Enable Subtitles in Disney Plus on Roku
To turn on subtitles while watching Disney Plus on your Roku device, open the show or movie you want to watch, then press the Options button (the button with three horizontal lines) on your Roku remote during playback. A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen. Select Subtitles from that menu, then choose your preferred language or turn subtitles off.
The exact appearance of this menu depends on your Roku model and the Disney Plus app version, but the Options button method works on all Roku devices. If you do not see a Subtitles option, make sure the show or movie you are watching actually has subtitles available — not all titles support them.
Once you select a subtitle language, it will stay on for that title. If you want subtitles on for your next show, you will need to repeat these steps, because Disney Plus does not save a default subtitle preference across all content on Roku.
Key Takeaways
- Press the Options button (three lines) on your Roku remote while a show or movie is playing to open the subtitle menu.
- Select Subtitles from the menu and choose your language; the subtitle setting applies only to that individual title.
- Not every Disney Plus title has subtitles, so the Subtitles option may not appear for some content.
- Roku does not store a default subtitle preference across all Disney Plus content, so you must turn subtitles on for each show or movie separately.
- If the Options button does not work, try pressing the Star button on your remote as an alternative.
Finding the Options Button on Your Roku Remote
The Options button is located on the front of your Roku remote and looks like three horizontal lines stacked on top of each other (sometimes called a "hamburger menu" icon). On older Roku remotes, this button may be labeled with an asterisk (*) or star symbol instead. Both buttons do the same thing in the Disney Plus app.
If your Roku remote is a newer model with voice control, the Options button is still in the same location — usually in the upper right area of the remote, below the directional pad. Press it firmly once while your show is playing; you should see a menu appear at the bottom of your screen within a second or two.
Subtitle Languages Available on Disney Plus
Disney Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages depending on the title. Common options include English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and others. The exact languages available vary by title and by your region. When you open the Subtitles menu, you will see only the languages that are actually available for the show or movie you are watching.
If you want to watch a title in a different language with subtitles, check the language options in the Disney Plus app itself before starting playback. Some titles let you choose the audio language first, and subtitles in that language may then be available. Other titles have subtitles in languages different from the audio track — for example, you might watch English audio with Spanish subtitles.
What to Do If Subtitles Do Not Appear
If you press the Options button and do not see a Subtitles choice, the most common reason is that the title you are watching does not have subtitles. Disney Plus does not provide subtitles for every show and movie in its library, especially older content or certain international titles.
If you believe subtitles should be available, try these steps: first, stop the video and go back to the title's main page. Check the title details to see if subtitles are listed as a feature. Second, make sure your Roku device is connected to the internet and your Disney Plus app is fully updated — go to the Roku home screen, highlight the Disney Plus app, press Options, and select Check for updates. Third, try restarting the app by pressing the Home button, then selecting Disney Plus again.
If subtitles still do not work after these steps, the title itself may not support them. Try a different show or movie to confirm that subtitles work on other content.
Adjusting Subtitle Size and Appearance
Disney Plus on Roku does not offer built-in controls to change subtitle size, color, or font directly within the app. However, your Roku device itself may have accessibility settings that affect how subtitles appear across all apps. To access these, go to the Roku home screen, select Settings, then Accessibility, and look for options related to captions or subtitles.
These system-level settings vary by Roku model and software version. Some Roku devices let you adjust caption size and background color, while others do not. If your Roku model supports these options, changes you make there will explore to Disney Plus and other apps that use subtitles.
Turning Subtitles Off
To turn subtitles off, press the Options button again during playback and select Subtitles. A menu will appear showing the currently active subtitle language. Look for an option that says Off or None and select it. Subtitles will disappear when ready.
Remember that this setting applies only to the current title. When you start watching a different show or movie, you will need to repeat this process if you want subtitles off for that content as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do subtitles disappear when I pause the video?
Subtitles on Disney Plus typically stay visible even when you pause, but the menu at the bottom of the screen (where you access subtitle controls) will disappear after a few seconds of inactivity. This is normal. Press any button on your remote to bring the menu back if you need to adjust subtitles while paused.
Can I set subtitles to stay on for all Disney Plus content?
No. Disney Plus on Roku does not have a global default subtitle setting. You must turn subtitles on for each title individually. If you watch with subtitles regularly, you will need to press Options and select Subtitles every time you start a new show or movie.
Do subtitles work on all Roku models?
Yes, the Options button method works on all current Roku devices, including Roku streaming sticks, Roku boxes, and Roku TVs. Older Roku models may have slightly different menu layouts, but the subtitle feature is available on all versions that support the Disney Plus app.
What if my Roku remote is not responding?
First, replace the batteries in your remote and make sure they are inserted correctly. If the remote still does not work, try pairing it again by holding down the pairing button (usually on the back of the remote) for a few seconds. If you cannot locate the pairing button, consult your Roku model's manual or contact Roku support.
Can I use closed captions instead of subtitles?
Disney Plus uses the term "Subtitles" for all text options in the app, whether they include sound descriptions or not. Some titles may have closed captions (which include descriptions of sounds and music), while others have only standard subtitles. When you open the Subtitles menu, you will see all available text options for that title.