How do I fix no sound on Google Translate?
The issue of no sound output on Google Translate can be frustrating for users who rely on the text-to-speech function. With Google Translate’s text-to-speech capability, users can have text translated and read aloud in different languages, making it more accessible. However, sometimes after updates or for other reasons, users find that Google Translate has suddenly stopped reading translations aloud. This loss of functionality makes Google Translate less useful for language learners, accessibility needs, or anyone wanting to hear pronounciations. Being able to troubleshoot and fix the no sound issue is important for restoring this key feature.
Verify Sound Works Elsewhere
The first step is to check that your speakers and audio are working properly outside of Google Translate. Try playing music or videos in other applications like Windows Media Player, iTunes, YouTube, etc. If you can hear audio from other sources, then the problem likely lies within Google Translate specifically.
But if there is no sound anywhere on your computer, then your audio drivers or hardware may need troubleshooting. On Windows, open the Control Panel and check the sound settings. Make sure nothing is muted and volumes are turned up. You can also run the audio troubleshooter tool as Microsoft recommends. For Macs, check System Preferences > Sound and confirm nothing is muted.
Testing the audio elsewhere first will help narrow down where the no sound issue originates. If audio works normally outside of Google Translate, move on to checking browser and app settings next.
Check Browser Settings
One of the most common causes of no audio in Google Translate is that audio is disabled in your browser settings. To enable audio, you’ll need to update your browser permissions.
In Chrome, go to Settings > Site Settings > Sound and make sure “Allow” is selected. You can also click “Add” under “Allow” to add specific sites like translate.google.com [1].
In Firefox, type “about:preferences#privacy” in the address bar, then scroll to Permissions > Settings and allow audio for the desired sites [2].
For Safari on iOS, go to Settings > Safari and toggle on “Auto-Play” under Media. On Mac, go to Safari > Preferences > Websites and enable audio and video [3].
Make sure to enable audio globally or specifically for translate.google.com. Once updated, audio should work correctly in Google Translate.
Check Google Translate Settings
One of the first things to check is your settings within the Google Translate app or website. Google Translate allows you to enable or disable sound for text-to-speech translations. Make sure the settings for your Google Translate app or web browser have sound enabled.
On Android, open the Google Translate app and tap the gear icon to access Settings. Under Speech, make sure “Speak output” is turned on. You can also adjust voice and speech rate in the Speech settings (source).
On iPhone/iOS, open the Google Translate app, tap the gear icon, and make sure “Speech output” is enabled under Spoken Translations. Adjust speech rate and pronunciation under Speech Settings (source).
On the Google Translate website, click the settings icon (gear icon) and make sure “Read out loud translation” is turned on under Speech. You can also change the voice here (source).
If sound is already enabled in your Google Translate settings, the issue likely lies elsewhere. But it’s important to double check your settings first before troubleshooting other potential causes.
Try Different Browsers
One solution to fix no sound on Google Translate is to test it using different web browsers. Each browser has its own audio settings and capabilities that may affect Google Translate’s ability to play audio. Testing Google Translate’s audio in browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge can help narrow down if the no sound issue is browser-specific.
For example, some users have reported the audio working properly in Firefox or Safari but not Chrome. Trying a different browser that you don’t normally use for Google Translate may reveal that the no sound problem only occurs in your default browser.
According to reviews on G2, Safari seems to have good compatibility with Google Translate’s audio features. If you primarily use Chrome or Firefox, give Safari a try to see if it resolves the no sound problem.
The browser comparison guide on PCMag can help choose another mainstream browser to test Google Translate with if you don’t already have multiple browsers installed. Focus on browsers that are known to work well for streaming audio and video, as they are more likely to support Google Translate’s audio playback properly.
Update Browser and Plugins
One potential fix is to update your web browser and audio plugins to the latest versions. Outdated browsers and plugins can sometimes cause issues with audio not working properly on websites like Google Translate.
On Chrome, go to the 3-dot menu > Help > About Google Chrome to check if any updates are available. Chrome will automatically download and install the latest updates in the background. You can also try manually triggering updates by going to Settings > About Chrome. Restart the browser after updates install.
Make sure any audio plugins like Flash Player are updated as well. You can check for plugin updates in Chrome at chrome://settings/content/flash. Other browsers like Firefox and Edge have similar options to update plugins.
Updating to the newest browser and plugin versions can often resolve audio issues on sites relying on those technologies for sound. However, if the problem persists after updating, there may be a different cause. See this Google support thread for additional troubleshooting tips.
Try Incognito/Private Mode
One way to isolate the no sound issue in Google Translate is to try using incognito or private browsing mode in your browser. Incognito/private browsing starts your browser session with a clean slate without any extensions, cookies, site data, or logged-in status that could be interfering with sound.
To enable incognito/private mode in Chrome, click the three-dot menu icon in the upper right and select “New incognito window.” In Firefox, click the three-line menu icon in the upper right and choose “New Private Window.” For Safari, select “File” then “New Private Window.”
Once in incognito/private browsing mode, load Google Translate and test if audio works properly without any outside interference. If sound works fine in private mode, it indicates an extension or browser setting is likely causing the no audio issue in regular browsing sessions.
As a reference, see this guide on fixing no sound in Chrome’s incognito mode: https://windowsreport.com/chrome-incognito-no-sound/
Clear Cookies and Cache
One of the most common fixes for no sound in Google Translate is to clear your cookies and browser cache. Over time, accumulated cookies and cached data can cause performance issues like sound not working properly. By removing this temporary data, you can eliminate any corrupted files that may be disrupting audio functionality.
To clear cookies and cache in Chrome, click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner and select “Settings”. Go to the “Privacy and security” section and click on “Clear browsing data”. Make sure cookies and cached images/files are selected before clicking “Clear data”. After clearing this data and restarting your browser, audio should be restored in Google Translate.
Clearing the cookies and cache essentially gives your browser a fresh start, removing any problematic files that could be interfering with sound. This simple fix often resolves no audio issues across various websites and applications, including Google Translate. Just be sure to save any important data before clearing cookies and cache.
Check Extensions/Add-ons
Extensions and add-ons can sometimes interfere with or block audio in Chrome. Try disabling any extensions that are not essential to determine if one might be causing the no audio issue in Google Translate.
To disable extensions in Chrome:
- Click the 3-dot menu button in the top right corner of Chrome.
- Select “More tools” then “Extensions”.
- For each enabled extension, click the toggle switch next to it to disable it.
- Test audio in Google Translate after disabling each extension to see if sound returns.
- If disabling a particular extension brings back sound, that extension was likely causing the issue. You can leave it disabled or try updating it if an update is available.
Some common extension types that may interfere with audio include ad blockers, VPNs, parental controls, and music/video downloaders. Disabling these temporarily can often resolve Chrome audio issues like no sound in Google Translate.
Contact Google Support
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and Google Translate still has no sound, reach out to Google Support for additional help. Google’s support page provides contact options to get in touch with their team by email, chat, or phone. When you contact them, provide details on the issue you’re experiencing, the troubleshooting steps you’ve tried, your device and app version, and any other relevant information. Their support specialists may be able to provide personalized troubleshooting tips or escalate the issue if needed.
It’s a good idea to contact Google Support if you’ve exhausted all other options. Their team is dedicated to helping fix problems with Google Translate so you can use the voice and sound features effectively.