Where to find the subtitle button while a show or movie is playing

Open Disney Plus on your TV and start playing any show or movie. Once the video begins, look for a menu button — usually labeled with three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) or three dots. On most TV remotes, this appears when you press a button on the remote or move your cursor to the bottom of the screen.

When the menu appears, look for an icon that looks like a speech bubble or a box with lines inside it. This is the subtitle or closed caption button. Select it, and you will see a list of language options. Choose the language you want subtitles in, or select "Off" if you want to turn them off.

The exact location of this button varies slightly depending on your device — Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TV, and others all arrange their menus a little differently. The principle is the same on all of them: play the video, bring up the menu, find the subtitle icon, and pick your language.

Key Takeaways

  • Start playing any show or movie, then press the menu button on your remote to bring up playback controls.
  • Look for a speech bubble or closed caption icon in the menu that appears at the bottom of the screen.
  • Select the subtitle icon and choose your preferred language from the list that appears.
  • You can turn subtitles on or off at any time during playback without stopping the video.
  • If you do not see a subtitle option, your TV device may not support subtitles for that particular title.

Subtitles versus closed captions on Disney Plus

Disney Plus offers both subtitles and closed captions, and they are not the same thing. Subtitles translate dialogue from one language into another — if you are watching a Spanish-language show with English subtitles, you will see English text at the bottom of the screen. Closed captions include dialogue plus descriptions of sounds, music, and sound effects, written for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

When you open the subtitle menu on Disney Plus, you will usually see both options listed separately. If you want to watch a show in its original language with translation, pick the subtitle option. If you want descriptions of all audio — including who is speaking, background music, and door slams — pick closed captions. Most TV devices label closed captions as "CC" or "SDH" (which stands for Sight Impaired Descriptive).

Changing subtitle language or turning them off mid-show

You do not have to stop watching to change your subtitle settings. Press the menu button on your remote at any point during playback. The same subtitle icon will appear. Select it and choose a different language, or select "Off" to remove subtitles entirely. The change takes effect when ready.

If you switch languages and the subtitles do not update right away, wait a few seconds — some TV devices need a moment to load the new language file. If subtitles disappear completely and you want them back, bring up the menu again and select your language a second time.

Why subtitles might not appear even when you turn them on

Sometimes you select subtitles but nothing shows up on screen. This usually happens for one of three reasons. First, the title itself may not have subtitles available in your region or language — Disney Plus does not subtitle every show in every language. Second, your TV device may have a display setting that is hiding the subtitles at the bottom of the screen. Third, the video player may need a few seconds to load the subtitle file.

If subtitles do not appear after waiting ten seconds, try turning them off and back on again. If that does not work, try a different language to see if subtitles appear in that language — this tells you whether the problem is with your device or with that specific title. If subtitles work in one language but not another, the missing language straightforward is not available for that show.

Subtitle settings that carry over to your next show

Disney Plus remembers your subtitle choice. If you turn on English subtitles for one show, the next show you watch will also have English subtitles on by default. This is useful if you always want subtitles, but it also means you may need to turn them off manually if you switch to a show you do not want subtitled.

Your subtitle preference is tied to your Disney Plus account, not to your TV device. If you log into your account on a different TV, your subtitle setting will follow you. If someone else in your household logs into a different profile on the same TV, they can have their own subtitle preference that is separate from yours.

Troubleshooting subtitles on specific TV devices

If you are using a Roku, make sure you have the latest version of the Disney Plus app installed. Open the app, start a show, and press the Options button (marked with a star) on your Roku remote. Select "Subtitles" from the menu. On Apple TV, press and hold the touchpad on your remote while a show is playing, then look for the subtitle icon in the menu bar at the bottom.

On Amazon Fire Stick, start playing a show and press the Menu button on your remote. Scroll down to find "Subtitles" and select it. On Samsung Smart TV, start a show and press the Tools button on your remote (usually marked with a wrench icon), then select "Subtitles" from the menu. On Google Chromecast, use your phone or tablet to control playback — the subtitle option appears in the Chromecast app on your mobile device, not on the TV screen itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subtitles bigger or change their appearance on Disney Plus?

Disney Plus does not offer font size or color controls within the app itself. However, many TV devices have their own closed caption settings that override the app. On Roku, go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions. On Apple TV, go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit > Subtitles and Captions. These system-level settings will make subtitles larger or change their color across all apps on your TV.

Why do some Disney Plus shows have subtitles in more languages than others?

Disney Plus adds subtitle translations based on demand and licensing agreements with studios. Popular shows get subtitles in more languages faster than niche titles. If a show you want to watch lacks subtitles in your language, that language version may be added later, but there is no way to request it or know when it will arrive.

Do subtitles work on Disney Plus if I am sharing my account with someone else?

Yes, but each profile has its own subtitle setting. If you and another person share an account but use different profiles, you can each turn subtitles on or off independently. Your subtitle choice will not affect theirs, and vice versa.

Can I turn on subtitles before I start playing a show?

No. Disney Plus requires you to start playing a show or movie first, then bring up the menu to enable subtitles. You cannot pre-select subtitles from the home screen or title page. Once you turn them on, they will stay on for your next show unless you manually turn them off.