Turn off subtitles in three steps
To turn off subtitles on Paramount Plus, open the video you're watching, click or tap the settings icon (usually three dots or a gear) in the player controls, select Subtitles or Captions, then choose Off. The subtitle track will stop when ready. On most devices, you can also press the C key on your keyboard to toggle subtitles on and off without opening the menu.
The exact location of the settings icon varies slightly by device—on phones and tablets it's usually in the bottom right corner of the video player, while on computers it's typically in the bottom right as well. If subtitles turn back on automatically when you start a new video, that means your account default is set to "On," and you'll need to change that setting in your account preferences so subtitles stay off across all shows and movies.
Key Takeaways
- Click the settings icon in the video player, select Subtitles or Captions, and choose Off to turn off subtitles for the current video.
- Pressing the C key on your keyboard is a faster way to toggle subtitles on and off without opening the menu.
- If subtitles turn back on automatically for every new video, change your account default in account settings so they stay off by default.
- The settings icon location is the same on phones, tablets, and computers—look in the bottom right corner of the video player.
Change your account default so subtitles stay off
If you find yourself turning off subtitles every time you start a new show or movie, your account is set to display subtitles by default. You can change this in your account settings so subtitles remain off unless you turn them on manually.
Go to your account profile by clicking your name or profile icon in the top right corner of the Paramount Plus home page. Select Account or Settings (the exact wording depends on your device). Look for Playback Settings or Video Preferences, then find the option labeled Subtitles, Captions, or Closed Captions. Change it from On or Auto to Off. Save your changes. From that point forward, new videos will start without subtitles, though you can still turn them on anytime during playback.
Subtitle options beyond just on or off
Paramount Plus gives you more control over subtitles than straightforward turning them on or off. When you open the Subtitles menu in the player, you'll see options for different subtitle tracks if they're available—for example, English, Spanish, French, or Closed Captions (English). Closed Captions include sound descriptions like "[door slams]" or "[music playing]" in addition to dialogue, while regular subtitles show only the spoken words.
Some shows and movies have multiple subtitle languages available. If you want subtitles in a language other than English, open the Subtitles menu and select the language you prefer. The subtitle track will change when ready. If you want to turn subtitles off entirely after selecting a different language, go back to the Subtitles menu and choose Off.
Troubleshooting: Subtitles won't turn off
If you've clicked Off in the subtitles menu but subtitles are still appearing on screen, try these steps. First, refresh the page or close and reopen the app—sometimes the player doesn't register the change until you reload. Second, make sure you're clicking the correct settings icon; some players have multiple icons in the control bar, and clicking the wrong one might open volume or quality settings instead.
If subtitles still won't turn off after refreshing, try clearing your browser cache or reinstalling the Paramount Plus app. Cached data can sometimes cause the player to ignore your subtitle preference. On a web browser, you can also try a different browser to see if the problem is specific to your current one. If none of these steps work, the issue may be with your account settings—log out completely, wait a few minutes, then log back in and try turning off subtitles again.
Subtitles on different Paramount Plus devices
The steps to turn off subtitles are the same across devices, but the player interface looks slightly different depending on whether you're watching on a phone, tablet, computer, or streaming device like Roku or Apple TV.
| Device Type | Where to Find Settings | Keyboard Shortcut |
|---|---|---|
| Computer (web browser) | Bottom right corner of player; click the three dots or gear icon | Press C to toggle subtitles |
| Phone or tablet | Bottom right corner of player; tap the three dots or gear icon | No keyboard shortcut available |
| Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV | Press the options or menu button on your remote; select Subtitles | Depends on remote; check your device manual |
| PlayStation or Xbox | Bottom right corner of player; press the menu button on your controller | Depends on controller; check your console manual |
On streaming devices and gaming consoles, you may need to use your remote or controller to navigate the menu instead of clicking with a mouse. The subtitle options are always in the same logical place—in the player settings—but the button you press to open those settings varies by device.
Why subtitles might turn on automatically
Paramount Plus turns on subtitles automatically in a few situations. If you're watching on a device where the system volume is muted, the app may display subtitles by default so you can still follow the story. If you've previously watched a show with subtitles on, the app remembers that preference for that specific show and may keep subtitles on when you return to it, even if your account default is Off.
Some content on Paramount Plus, particularly international shows or movies, may have subtitles burned into the video itself—meaning they're part of the actual image and cannot be turned off through the player settings. In these cases, the Subtitles menu won't appear or will show no options. This is rare but does happen with certain licensed content.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off subtitles for just one show without changing my account settings?
Yes. Open any video from that show, click the settings icon in the player, select Subtitles, and choose Off. Subtitles will remain off for that show until you turn them back on. Your account default setting won't change, so other shows will still follow whatever default you have set.
What's the difference between Subtitles and Closed Captions on Paramount Plus?
Closed Captions include descriptions of sounds and music in addition to dialogue—for example, "[door slams]" or "[suspenseful music]." Regular Subtitles show only the spoken words. Both options appear in the Subtitles menu, and you can choose whichever you prefer.
Why do subtitles turn back on every time I start a new video?
Your account default is set to display subtitles. Go to your account settings, find Playback Settings or Video Preferences, and change Subtitles from On to Off. After that, new videos will start without subtitles by default.
Does turning off subtitles on one device turn them off on all my devices?
Your account default setting applies across all devices, so changing it in account settings affects every device where you watch Paramount Plus. However, if you turn off subtitles just for one video in the player, that change applies only to that video on that device.
Can I use the C key to toggle subtitles on the Paramount Plus app?
The C key shortcut works only on the web version of Paramount Plus when you're using a computer. On the mobile app, streaming devices, or gaming consoles, you must use the player settings menu to turn subtitles on or off.