Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Why do windows screen readers become unresponsive inside of an app? (self.Blind)
submitted by blind_system
I've been using windows on and off, and the thing that has always seriously annoyed me is the tendency for the screen reader to stop responding. I could be opening an app, or browsing the web, and speech stops without warning. It also happens with dialogs.
I'm probably doing something wrong. or is this how it works?
I'm probably doing something wrong. or is this how it works?
AndAdapt 2 points 2y ago
This happens to me every single day on windows. That and the latency of the tts starting is frustrating
KristyLynn7 2 points 2y ago
I thought I was the only one who when using Windows that happens to. Where the screen reader just stops talking for reasons I have no idea of while I'm just browsing a website or just some basic task on the computer. Never used NVDA only Jaws.
blind_system [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Tends to happen for me if I have several apps open in the background.
Laser_Lens_4 1 points 2y ago
No issues for me. Ive had Macs more often give me the "busy" response rather than Windows screen readers lock up. I've noticed that windows screen readers tend to like higher end CPUs and more RAM though.
KristyLynn7 1 points 2y ago
I don't understand why a screen reader for Windows just stops speaking/responding. My only option when that happens when no one else is around is to press the power button on my laptop to force shut it down which I hate doing. I think sometimes it might be something relating to Windows updates in the background but wouldn't know because in my case, Jaws stopped talking to tell me what is happening. I could be just browsing a website or sending an email and then suddenly there's no speech. It's terrible, I do not understand. Voiceover on Mac, iPhone/ipad never does that. I thought I was the only one that happens to. Felt silly and hesitant to talk about it because I've never come across anyone else who uses Windows screen readers mention any issues with them where they stop talking and anything they do to try and resolve the issue.
hopesthoughts 1 points 2y ago
No, this is just how it works. Especially if you're like me, and you have 50 FF windows open at once, or more.
blind_system [OP] 3 points 2y ago
Why doesn't this happen on linux or macOS? What are they doing differently. I do notice that VoiceOver seems to have a very small footprint on a Mac. I can say the same for orca on linux.
hopesthoughts 1 points 2y ago
I've never used Linux, as much as I'd like to try. I've also never used a Mac, but I do have an iPhone, and VoiceOver never just crashes there either. If something's going to crash, it's usually something else first.
SqornshellousZ 1 points 2y ago
Memory allocation. Accessability apps double your memory requirements. Freezing occurs when the OS starts using large ammounts of swap space.
CloudyBeep 1 points 2y ago
I think we'll need more information to diagnose this. Which screen reader and apps? For how long is it unresponsive? How do you get it talking again?
blind_system [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I'm using NVDA. It tends to happen when I use something moderately resource intensive, like a game, for example. Also happens if I have several things open.
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