tables, or special characters can confuse it or cause hidden errors. Here’s what to do:

  • Rewrite your last message without using the canvas feature.
  • You can also long-press the original message. Then, tap “Edit Message.”
  • Next, add “DO NOT USE THE CANVAS FEATURE.”

Fix 7. Disable Browser Extensions

Browser extensions can sometimes block the Read Aloud feature in ChatGPT. Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger might mistake the audio for ads or tracking and block it. Others, like Tampermonkey or Dark Reader, change how web pages operate and can interfere with the audio. If too many extensions are active, they can also conflict with each other and stop the feature from working properly. However, you can disable browser extensions to fix the Read Aloud feature. To do so:

On Chrome/Edge:

  • Click the puzzle icon in the top-right corner to open extensions. Turn off ad blockers, privacy tools, or script changers.
  • delete app chatgpt
  • You can also disable all extensions and try ChatGPT again. Refresh the page with Ctrl + F5 for a full reload.

Bonus Tip: Easily Fix ChatGPT Not Working on Your iPhone in 2025

If the issue is not in the ChatGPT app, your internet connection, or cache data, it could be in your operating system. Any bugs or file system errors can cause the Read Aloud feature in ChatGPT to not function. If you’re using an iPhone, you can fix this problem with the help of an iOS repair tool like Tenorshare ReiBoot. In fact, it can fix 150+ issues in iOS without data loss. Here are this tool’s key features:

  • This software can repair iOS devices stuck in a boot loop, and update/blue/black screen.
  • This app can repair common iTunes errors and factory reset iOS devices.
  • This tool allows users to enter/exit Recovery Mode in a single click.
  • You can erase your iDevice permanently before gifting it or selling it away.
  • You can upgrade/downgrade iOS, including Betas, as per your needs.

Here’s how to repair the Read Aloud not functioning on ChatGPT issue with ReiBoot:

  • Connect your iPhone to your computer for access. Then, execute ReiBoot on the same PC. Trust your iPhone once it’s detected by the tool. Afterward, hit “Start Repair” on ReiBoot.
  • start repair
  • Choose “Standard Repair.” Next, tap “Download” to get the latest firmware on your computer.
  • standard repair
  • Click “Standard Repair” again. Your iPhone will reboot. Once it does, check whether Read Aloud in ChatGPT is functioning normally again.
  • reiboot repair done

Conclusion

The ‘ChatGPT Read Aloud not working’ issue can happen due to issues like browser problems, app bugs, text length limits, or temporary glitches on iOS, Android, or web platforms. We’ve listed 7 simple fixes to try on any device in this post.

But if you’re an iPhone user and the problem continues, it might be a deeper system issue. In that case, a tool like Tenorshare ReiBoot could help fix the Read Aloud not functioning malfunction. It can also repair 150+ iOS problems without losing data.

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