How to Turn On Captions on Disney Plus Using a Roku Device

Enable Captions in Disney Plus on Roku

To turn on captions while watching Disney Plus on your Roku device, press the Options button (the button with three horizontal lines) on your Roku remote during playback. A menu will appear on the screen. Select Captions from that menu, then choose your preferred caption style — usually "On," "Off," or a specific language if multiple options are available.

The captions will appear when ready on your screen. If you want to change the caption language or turn them off later, you can press Options again at any time during the same show or movie and adjust the setting without stopping playback.

Disney Plus remembers your caption preference for future viewing, so if you turn captions on once, they will stay on for the next episode or title you watch — unless you manually turn them off. This makes it convenient if you always want captions or never want them.

Key Takeaways

Press the Options button (three horizontal lines) on your Roku remote while a show or movie is playing to access the captions menu.
Select Captions from the menu and choose "On" to enable them, or pick a specific language if the title offers multiple caption options.
Disney Plus saves your caption choice, so your preference carries over to the next title you watch on the same Roku device.
You can turn captions on or off at any point during playback without pausing or stopping the video.

Finding the Options Button on Your Roku Remote

The Options button is the easiest way to access captions on Roku, but it looks different depending on which Roku remote model you have. On most standard Roku remotes, it is a button with three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other — this symbol is sometimes called a "hamburger menu" button. It is usually located in the upper half of the remote, near the directional pad.

If you have an older Roku remote or a voice remote, the button may be labeled differently. On some models, you may see an asterisk (*) button instead. Press whichever button matches the three-line symbol or asterisk on your specific remote. If you are unsure which remote you have, check the model number on the back of your Roku device or look at the remote itself — the button layout is printed there.

What to Do If Captions Do Not Appear

Sometimes captions are turned on in the Disney Plus menu but still do not show up on your screen. This usually happens because the title itself does not have captions available in that language, or the Roku device needs a moment to load them. Wait a few seconds after selecting captions — they often appear with a slight delay, especially on slower internet connections.

If captions still do not appear, try pausing the video, pressing Options again, and confirming that "On" is selected rather than a specific language. Some titles on Disney Plus have captions in English (US), English (UK), Spanish, French, and other languages, but not all titles support every language. If your preferred language is not listed, try selecting "On" without specifying a language, and Disney Plus will use the default caption language for that title.

If the Options button does not bring up a menu at all, your Roku remote may need new batteries or the connection between the remote and device may be weak. Replace the batteries in your remote and try again. If the menu still does not appear, restart your Roku device by unplugging it for 10 seconds, plugging it back in, and waiting for it to fully load before trying again.

Adjusting Caption Size and Style

Disney Plus on Roku offers limited caption customization compared to some other streaming services. Once you turn captions on through the Options menu, the size and font are set by Disney Plus and cannot be changed directly within the app. The captions will appear in white text on a black background at the bottom of the screen.

If you need larger or differently styled captions, you can adjust accessibility settings on your Roku device itself, though this affects captions across all apps, not just Disney Plus. Go to Settings on your Roku home screen, select Accessibility, and look for caption options there. However, most users find the default Disney Plus captions clear and readable on standard television screens.

Caption Availability by Title

Not every title on Disney Plus has captions in every language. Movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic typically have captions in multiple languages, but some older content or international titles may have limited caption options. When you press Options and select Captions, you will see only the languages available for that specific title.

If a title shows no caption options at all, it means captions are not available for that content on Disney Plus. This is rare for major releases but can happen with certain library titles or regional content. If you need captions for a specific show or movie and they are not available, you may want to check if the title is available on another streaming service that offers captions in your language.

Turning Captions Off

To turn captions off, press the Options button again during playback and select Captions from the menu. Choose Off from the list. The captions will disappear when ready, and Disney Plus will remember that you turned them off for future titles on that device.

If you want captions on for some titles but off for others, you can toggle them on and off as you switch between shows and movies. Each time you change the setting, Disney Plus updates its memory of your preference, so you may need to turn them back on manually if you switch to a title where you want captions again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will captions stay on if I stop watching and come back later?

Yes. Disney Plus remembers your caption setting on your Roku device. If you turn captions on and then stop watching, the next time you open Disney Plus and play a title, captions will be on by default. The setting persists until you manually turn captions off.

Can I use captions in a language other than English?

Yes, if the title supports it. When you press Options and select Captions, you will see a list of available languages for that specific show or movie. Select the language you want, and captions will appear in that language. Not all titles offer all languages, so your options depend on what Disney Plus has provided for each title.

Do captions work on all Roku devices?

Captions work on all Roku devices that support the Disney Plus app, including Roku streaming sticks, Roku TVs, and Roku boxes. The process is the same across all models — press Options during playback and select Captions. If your Roku device is very old, it may not support the current Disney Plus app, but any device made in the last five years should work.

What if my Roku remote does not have an Options button?

Older Roku remotes may use an asterisk (*) button instead of the three-line Options button. Press the asterisk button during playback, and the same menu will appear. If your remote has neither button, you may have a very old remote model — contact Roku support or consider purchasing a current Roku remote, which are inexpensive and work with all Roku devices.

Can I change caption size on my Roku TV?

Disney Plus itself does not offer caption size adjustment within the app on Roku. However, if you have a Roku TV (not just a Roku streaming device), you can adjust system-wide accessibility settings through your TV's Settings menu. Go to Settings, then Accessibility, and look for caption options there. These changes will affect captions across all apps on your TV, not just Disney Plus.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.