Cannot add additional voices for system narrator

Question

Windows11 will not install any narrator voices except the 3 default US voices. I go through the steps to add languages and it 'downloads' and then after closing and re-starting settings I am back to the only the three choices. There are no error messages.

Answer 1

If you're having trouble adding additional voices for the Narrator in Windows 11, ensure that you are following the correct steps to download and install the voices. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check Internet Connection: Make sure your device is connected to the internet, as additional voices are downloaded from Windows Update.
2. Add More Voices: Go to Narrator Settings and select the "Add more voices" link. This should allow you to choose and download additional voices.
3. Language Settings: Ensure that the languages you want to add are supported and correctly set up in the Language settings. You can add languages by going to Settings > Time & language > Language.
4. Reboot the Device: Sometimes, a simple restart can help in applying the changes.
5. Check for Updates: Make sure your Windows 11 is up to date, as updates may include fixes for issues related to Narrator and voice downloads.

If you continue to experience issues, it may be beneficial to check the Windows support forums or contact Microsoft support for further assistance.

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References:

• Languages overview
• How to add fonts that are missing after upgrading Windows (windows-11)

Answer 2

Hi @Richard Patton,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Based on your information, the issue you are facing is that you want to expand your Narrator voice options beyond the default three United States voices. Currently, you are observing a behavior where the system initiates the download process for new languages, but the new options do not persist or appear in the selection list after you restart the Settings app. 

This experience is often related to how the Windows Update service indexes "Features on Demand" or a specific configuration within the primary Language Pack settings.

Therefore, in order to help resolve this, please follow the troubleshooting steps below: 

Step 1: Firstly, verify language pack dependencies 

Sometimes a voice package requires the full language pack to be present first. 

1. In Settings > Time & language > Language & region. 
2. Ensure the specific region for the voice you want (e.g., English United Kingdom) is listed under "Preferred languages" 
3. If it is not there, select "Add a language", then choose the region, and ensure the Text-to-speech checkbox is selected during the installation wizard. 

Step 2: Refresh Windows update components 

Because voice packages are delivered via Windows Update, refreshing these services can help the system properly register the new files. 

1. Type cmd in the Windows search bar. 
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator. 
3. Type the following command and press Enter (this checks for system file integrity): sfc /scannow 
4. Once the scan is complete, kindly restart your computer and attempt the voice download again. 

For additional details, you may refer to this official Microsoft article regarding Narrator setup: Appendix G: Troubleshooting Narrator Natural Voices setup issues 

Please try these steps when you have a moment and update me on the outcome. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. I'm looking forward to your reply.

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