Narrator is a screen reader that reads text aloud on your Windows computer

Narrator is built into Windows and speaks everything on your screen — menu items, buttons, text in documents, error messages. It was designed for people with vision loss, but it can turn on accidentally, especially if you press Windows key + Enter (the keyboard shortcut) without meaning to. If Narrator is running and you want it off, you can close it in seconds.

The fastest way is to press Windows key + Enter again — the same shortcut toggles it on and off. If that does not work, or if you want to turn it off through the settings menu instead, the steps below will get you there.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Windows key + Enter to toggle Narrator on and off when ready.
  • If the keyboard shortcut does not work, open Settings, go to Accessibility, then Vision, and switch Narrator off.
  • Narrator can also be closed from the taskbar by right-clicking the Narrator icon and selecting Close.
  • Disabling the keyboard shortcut in Narrator settings prevents accidental set up in the future.

Using the keyboard shortcut to close Narrator

The quickest way to close Narrator is the same way it usually opens by accident. Press and hold the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo, usually between Ctrl and Alt on the left side of your keyboard), then press Enter. Release both keys. Narrator will stop speaking and close.

This works on Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are not sure whether Narrator is actually running, press the shortcut anyway — if nothing happens, Narrator was already off. If it starts speaking, press the shortcut again to turn it off.

Closing Narrator through Settings

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, or if you prefer to use the menu, you can turn off Narrator in the Settings app. Click the Start button (Windows logo in the bottom left corner), then type Settings and press Enter. The Settings window will open.

Once Settings is open, click Accessibility on the left side. Then click Vision in the menu that appears. You will see a toggle switch next to Narrator at the top of the page. Click the toggle to turn it off. Narrator will close when ready.

Closing Narrator from the taskbar

If Narrator is running, you may see a Narrator icon in your taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen where your open programs appear. The icon looks like a person's head in profile. Right-click on this icon and select Close from the menu that appears.

This method works if the icon is visible, but it is slower than using the keyboard shortcut. The keyboard shortcut is usually the fastest option.

Preventing Narrator from turning on by accident

If Narrator keeps turning on when you do not mean it to, you can disable the keyboard shortcut. Open Narrator by pressing Windows key + Enter, then press Windows key + N to open the Narrator settings menu. Look for the option that says Keyboard shortcut or Startup shortcut and toggle it off.

You can also prevent Narrator from starting when you turn on your computer. In the Narrator settings menu, look for Startup and make sure it is set to Off. This way, Narrator will only run if you open it manually through Settings or by searching for it in the Start menu.

What to do if Narrator will not close

In rare cases, Narrator may not respond to the keyboard shortcut or the Settings toggle. If this happens, try restarting your computer. Press the Start button, click the power icon, and select Restart. When your computer starts back up, Narrator should be off.

If Narrator is still running after a restart, or if it keeps turning on by itself, you may have a keyboard key that is stuck. Check that the Windows key and Enter key are not physically pressed down or jammed. If a key is stuck, gently press and release it several times to unstick it.

Understanding why Narrator exists and when you might want it on

Narrator is part of Windows accessibility features, which are tools designed to help people use their computer in different ways. For people who are blind or have low vision, Narrator makes the computer usable by reading text aloud. For most other users, it is not needed and can be distracting if it turns on by accident.

You do not need to uninstall Narrator or remove it from your computer — it is safe to leave it there. straightforward keeping it off (which is the default) means it will not interfere with your normal use. If someone else uses your computer and needs a screen reader, they can turn it on using the same methods described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Narrator keep turning on when I restart my computer?

Narrator is set to start automatically. Open Settings, go to Accessibility > Vision > Narrator, and look for a Startup option. Make sure it is set to Off. This prevents Narrator from running when you turn on your computer.

Can I uninstall Narrator completely?

Narrator is built into Windows and cannot be uninstalled. However, you do not need to remove it — straightforward leaving it off has no impact on your computer's performance or security. It only runs when you turn it on.

What if I need Narrator but do not know how to turn it back on?

Press Windows key + Enter to turn Narrator on. You can also open Settings, go to Accessibility > Vision > Narrator, and toggle it on. Once Narrator is running, it will read your screen aloud and guide you through using your computer.

Does closing Narrator affect my computer's security?

No. Narrator is an accessibility tool and has no connection to your security or privacy settings. Turning it off or on does not change how protected your computer is.

Can I customize what Narrator reads?

Yes. When Narrator is running, press Windows key + N to open Narrator settings. You can adjust the voice speed, pitch, and volume, and choose which types of text Narrator reads aloud. These settings stay saved even when you close Narrator.