How to Use Text-To-Speech on Amazon Kindle

Kindle is a great device for reading your favorite stories as e-books. It lets you use a Dictionary while saving your reading progress. But if you want, your Kindle can also read to you while you are driving or finishing up some tasks.

Your Kindle model has a text-to-speech feature called VoiceView Screen Reader that converts your e-books into audiobooks. In this post, we will share a complete guide on how to get your Kindle read to you by enabling text-to-speech.

Enable Text-To-Speech on Kindle

The VoiceView Screen Reader is an accessibility feature that lets you listen to Kindle books over Bluetooth. This feature is available for all Kindle models that support Bluetooth. This is especially helpful for those who have weaker eyesight as text-to-speech guides you through every step of using the Kindle device.

Here’s how to enable it.

Step 1: On your Kindle home screen, tap the three vertical dots at the top-right corner and select Settings.

Step 2: Tap on Accessibility.

Step 3: Select VoiceView Screen Reader.

Step 4: Tap the toggle next to VoiceView Screen Reader to enable it.

Step 5: Keep your Bluetooth device in Pairing Mode while your Kindle device tries to connect with it.

Step 6: After your Kindle detects the Bluetooth device, hold two fingers on your Kindle screen to finish the pairing process.

After you pair your Bluetooth device, you will hear an audio response while navigating your Kindle. You will have to first select and then double-tap to use the feature or option.

Step 7: Go back and open the book you are currently reading to use the text-to-speech feature.

After you open your book, the feature will start working automatically.

Change Volume and Speech Rate for VoiceView Screen Reader

Besides the volume levels, you can also adjust the speech rate on Kindle. You can increase or decrease the volume and speech rate of text-to-speech functionality. Here’s how.

Step 1: On your Kindle home screen, tap the three vertical dots at the top-right corner and select Settings.

Step 2: Tap on Accessibility.

Step 3: Select VoiceView Screen Reader.

Step 4: Tap on Speech Rate.

Step 5: Select the reading speed of your choice.

Step 6: Go back and tap on Volume.

Step 7: Select the text-to-speech volume level of your choice to make your Kindle read aloud.

To disconnect your Bluetooth device or connect to a previously added device, tap on Bluetooth Devices.

You can tap the toggle next to the VoiceView Screen Reader again and select Turn Off to disable it.

Best Fixes for Kindle Text-To-Speech Not Working or Keeps Stopping

If you are unable to use the VoiceView Screen Reader feature on your Kindle, here are some working solutions to fix the same. Note that this applies to all Kindle models supporting Bluetooth devices.

1. Reconnect Bluetooth Device

You can try reconnecting your Bluetooth audio device with your Kindle if the text-to-speech feature is not working. Here’s how.

Step 1: On the Kindle homepage, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.

Step 2: Tap on Accessibility.

Step 3: Select VoiceView Screen Reader.

Step 4: Tap on Bluetooth Devices.

Step 5: Select Bluetooth Wizard to disconnect your Kindle from all Bluetooth devices.

Step 6: Reconnect your Kindle with your Bluetooth device and check if the problem is solved.

2. Charge Your Kindle Device

Another reason why the VoiceView Screen Reader is not working might be the low battery levels on your Kindle. So we suggest putting it on charge and checking back later if the problem gets solved. Refer to our post if your Kindle is not charging.

3. Update Your Kindle

You might have to install a new Kindle software update if the problem continues to exist. Here’s how to check for a new software update.

Step 1: Tap the down arrow at the top of the Kindle screen to reveal more options.

Step 2: Select All Settings.

Step 3: Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Update Your Kindle.

If the option is greyed out, it means that your Kindle is already running on the latest software version.

4. Reset Kindle

The last option is to just reset your Kindle model. This will remove all your preferences, downloads, and your Amazon account details. You will have to log in again to your account and download all your books again.

Step 1: Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the Kindle home screen and select Settings.

Step 2: Select Device Options.

Step 3: Tap on Reset.

Step 4: Tap on Yes to confirm and finish the reset process.

Listen to Your Kindle Books

You can use the VoiceView Screen Reader to get your Kindle to read out text to you. The only downside of getting your Kindle to read out text is that you can’t easily highlight a few important things. If that’s a priority for you, you can ensure to fix when Kindle is not allowing you to save your highlights while reading ebooks.