Turn on subtitles in three steps
To turn on subtitles on Disney Plus, start playing any show or movie. While the video is playing, look for the speech bubble icon in the bottom right corner of the player — it usually appears when you move your mouse or tap the screen. Click or tap that icon, then select your preferred language from the menu that appears. The subtitles will turn on when ready.
If you don't see the speech bubble icon right away, move your mouse over the video player or tap anywhere on the screen to make the controls visible. The icon sits to the right of the volume control and the fullscreen button. On mobile devices, the controls may disappear after a few seconds of inactivity, so tap the screen again if you need to find the icon.
Once you select a subtitle language, Disney Plus remembers your choice for future videos. You won't have to turn them on again unless you switch to a different language or turn them off intentionally.
Key Takeaways
- The subtitle button is a speech bubble icon in the bottom right of the video player, visible when you move your mouse or tap the screen.
- Clicking or tapping the speech bubble opens a menu where you can choose your subtitle language or turn subtitles off.
- Disney Plus saves your subtitle preference across videos, so you only need to set it once per language choice.
- If subtitles are grayed out or unavailable, that title may not have subtitles in your region or language.
- On smart TVs and streaming devices, use your remote to navigate to the speech bubble icon the same way you would on a computer.
Where to find the subtitle button on different devices
On a computer or web browser, the speech bubble icon appears in the bottom right corner of the video player, next to the volume slider and fullscreen button. Move your mouse over the video to reveal the player controls if they're hidden.
On phones and tablets, tap anywhere on the video to show the controls, then look for the speech bubble in the bottom right corner. The icon may be smaller on mobile screens, so look carefully near the other playback buttons.
On smart TVs and streaming devices like Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV, use your remote to navigate the player controls. The speech bubble icon appears in the same position — bottom right — and you select it by pressing the center button or OK button on your remote.
Choosing a subtitle language
When you tap or click the speech bubble icon, a dropdown menu appears showing all available subtitle languages for that title. Disney Plus typically offers subtitles in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and other languages depending on your region and the content. Select the language you want by clicking or tapping its name.
Some titles offer more subtitle options than others. Newer releases and popular shows usually have subtitles in many languages, while older or less widely distributed content may have fewer options. If the language you want doesn't appear in the menu, that subtitle track may not be available for that specific title.
You can also see "Off" or "None" at the top of the subtitle menu. Select this option if you want to turn subtitles off after turning them on.
What to do if subtitles aren't working
If the speech bubble icon is grayed out or doesn't respond when you click it, that title may not have subtitles available in your region or in the language you're using. Try switching your Disney Plus account language in your account settings and then checking that title again.
If subtitles were working before but suddenly stopped appearing, refresh the page or restart the app. On a computer, press F5 or Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). On mobile or TV apps, close the app completely and open it again.
If you're using a web browser, make sure your browser is up to date. Older browser versions sometimes have trouble displaying subtitle menus. You can also try a different browser to see if the problem is specific to the one you're using.
Subtitle options beyond language selection
Disney Plus does not offer adjustable subtitle settings like text size or background color directly in the subtitle menu. However, your device's accessibility settings may let you change how subtitles appear. On Windows, go to Settings > Ease of Access > Captions. On Mac, open System Preferences > Accessibility > Captions. On phones and tablets, check your device's accessibility or display settings.
Some smart TVs also have built-in subtitle customization in their system settings, separate from the Disney Plus app. Check your TV's manual or settings menu if you want to adjust subtitle appearance across all apps.
Subtitles versus closed captions
Disney Plus uses the terms "subtitles" and "closed captions" somewhat interchangeably, but they serve different purposes. Subtitles translate dialogue from one language to another. Closed captions include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds — like "[door slams]" or "[music playing]" — and are designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
When you click the speech bubble icon, you're selecting subtitles in a specific language. If Disney Plus offers closed captions for a title, they usually appear as a separate option in the same menu, often labeled "English [CC]" or similar. Select the closed caption option if you want sound descriptions included along with the dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the subtitle button grayed out?
The speech bubble icon appears grayed out when subtitles aren't available for that specific title in your region or language. Try changing your Disney Plus account language in your settings, or check if the title has subtitles in a different language. Some older titles or regional releases have limited subtitle support.
Do I have to turn subtitles on for every video?
No. Once you select a subtitle language, Disney Plus remembers your choice and automatically turns on subtitles for all future videos in that language. If you turn subtitles off, they stay off until you turn them back on.
Can I change subtitle size or color?
Disney Plus doesn't have built-in subtitle customization, but your device does. Check your device's accessibility settings — Windows, Mac, phones, and tablets all have options to adjust subtitle appearance. Some smart TVs also offer subtitle settings in their system menus.
What languages have subtitles on Disney Plus?
Available languages vary by title and region, but typically include English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Russian, Polish, and others. Check the subtitle menu for each title to see which languages are available — not every title has subtitles in every language.
Are subtitles the same as closed captions?
Not exactly. Subtitles translate dialogue, while closed captions include dialogue plus sound descriptions like "[door slams]". Disney Plus offers both, usually in the same menu. Look for options labeled "[CC]" if you want captions that include sound descriptions.