Category: Tech news and tips

Update: Note that NVDA Remote Support add-on version 2.3, for NVDA 2019.3 is now live. Go to nvdaremote.com to download it.

With the new release of NVDA, which is NVDA 2019.3, the core of this screen was migrated from Python 2 up to Python 3. Well, that’s great, but some NVDA add-on are not ready yet to be used with this version. When updating, you’ll be prompted to check the compatibility of all your add-on, and you may observe that some aren’t.

What you can do? First check if you’re running the latest version of each add-on you’re using. You can simplify this by downloading and installing Add-on Updater. Once done, please go into the tools menu and click search for add-on updates.

Note that if you’re using NVDA Remote Support add-on, there is currently no public compatible versions with NVDA 2019.3.

If you’re unable to update an essential add-on of if you’re relying on Remote to get assistance, wait before updating. You can still use NVDA 2019.2.1 without any issues.

If you’ve already updated your copy of NVDA to 2019.3 and need to use remote, note that you can use JAWS Tandem in replacement. If some other add-on stopped working, note that JAWS natively provides a lot of functions covered in NVDA add-ons.

You can always contact us to get a free quote if you need help with NVDA or want a private training.

UPDATE: A new version of the add-on was released (v2.2) and it is now working with NVDA 2018.3, 2018.3.1 and 2018.3.2. You can download it from here. Note that it is better to update the add-on first before updating NVDA.

On September 18th, 2018, NVDA 2018.3 was released to the public and on September 20th, NVDA 2018.3.1 was. For some users, it might be better to avoid these updates for now. In this article, I will tell you why you should avoid updating to NVDA 2018.3 or 2018.3.1. I will also tell you how you can downgrade your NVDA version back to 2018.2.1.

Why should you avoid the NVDA 2018.3 or 2018.3.1 updates?

The current version of NVDA is 2018.3.1. They released it shortly after releasing version 2018.3. The programming language in use to code NVDA is called “Python”. In this version, it has been updated. Before version 2018.3, NVDA was made in Python 3. In 2018.3 and above, they updated the programming language to wxPython 4. It basically means that the creators of NVDA addons will have to update the compatibility of their addons for them to continue working. If the addons are not updated, they may stop working. That’s what’s happening with the NVDA Remote Access addon. The authors didn’t push an updated version of the addon. NVDA Remote allows you to take control of another computer using NVDA. So, as you might have guessed, the latest public release of Remote doesn’t work after updating to NVDA 2018.3 or 2018.3.1.

How to make Remote working again?

There are 2 ways to fixe the issue about NVDA Remote. The addon hasn’t been officially updated yet. However, the required files to make it work again are available on the Internet. The first way is to download these files and manually copy them in the right directory. I’ll not cover this part with you because it requires technical knowledges but if you want to do so by yourself, see the GitHub repository.

If you don’t want to update NVDA remote manually, you will need to uninstall NVDA 2018.3 or 2018.3.1 and reinstall NVDA 2018.2.1. Here’s how to do that.

Note: You will need to use another screen reader than NVDA to do that. Before beginning this procedure, please make sure that your copy of NVDA is not running. Please also make sure to have the NVDA 2018.2.1’s installation file. You can download NVDA 2018.2.1 here.

1. Go to the control panel. Once you’re in, press the letter P until you hear Programs and features. Press Enter on it.
2. Once you’re in your programs list, press N until you hear NVDA. Press the Applications key on your keyboard and down arrow until you hear the uninstall option. Press Enter on it.
   Note: If you don’t have an applications key on your keyboard, you can press shift+f10 and it will do the exact same thing.
3. Follow the uninstall procedure. If you’re asked to reboot your computer, reboot it.
   Note: If NVDA was set on boot when your computer starts, you won’t have any screen reader when your computer restarts. In this case, press Control+Windows+Enter to turn on Narrator.
4. Once your computer is restarted, press Windows+E to go inside of the Windows file explorer.
5. Assuming that the NVDA 2018.2.1 installation file is in your Downloads folder, press D until you hear Downloads and press Enter on it.
6. Locate the installation file and press Enter on it. Follow the install procedure.
   Note: Once NVDA is installed, you will have to set it on boot when your computer starts again if that’s what you want.
7. That’s done! Now, NVDA remote should work as it did in the past. I would also suggest you to turn off the automatic check for updates feature. This can be done in the General settings of NVDA. To access these settings, press the NVDA key (which is normally the Insert key) + CTRL + G.

JAWS Tandem

If ou can't reinstall NVDA or if you don't know how to update the remote add-on, you can also use JAWS Tandem to remote in a computer. However, the thing with Tandem is that each time you'll have to start a remote session, you'll have to generate a new code and enter it manually on the computer you need to remote in.

Conclusion

After using one of the methods mentioned above, Remote addon should now works correctly. Let’s hope that the authors of the addon bring an updated version shortly.