How to turn on or off Narrator scan mode in Windows 11. Narrator scan mode is an accessibility feature in Windows 11 that lets you move through text and screen content using just your keyboard. It's especially helpful for users with low vision or anyone who prefers keyboard navigation. In this video, you'll learn how to turn scan mode on or off in Windows 11. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. How to enable or disable scan mode in Windows Narrator using keyboard shortcuts. There's only one way to turn scan mode on or off in Narrator, using a keyboard shortcut. This is useful when you need to quickly switch scan mode while reading or editing documents, or when adjusting accessibility settings on shared or public computers. To do this, first, make sure Narrator is turned on by pressing Windows key plus Control plus Enter. Then press Caps Lock plus Space Bar to turn scan mode on or off. Narrator will confirm the change by saying, "Scan mode on" or "Scan mode off." Scan off. Scan. Scan off. Scan. You can also test it. When scan mode is on, the arrow keys will read text aloud. Quick start button. Learn the basics of Narrator. When it's off, the arrow keys only move the cursor. Things to look out for. Before trying this method, here are some things you should look out for. Accidental activation or deactivation. Accidentally turning scan mode on or off can cause confusion since navigation keys may not work the way you expect. If this happens, simply press Caps Lock plus Space Bar again and listen for Narrator's confirmation message, either "Scan mode on" or "Scan mode off." Conflict with application-specific behavior. Scan mode can sometimes conflict with how specific applications handle keyboard navigation, which may lead to inconsistent behavior in accessibility apps. If this occurs, you can manually turn scan mode on or off for that application. Narrator remembers these settings, so adjusting it once per app usually resolves the issue. Auto deactivation in text fields. Scan mode may automatically turn off when you're typing in text fields, which can be confusing and may make it seem like a feature isn't working. To fix this, simply move out of the text field and scan mode should turn back on automatically. What is Narrator scan mode? Scan mode is a navigation feature in Microsoft Narrator that makes it easier to read and move through content. It works especially well on webpages, emails, and documents. When scan mode is on, you can use arrow keys and keyboard shortcuts to navigate without needing visual cues. Scan mode improves the Narrator experience for users who prefer keyboard navigation. With a simple keyboard shortcut, administrators and users can turn it on or off to better control how they use their devices. For more information, check out our official blog post on Narrator scan mode linked in the description below.