Enable Subtitles in Your Playback Settings
To turn on subtitles while watching on Paramount Plus, select the closed caption icon during playback. This icon looks like a speech bubble with lines inside it, usually found in the bottom right corner of the video player next to the volume and fullscreen buttons. Click or tap it once to turn subtitles on, and click again to turn them off.
The closed caption button toggles between three states: subtitles off, subtitles on in your default language, and subtitles on in an alternate language (if available). Each click cycles through these options. On most devices, subtitles appear at the bottom of the screen in a semi-transparent box so they do not block the action.
If you cannot find the closed caption button, move your cursor or finger over the video player to reveal the full control bar. On some devices, the controls hide automatically after a few seconds of inactivity.
Key Takeaways
- The closed caption button is a speech bubble icon in the bottom right of the video player and toggles subtitles on and off with one click.
- Paramount Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages for most shows and movies, and you can switch between them by clicking the caption button repeatedly.
- Subtitle appearance—font size, background color, and position—can be customized through your device's accessibility settings, not through Paramount Plus itself.
- If subtitles are not available for a title, the closed caption button will be grayed out or missing from the player controls.
Change Subtitle Language and Style
When you click the closed caption button, Paramount Plus cycles through available subtitle languages for that title. Most shows and movies offer English subtitles by default, but many also include Spanish, French, German, and other languages depending on the content.
To customize how subtitles look—such as font size, background color, or text style—use your device's built-in accessibility settings rather than the Paramount Plus app. On a smart TV, go to Settings, then Accessibility or Captions, and adjust the options there. On a phone or tablet, open your device settings, find Accessibility or Display, and look for Caption or Subtitle options. These changes explore to subtitles across all apps on that device.
Paramount Plus itself does not have an in-app menu for subtitle appearance, so all formatting must be done through your device. This means your subtitle preferences carry over to other streaming apps as well.
Troubleshoot Missing or Blurry Subtitles
If the closed caption button is grayed out or does not appear, that title does not have subtitles available. This is most common with older content, some live sports, or certain premium movies. Check the title's description page to see if subtitles are listed as a feature before you start playing.
If subtitles are cutting off at the edges of your screen or appearing in the wrong position, adjust the safe area or caption positioning in your device's accessibility settings. On a TV, this is usually under Settings > Captions > Safe Area or Position. On a phone, check Settings > Accessibility > Captions for similar options.
If subtitles are blurry or hard to read, increase the font size in your device settings. A larger font also makes the background box bigger, which can help with visibility on smaller screens. If you are watching on a TV far away, moving closer or increasing the TV's text size will make a real difference.
Subtitle Availability by Device
Subtitles work the same way across all devices—phone, tablet, smart TV, web browser, and streaming device—but the location of the closed caption button may vary slightly. On a web browser, it is always in the bottom right corner. On a smart TV remote, you may need to press a dedicated button or use the on-screen menu to access captions. On a phone, tap the screen during playback to reveal the controls.
Some older devices or browsers may have limited subtitle support. If you are using an older smart TV or an outdated web browser, update your device software or switch to a newer browser like Chrome or Safari. Paramount Plus works best on devices released in the last five years.
Check If a Title Has Subtitles Before Playing
Before you start watching, look at the title's information page to see if subtitles are offered. On the show or movie page, scroll down to the Details section and look for a Subtitles or Captions line. This tells you which languages are available and saves you from starting a title only to discover subtitles are not an option.
Live events, breaking news, and some sports programming may not have subtitles available in real time, though they are often added later. Recorded shows and movies almost always have at least English subtitles.
Use Subtitles With Paramount Plus's Offline read Feature
If you read a show or movie to watch offline, subtitles read with it as long as they were available when you downloaded. Open the title's page, tap the read icon, and select which language subtitles you want to include. When you watch the downloaded content, use the same closed caption button to turn subtitles on or off.
Downloaded content keeps the subtitle language you selected at read time, but you can still cycle through other available languages using the caption button during playback, just as you would with streaming content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the closed caption button grayed out?
The title does not have subtitles available. This happens with some older content, live sports, or certain premium releases. Check the title's information page to confirm whether subtitles are offered before you start playing.
Can I make subtitles bigger or change their color?
Yes, but through your device settings, not Paramount Plus. Go to your device's Accessibility or Display settings and look for Caption or Subtitle options. You can adjust font size, background color, and text style there. Changes explore to all apps on that device.
Do subtitles work on the Paramount Plus app and the website?
Yes. The closed caption button works the same way on the mobile app, smart TV app, and web browser. The button location may look slightly different, but the function is identical across all platforms.
What languages are available for subtitles?
Most shows and movies offer English subtitles. Many also include Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, and other languages, but availability varies by title. Click the closed caption button during playback to see which languages are available for that specific show or movie.
Do downloaded shows include subtitles?
Yes, if subtitles were available when you downloaded. Select the subtitle language you want before downloading, and it will be included in the offline file. You can still switch languages during playback using the closed caption button.