I have had that same experience with readers. I’m reading this early this morning, but will get back to you later today :).

Here’s one article from the website that may spark some ideas for you to try. https://www.thedailycafe.com/articles/Reluctant-Reader-Remedies
How old is your student? I did find that with the 4th graders I work with, the suggestion of reading the first chapter to them, and then continuing to either take turns reading or for sure being there for support really helped get them interested in trying. It still took time for him to get into read to self, because he needed so much support for a while, but eventually we got there!
With a 2nd grader, giving him LOTS of easy reading books helped him realized he COULD read–that he didn’t always have to be working on the hardest book he could.
Maybe try graphic novels with good illustrative support might help.