The quickest way to disable subtitles

To turn off subtitles on your Fire Stick, press the Menu button (three horizontal lines) on your remote while a video is playing. Scroll down to Subtitles, then select Off or None. The subtitle track will stop when ready.

This method works across most apps—Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and others—because the Fire Stick's operating system handles the subtitle display. The exact wording varies slightly by app, but the location in the menu is consistent.

If you do not see a Subtitles option in the menu, the app you are using may control subtitles differently. Some apps like YouTube and Hulu place the subtitle toggle in a different spot, which we cover below.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Menu on your remote during playback, scroll to Subtitles, and select Off to disable them across most apps.
  • Some apps like YouTube, Hulu, and Plex have their own subtitle controls separate from the Fire Stick menu.
  • If subtitles are stuck on or the Menu button does not work, restart the app or restart your Fire Stick entirely.
  • You can set a default subtitle preference in the Fire Stick settings so subtitles stay off unless you turn them back on.

Turning off subtitles in Prime Video

Prime Video is the most common app on Fire Stick, and subtitles are controlled through the Fire Stick menu. While a show or movie is playing, press Menu on your remote. Scroll down until you see Subtitles, then highlight it and press Select.

You will see a list of available subtitle tracks—usually English, Spanish, French, and others depending on the content. At the top or bottom of this list is an option labeled Off or None. Select it, and subtitles will turn off when ready. If you want them back later, return to the same menu and pick a language.

Disabling subtitles in Netflix, Disney+, and similar apps

Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and most other streaming services use the same Fire Stick subtitle system. Press Menu during playback, scroll to Subtitles, and choose Off. The process is identical to Prime Video.

One difference: some of these apps remember your subtitle choice. If you turn off subtitles in Netflix, the next time you watch Netflix on that Fire Stick, subtitles will likely stay off. This is helpful if you prefer to watch without them most of the time.

Subtitles in YouTube, Hulu, and Plex

YouTube, Hulu, and Plex do not always follow the Fire Stick menu system. In YouTube, look for a CC button (closed captions) in the playback controls at the bottom of the screen. Press it to toggle subtitles on or off.

Hulu uses a similar approach: during playback, press Menu on your remote to bring up the playback bar, then look for a CC or Subtitles icon. Plex places subtitle controls in the video player itself—press Menu to reveal the playback controls, then find the subtitle option.

If you cannot find the subtitle toggle in these apps, try pressing the Options button (three dots or a gear icon) on your remote. Some apps hide subtitle settings there instead.

Setting a default subtitle preference in Fire Stick settings

If you want subtitles off by default across all apps, you can adjust this in the Fire Stick system settings. From the home screen, scroll to the top and select Settings. Go to Accessibility, then look for Captions or Subtitles.

The exact menu name depends on your Fire Stick model and software version, but the Accessibility section is where subtitle defaults live. You can toggle captions off here, and most apps will respect this setting when you start a new video. Note that some apps allow users to override this default, so you may still see subtitles in certain cases.

What to do if subtitles won't turn off

If the Menu button does not bring up subtitle options, or if subtitles stay on no matter what you do, the app may have frozen or the remote may not be responding. Try closing the app entirely: press the Home button on your remote, highlight the app you were watching, press Menu, and select Close or Force Stop. Then reopen the app and try again.

If that does not work, restart your Fire Stick. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to boot up. This clears temporary glitches that can lock subtitles on or make the remote unresponsive. After the restart, open your app and test the Menu button again.

If subtitles still will not turn off in a specific app, the problem may be with that app rather than your Fire Stick. Try turning off subtitles in a different app (like Prime Video) to confirm the Menu button itself is working. If it works elsewhere, uninstall and reinstall the problematic app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do subtitles turn back on every time I start a new video?

Some apps are set to show subtitles by default, especially if the video is in a language different from your Fire Stick language setting. Check the app's own settings (not the Fire Stick settings) to see if there is a subtitle preference you can change. Netflix and Prime Video both have account-level subtitle settings that override the Fire Stick default.

Can I turn off subtitles for just one app but keep them on in others?

Yes. Each app remembers its own subtitle setting independently. Turn off subtitles in one app, and they stay off only in that app. Other apps will keep their own subtitle preference. The Fire Stick system setting is a fallback that applies when an app does not have its own preference saved.

My remote Menu button is not working. How do I access subtitles?

Try using the Fire Stick mobile app instead. read the official Amazon Fire TV app on your phone, connect it to the same Wi-Fi as your Fire Stick, and use it as a remote. You can navigate to the subtitle menu the same way. If the mobile app does not work either, your Fire Stick may need a restart or a new remote.

Do subtitles use more battery on my Fire Stick remote?

No. Subtitles are displayed on your TV, not on the remote, so they have no effect on remote battery life. If your remote battery is draining quickly, the issue is unrelated to subtitles.