How to enable subtitles on Disney Plus
To turn on subtitles while watching on Disney Plus, select the speech bubble icon in the bottom right corner of the video player. A menu will appear showing subtitle and audio language options. Choose your preferred language — English, Spanish, French, and others depending on the title — and the subtitles will appear when ready on screen. If you do not see a speech bubble icon, move your cursor or tap the screen to reveal the player controls.
The subtitle menu also lets you turn subtitles off entirely by selecting "Off" at the top of the language list. You can change languages or turn subtitles on and off at any point during playback without restarting the episode or film.
On mobile devices (phones and tablets), tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of the video player, then select "Subtitles and Audio" to access the same language options.
Key Takeaways
- The speech bubble icon in the bottom right of the video player opens subtitle options on computers and streaming devices.
- Mobile users should tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner to find subtitle and audio settings.
- Disney Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages for most titles, though availability varies by show or film.
- You can switch subtitles on, off, or change languages without pausing or restarting playback.
- Closed captions (which include sound descriptions like "[door slams]") are available for many titles under a separate "CC" option.
Finding the subtitle button on different devices
The location of subtitle controls changes slightly depending on what device you are using. On a computer or smart TV, hover your mouse or move your controller to reveal the video player controls at the bottom of the screen. The speech bubble icon sits to the right of the play button and volume controls. On Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Chromecast, the same icon appears in the same position once you press a button on your remote to wake up the controls.
If you are watching on an iPhone or iPad, tap anywhere on the video to show the player controls, then tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select "Subtitles and Audio" from the dropdown. On Android phones and tablets, the process is identical — tap the video, then the three-dot menu, then "Subtitles and Audio."
PlayStation and Xbox consoles follow the computer layout: press a button on your controller to reveal the bottom menu bar, then select the speech bubble icon.
Subtitle languages available on Disney Plus
Disney Plus offers subtitles in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Polish, and other languages depending on the title and your region. Not every language is available for every show or film — older content and some international originals may have fewer subtitle options than newer releases.
If you are looking for subtitles in a specific language and do not see it listed, the title may not have been subtitled in that language. You can check what languages are available before you start watching by looking at the title's details page, where subtitle and audio options are listed under "Audio and Subtitles."
Closed captions versus standard subtitles
Closed captions (CC) include not only dialogue but also descriptions of sounds — "[door slams]," "[music playing]," "[thunder crashes]" — and are designed for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Standard subtitles show only the spoken words. Disney Plus offers closed captions for many titles, though not all.
To use closed captions instead of standard subtitles, look for a "CC" label in the subtitle menu. Select it the same way you would select a language. If you do not see a CC option for a particular title, closed captions are not available for that content.
Changing subtitle size and appearance
Disney Plus does not offer built-in controls to change subtitle font size, color, or background within the app itself. Your options depend on your device. On most smart TVs and streaming devices, you can adjust subtitle appearance through the device's accessibility settings, not through Disney Plus. Go to your TV or device's settings menu, find the accessibility or captions section, and look for options to enlarge text or change colors.
On computers, some web browsers allow you to zoom the entire page, which will enlarge subtitles along with everything else on screen. On mobile devices, increasing the system-wide text size in your phone's accessibility settings will not affect Disney Plus subtitles, since the app controls its own text rendering.
Troubleshooting when subtitles do not appear
If you have turned on subtitles but they are not showing up, first check that you selected a language rather than "Off." Move your cursor or tap the screen to reveal the player controls, then open the subtitle menu again and confirm a language is highlighted. If a language is selected and subtitles still do not appear, the title may not have subtitles available in that language.
If subtitles worked before but have stopped appearing, try closing and reopening the Disney Plus app, or refreshing the page if you are watching on a computer. Log out of your account and log back in if the problem persists. On some devices, restarting the device itself can clear temporary glitches that prevent subtitles from loading.
If subtitles appear but are cut off at the bottom of the screen or overlap with the video, this is usually a device-specific display issue. Check your TV's picture settings or your device's display settings to may support the video is not zoomed in beyond the edges of your screen.
Setting subtitles as your default
Disney Plus does not have a global setting to turn on subtitles automatically for all titles you watch. You must turn them on each time you start a new show or film. However, once you turn on subtitles for a title, they will remain on if you pause and resume that same episode or film — you do not have to turn them on again until you move to a different title.
If you watch with subtitles regularly, the fastest approach is to get familiar with the location of the speech bubble icon on your device so you can enable them quickly. On most devices, it takes only one or two taps or clicks to turn subtitles on at the start of playback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use subtitles in a language different from the audio language?
Yes. You can watch a show in Spanish audio with English subtitles, or any other combination of audio and subtitle languages available for that title. Open the subtitle menu and the audio menu separately — they are independent of each other — and select the languages you want.
Do all Disney Plus titles have subtitles?
Most titles have subtitles in at least English, but not all have subtitles in every language. Some older films and certain international content may have limited subtitle options. Check the title's details page before you start watching to see what languages are available.
Why are subtitles sometimes out of sync with the dialogue?
Subtitle timing issues are rare on Disney Plus but can happen if the app is buffering or if there is a temporary glitch. Pause the video for a few seconds, then resume playback. If the problem continues, close the app and reopen it, or refresh the page on a computer.
Can I read subtitles to use offline?
No. Disney Plus does not allow you to read subtitles separately from the video. Subtitles are only available while streaming. If you read a title for offline viewing, subtitles will be included in the read if they are available for that title.
What should I do if the subtitle button is not visible on my device?
Make sure the video player controls are showing. On computers and smart TVs, move your mouse or press a button on your remote. On mobile devices, tap the video screen. If controls still do not appear, try restarting the app or checking that your device is running the latest version of Disney Plus.