How to Change Narrator Speech Speed in Windows

Introduction / Why This Is Needed

The Narrator screen reader in Windows reads interface elements aloud, assisting users with visual impairments. The default speech speed can be inconvenient—too fast or too slow. In this guide, you'll learn how to quickly adjust Narrator's speech speed to make it more comfortable for listening.

Requirements / Preparation

• You must have Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11 installed.
• Administrator rights are not required to change Narrator settings.
• Ensure Narrator is installed (it's usually included by default). If not, install it via Windows Settings → Apps → Optional features.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Narrator Settings

There are several ways to open Narrator settings:

1. Press the Win + Ctrl + N key combination.
2. Or open Windows Settings ( Win + I ), go to Accessibility → Narrator.
3. If Narrator is already running, press Caps Lock (or Insert in older versions) to open additional commands, then select "Settings".

Step 2: Navigate to Voice Settings

In the Narrator settings window, find the Voice section. Here you can select a voice and adjust its parameters, including speed.

Step 3: Change Speech Speed

In the Speech speed subsection, move the slider:

• To the left — decrease speed (slower).
• To the right — increase speed (faster).

You can hear an example immediately by clicking the Play sample button.

Step 4: Verify the Changes

After adjusting the speed, ensure it suits your needs. You can:

• Click Play sample again.
• Start Narrator (if it's stopped) using Win + Ctrl + Enter and listen to how it reads on-screen text.

Verifying the Result

After configuring the speed, start Narrator (if it's not running) and check how it reads text. The speed should match your expectations. If not, return to the settings and readjust the slider.

Potential Issues

⚠️ No speech speed option?
In some versions of Windows (especially older ones) or when using the basic "Microsoft David" voice, the speed option may be missing. Try selecting a different voice (e.g., "Microsoft Zira" or "Microsoft Mark").

⚠️ Changes not applying?
If the speed doesn't change, try restarting Narrator: turn it off (Win + Ctrl + Enter) and turn it back on. Also, ensure you're modifying settings for the selected voice, not another one.

💡 How to reset settings?
If you want to restore default values, in the voice settings click the Reset to default button.

💡 Speed still too high?
If the slider is already at its minimum but speech is still too fast, try selecting a different voice—different voices can have different base speeds.