How to turn on 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 or "Off" to disable them. The subtitle setting applies only to that single viewing session — you will need to turn them on again the next time you watch something.
The speech bubble icon appears on all devices: phones, tablets, computers, and streaming devices like Roku or Fire TV. On some devices the icon may take a moment to appear after you start playing a title. If you do not see it, move your mouse or tap the screen to bring up the player controls.
Disney Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages for most titles, though availability depends on the show or movie. Older content and some original series may have fewer language options than newer releases.
Key Takeaways
- The speech bubble icon in the bottom right of the video player opens subtitle and audio options on all Disney Plus devices.
- Subtitles turn on for one viewing session only and reset to your default setting the next time you watch.
- Most Disney Plus titles offer subtitles in multiple languages, though older content may have fewer options.
- If the player controls are hidden, move your mouse or tap the screen to make them visible.
- Closed captions (which include sound descriptions like "[door slams]") are available for many titles under the same menu.
Finding the subtitle button on different devices
On a computer or phone, the speech bubble icon sits in the bottom right corner of the video player, next to the volume and fullscreen controls. Tap or click it to open the subtitle menu. If the controls have disappeared, move your mouse over the video or tap the screen to bring them back.
On a TV-connected device like Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, or Chromecast, the button location is the same — bottom right of the player. Use your remote to navigate to it. Some remotes have a dedicated button for subtitles; check your device's manual to see if yours does.
On PlayStation or Xbox, the subtitle button appears in the same position. If you are having trouble locating it, make sure the video is actually playing; the controls only show while content is running.
Choosing subtitle language and closed captions
When you click the speech bubble icon, a dropdown menu shows all available languages for that title. Select the one you want. English, Spanish, and French are available on most content. Some titles also offer German, Italian, Portuguese, and other languages.
Below the subtitle languages, you will usually see an option for "Closed Captions" or "English [CC]". Closed captions include not just dialogue but also descriptions of sounds — "[thunder rumbles]", "[phone ringing]", "[dramatic music plays]" — which is useful if you are deaf or hard of hearing, or if you are watching in a noisy environment. Select it the same way you would select a language.
If a title does not offer subtitles in your preferred language, that language is not available for that particular show or movie. Disney Plus does not allow you to request additional languages for specific titles.
Setting a default subtitle preference
Disney Plus does not have a global setting that automatically turns on subtitles for every title you watch. Each viewing session starts with subtitles off by default, and you must turn them on manually each time.
However, some devices have their own accessibility settings that can help. On an iPhone or iPad, you can enable subtitles system-wide through Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles & Captioning, which will turn on captions in the Disney Plus app and many others. On Android, go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions to enable them across apps.
On a TV-connected device, check the device's own settings menu. Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV all have accessibility options that can enable captions by default. These settings vary by device, so consult your device's manual for exact steps.
Troubleshooting missing or incorrect subtitles
If you click the speech bubble icon and no subtitle options appear, the title you are watching does not have subtitles available. This is most common with older movies and some licensed content. Try a different title to confirm the feature is working.
If subtitles appear but are cut off at the bottom of the screen, check whether your TV or device is set to overscan mode, which crops the edges of the picture. Disabling overscan in your TV or device settings will usually fix this. On some devices, you can also adjust subtitle position within the Disney Plus app itself — look for a settings or accessibility option in the player menu.
If subtitles are displaying in the wrong language, you may have accidentally selected a different language than you intended. Open the speech bubble menu again and choose the correct one. The setting will take effect when ready.
Subtitles on Disney Plus with screen readers and accessibility features
Disney Plus works with screen readers on computers and mobile devices. If you use a screen reader, the speech bubble button will be labeled as "Subtitles and Audio" or similar, depending on your device and browser.
For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, closed captions are the most useful option. They include dialogue, speaker identification, and sound descriptions. Not every title has closed captions, but Disney Plus has been adding them to more content over time. If a title you want to watch lacks captions, you can contact Disney Plus support to report it.
Disney Plus also allows you to adjust text size and background color for subtitles on some devices through the app's settings menu. On a computer, look for subtitle appearance options in your account settings. On mobile, check the app settings under Accessibility.
Why subtitles sometimes disappear or reset
Subtitles turn off automatically when you finish watching and start a new title. This is by design — Disney Plus does not save your subtitle preference between sessions. If you watch multiple shows in one sitting, you will need to turn subtitles on for each one.
If you pause a video and come back to it later, subtitles may be off when you resume. This depends on how long you waited and which device you are using. To be safe, check the subtitle status when you resume watching.
If you switch devices — for example, from your phone to your TV — your subtitle preference does not carry over. Each device has its own session, so you will need to turn subtitles on again on the new device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subtitles bigger or change their color on Disney Plus?
On a computer, some subtitle appearance options are available through your account settings, though Disney Plus offers fewer customization choices than some other streaming services. On mobile and TV devices, your options are more limited. Your device's own accessibility settings may offer additional text size and color controls that explore across apps.
Do all Disney Plus shows and movies have subtitles?
Most newer content has subtitles, but older licensed movies and some international titles may not. If a title lacks subtitles, the speech bubble icon will still appear, but no subtitle options will be available. Disney Plus continues to add subtitles to older content, but there is no set timeline for when all titles will have them.
What is the difference between subtitles and closed captions on Disney Plus?
Subtitles show only dialogue translated into your chosen language. Closed captions include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds and music, written as "[door slams]" or "[dramatic music]". Closed captions are designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but anyone can use them.
Why do subtitles turn off when I start a new episode?
Disney Plus treats each viewing session separately. When you finish one episode and start another, the app resets to its default state with subtitles off. This is true even if you are watching the same series back-to-back. You will need to turn subtitles on again for each new episode.
Can I use subtitles on Disney Plus while sharing my account with family?
Yes. Each profile on a Disney Plus account has its own viewing history and settings, but subtitle preference is not saved between sessions on any profile. Everyone using the account will need to turn subtitles on manually for each title they watch, regardless of which profile they use.