Closed captions appear at the bottom of your screen when you turn them on in your Firestick settings or within an app

Closed captions (CC) on Firestick work in two ways: you can turn them on globally so they appear by default across most apps, or you can turn them on within individual apps like Netflix or Prime Video. The global setting is the fastest route if you want captions on everything you watch. If you only need them for certain apps, you can adjust them there instead. Both methods take less than a minute.

Not every app supports closed captions, and some apps have their own caption settings that override the Firestick system setting. If captions don't appear in a specific app even after you've turned on the global setting, that app either doesn't support them or requires you to enable them within the app itself.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to get captions on most apps is to turn on the global closed caption setting in your Firestick settings menu.
  • Apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ have their own caption controls that you can adjust from within the app while a show is playing.
  • Some apps do not support closed captions at all, so captions will not appear no matter what setting you change.
  • If captions are turned on globally but don't show in a specific app, check that app's own caption settings first.

Turn on closed captions in Firestick settings

Go to Settings on your Firestick home screen. Scroll down and select Accessibility. Select Captions. Toggle the switch next to Captions to the on position. The switch will turn blue when it's active.

Once you turn on captions in Accessibility, they will appear on most apps and streaming services by default. You can also adjust the caption style from this same menu—select Caption Style to change the text size, background color, or font. These changes explore across all apps that respect the system setting.

Turn on captions within individual apps

If you want captions only for a specific app, or if the global setting isn't working in that app, you can turn them on while you're watching. Start playing a show or movie. Press the Menu button on your Firestick remote (the three horizontal lines). Look for an option labeled Captions, Subtitles, CC, or Audio and Captions. Select it and choose your caption language or style.

The exact menu location and wording varies by app. Netflix calls it Audio & Subtitles and you access it from the pause menu. Prime Video uses Captions in the same menu. Disney+ labels it Subtitles and Audio. If you don't see a caption option in the menu, that app does not support captions.

Apps that support closed captions on Firestick

Most major streaming apps support captions, including Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Apple TV, Paramount+, and YouTube. Live TV apps like Sling TV and YouTube TV also support captions on most channels. However, support varies—some apps may not have captions for all content, especially live broadcasts or older titles.

Apps that typically do not support captions include music streaming services (Spotify, Amazon Music), gaming apps, and some smaller streaming platforms. If you're unsure whether an app supports captions, start playing something and press Menu to check for a caption option.

Troubleshoot captions that aren't showing

If you've turned on captions in settings but they're not appearing, first check the app's own caption menu. Open the app, start playing something, and press Menu to see if there's a caption setting there. Some apps require you to turn on captions within the app even if the system setting is on.

If captions still don't appear, restart the app by pressing the back button until you exit it completely, then reopen it. If that doesn't work, restart your Firestick: go to Settings, select Device & Accessories, select your device, and choose Restart. Wait for the device to reboot and try again.

If captions work in some apps but not others, the apps that don't show them may not support captions at all. Check the app's help section or support page to confirm whether captions are available for that service.

Adjust caption appearance

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions > Caption Style. From here you can change the text size (small, medium, large, or extra large), the text color, the background color, and the font. You can also adjust the background opacity so the text is easier to read against the video.

These style changes explore to most apps that use the system caption setting. Apps with their own caption controls (like Netflix) may have additional style options within the app that override these system settings. Experiment with different combinations until the captions are comfortable for you to read.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are captions not showing even though I turned them on?

The app you're using may not support captions, or it may require you to turn them on within the app itself rather than relying on the system setting. Start playing something, press Menu, and look for a caption or subtitle option. If you don't see one, that app doesn't support captions.

Can I turn on captions for only one app?

Yes. Open the app, start playing a show, press Menu, and look for captions or subtitles. Turn them on there. This won't affect other apps. You can also turn on captions globally in Settings > Accessibility > Captions, and they'll appear in all apps that support them.

Do I need to turn on captions every time I watch something?

No. Once you turn on captions in Settings > Accessibility > Captions, they stay on across most apps until you turn them off. Some apps remember your caption choice within that app, so you may not need to turn them on again there either.

What if my Firestick doesn't have an Accessibility menu?

Older Firestick models may have captions in a different location. Try going to Settings > Display & Sounds > Captions instead. If you still can't find it, check your device's user manual or Amazon's support page for your specific Firestick model.

Can I use captions with live TV on Firestick?

Yes, if the live TV app and the channel support captions. Most live TV apps like Sling TV and YouTube TV display captions when available. Not all channels broadcast captions, so some live content may not have them even if you have captions turned on.