How to Change Narrator Audio Output in Windows 11
Narrator audio routing in Windows 11 lets you send screen reader sounds to a specific headset or speaker instead of your main system speakers. Narrator is the built-in screen reader. It reads text and describes items on your screen out loud.
Open Settings Accessibility Narrator, scroll to Narrator’s voice, click Narrator audio output device, and select your headset or speakers from the list. Narrator will then play through that device instead of your default speakers.
You can change this setting in Windows 11 Build 22000 or newer. It is useful if you want to keep Narrator private in a headset while music or video plays on the speakers. It also helps if you hear Narrator better on external gear. The steps are the same on Home and Pro, and you do not need to restart the PC.
- Turn keyboard shortcuts on or off
- Make Narrator start automatically
- Change voice, speed, and volume
- Add or remove natural voices
- Lower other app volumes while Narrator speaks
The same Narrator settings page also lets you adjust speaking speed, install natural voices, and configure keyboard shortcuts. Having more than one sound device connected gives you more control over how accessibility tools behave on different hardware. Before you start, connect or pair the headset or speaker you want to use and make sure it is switched on. Windows can only list devices it can see.
How to Change Narrator’s Audio Output Device in 🪟 Windows 11
Follow these steps to open the Narrator settings and pick a new output device.
Step 1Open Windows Settings
- Click the Start button (the Windows icon at the bottom left of the taskbar ), then click Settings.
- Or press Win+I together to open Settings straight away. Use whichever you prefer. You should see the Settings window open.
Step 2Go to Accessibility
- In the Settings window, click Accessibility in the list on the left side. The accessibility options appear on the right.
Step 3Open Narrator Settings
- On the right side, scroll down to the vision options and click Narrator. The full path is Settings Accessibility Narrator You should now see the Narrator page, with the switch that turns Narrator on and off at the top.
You can set the output device first and turn Narrator on afterwards.
Step 4Choose the Audio Output Device
- Scroll down to the section called “Narrator’s voice”.
- Click Narrator audio output device. A list opens.
- Look through the list of sound devices connected to your PC, such as speakers or headphones. Click the one you want Narrator to use.
- If you choose Default audio device, Narrator uses whichever device Windows is currently set to play sound through. This is the choice to make if you want Narrator to follow your main output.
To change Narrator audio output in Windows 11, scroll down to the Narrator’s voice section in your settings and select your preferred speakers or headphones from the list. Windows lets you route your screen reader to a separate sound device. That way you can hear it clearly without interrupting your main media or system sounds.
Your chosen audio device will now handle all Narrator speech. To test it, turn Narrator on and move around the Settings window. You should hear it read each item on the device you picked.
For a Bluetooth headset, confirm it shows as connected in Settings Bluetooth & devices Then close and reopen the Narrator page so the list refreshes. If Narrator goes quiet later, the device may have been unplugged or disconnected. Reconnect it, or come back to this setting and check which device is selected.
To undo the change, return to the same list and select Default audio device.
Summary
In short, the Narrator audio output setting controls where the synthesized voice is heard in Windows 11. It sends the sound to your headphones or speakers of choice, and you can change it back at any time.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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