How to Turn Off Text to Speech on Xbox?

The Xbox series is one of the most sought-after consoles on the market. While the debate on whether it is better than a PlayStation will never end, if you are a fan of titles like Halo, Forza Horizon, or Gears of War, the choice is a no-brainer.

That said, what sets the Xbox apart is the accessibility options it offers to make it possible for anyone with Dyslexia, ADHD, or visual impairments to enjoy all of its titles to the fullest. While this feature can be handy for players, some may find it distracting and would want to turn it off.

If you fall into this category, this blog is for you. It will give you a step-by-step guide on how to switch off text to speech on Xbox without affecting other accessibility settings.

What Is Xbox’s Text To Speech Feature?

As the name suggests, this technology reads aloud any visible text on the screen, including menu items, in-game chat transcription, and notifications.

Officially known as the Narrator within the Xbox ecosystem, this feature is especially useful for party chat transcription, where it reads aloud messages in the party chat, allowing you to concentrate on the gameplay in the heat of the battle.

However, the constant narration of menu options and party chat can be distracting for some gamers. If you prefer to turn off text-to-speech on Xbox without affecting other accessibility features, such as customizing button mapping and high contrast, here's how to do it.  

How to Turn Off Text to Speech feature on Xbox?

There are two possible ways to disable the text to speech feature on your Xbox, and it depends on your setup: whether you are using an Xbox controller or a keyboard.

If you are using an Xbox Controller

• Press and hold the Xbox button on your controller until it vibrates.
• Then, press the Menu button to toggle the Narrator off.
• To turn it back on, repeat the same steps.

Alternatively, you can also access the settings through the Xbox guide:

• Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
• Navigate to Profile & system, then select Settings.

• From the Settings menu, go to Accessibility.

• Once there, select Narrator to turn it off.

If you are Using a Keyboard

If you're using a keyboard with your Xbox console:

1. Press the Windows logo key + Ctrl + Enter simultaneously to toggle the text to speech off.
2. Press the same combination to turn it back on if needed.

You can also set up an alert to receive notifications if the text to speech option is enabled. Under the same section, find the option "Warn me when turning Narrator on" and turn it on.

Note: The steps to turn off text to speech on Xbox are the same no matter which of the Xbox series X console you are on.

How to Customize Xbox for a Personalized Experience?

The Xbox Series X includes several other options designed to ensure that every person can customize their gaming experience just the way they want it. The speech to text option converts anything spoken in the party chat to text so that you don't get distracted by the conversations going on there.

If you have visual impairments, you have a high-contrast mode and the option to use color filters to help you distinguish text and colors on the screen so that you can enjoy your favorite games to the fullest.

Xbox allows you to remap buttons for customized gaming with better accessibility. This can be done via the Accessories App, a tool specifically designed for managing Xbox controllers. The console even supports multiple languages, so you can select the one you're most comfortable with for in-game menus and app settings. 

These accessibility features make your games more enjoyable by enhancing your gaming experience and making interactions with other players a breeze.

If you are still curious about text to speech technology and want to explore its capabilities outside the Xbox ecosystem, try Murf. Murf offers the very latest in TTS technology, which you can use to create voice-overs in other aspects of gaming, such as game tutorials, level walk-throughs, and more.