How to turn on subtitles on Disney Plus
Subtitles and captions on Disney Plus are turned on through the playback controls while a show or movie is playing. Click or tap the speech bubble icon (usually labeled "CC" or with a closed-caption symbol) in the bottom right corner of the video player, then select your preferred language or caption style from the menu that appears.
The exact location and appearance of this button varies slightly depending on whether you are watching on a web browser, phone, tablet, or streaming device, but the principle is the same on all platforms: open the video, locate the caption control during playback, and toggle it on.
If you do not see a caption button, the title you are watching may not have subtitles or captions available in your region or language. Disney Plus offers captions in multiple languages for most content, but not all titles have every language option.
Key Takeaways
- The caption button appears in the playback controls at the bottom right of the video player and is marked with "CC" or a closed-caption symbol.
- You can choose between subtitles (dialogue only) and captions (dialogue plus sound descriptions) if both are available for that title.
- Available languages and caption styles depend on the specific show or movie and your region.
- If captions do not appear after you select them, try refreshing the page or restarting the app, as this often fixes temporary playback issues.
- Your subtitle preference does not automatically carry over to every title, so you may need to turn captions on separately for each show or movie.
Where to find the caption button on different devices
On a web browser, open any show or movie and move your mouse over the video. The playback controls will appear at the bottom of the screen. The caption icon is typically on the far right, next to the volume and fullscreen buttons. Click it to see available options.
On a phone or tablet using the Disney Plus app, tap the video while it is playing to reveal the controls. The caption button is in the bottom right corner of the player. Tap it to open the caption menu.
On a streaming device like Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, or Google TV, use your remote to highlight the caption button in the playback controls. The button location is the same—bottom right—but you navigate to it using your device's remote rather than a mouse or touch.
Choosing between subtitles and captions
When you tap or click the caption button, a menu appears showing what is available for that specific title. Most Disney Plus content offers both subtitles (which show only dialogue) and captions (which include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds, music, and sound effects in brackets).
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, captions are usually the better choice because they describe what is happening in the audio. If you straightforward want to read along with the dialogue—perhaps because you are in a noisy environment or prefer to watch without sound—subtitles alone are sufficient.
The menu also shows which languages are available. You can switch languages at any time during playback without stopping the video.
Why captions might not be available for a title
Not every show or movie on Disney Plus has captions in every language. Older titles, some international content, and certain licensed programs may have limited caption options or none at all. If you do not see a caption button for a title you are watching, it means Disney Plus does not currently have captions for that content.
Regional availability also matters. A title may have captions in English in the United States but not in other countries, or vice versa. If you are traveling or using a VPN, the available captions may differ from what you see at home.
Fixing captions that do not appear after you select them
If you select captions but they do not show up on screen, the first step is to pause the video, wait a few seconds, and then play it again. Sometimes the captions load after a brief delay.
If that does not work, try refreshing the page (on a web browser) or closing and reopening the app (on a phone, tablet, or streaming device). This clears temporary playback glitches that can prevent captions from displaying even though they are turned on.
On a streaming device, also check that your device software is up to date. An outdated app version can occasionally cause caption features to malfunction. Visit your device's app store and update Disney Plus if an update is available.
Captions do not stay on between titles
Disney Plus does not automatically carry your caption choice from one show to the next. If you turn on captions for one episode and then start a different show, you will need to turn captions on again for the new title.
This is a limitation of how the app is designed, not a bug. Each title has its own playback settings, so your preference does not sync across the entire service. If you watch with captions regularly, you will develop a habit of turning them on as soon as you start something new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the size or color of the subtitles?
Disney Plus does not offer built-in controls to resize or recolor subtitles within the app itself. However, some devices allow you to adjust caption appearance through the device's system settings. On Apple TV, Roku, and Fire TV, check the accessibility or caption settings in your device menu, not in the Disney Plus app.
Why do some titles have captions in English but not in other languages?
Disney Plus prioritizes captions for English-language content and for major markets. Smaller markets, international films, and licensed content sometimes have fewer language options. If a caption language is missing, it may be added later as Disney Plus expands its caption library.
Do I need a paid subscription to use captions?
No. Captions and subtitles are available on all Disney Plus subscription tiers, including the ad-supported plan. There is no extra cost to use this feature.
Can I read shows with captions to watch offline?
Disney Plus allows downloads on phones and tablets, and captions are included when you read a title. When you play the downloaded video, captions will be available in the same languages as they were when you downloaded it.
What should I do if the caption button is missing from the player?
First, check that the title actually has captions available—not all content does. If captions should be available, try closing the app completely and reopening it. If the button still does not appear, restart your device. If the problem persists, contact Disney Plus support through the app's help menu.