Turn on subtitles in three steps

To turn on subtitles while watching on Paramount Plus, start playing any show or movie. Look for the closed-caption icon — it looks like a rectangle with lines inside it — in the bottom-right corner of the video player. Click or tap that icon, and subtitles will appear on screen. Click it again to turn them off.

The closed-caption button is the fastest way to toggle subtitles on and off mid-show. You do not need to pause, restart, or dig through menus. If you cannot see the player controls, move your mouse or tap the screen to make them appear.

On some devices, the button may say "CC" instead of showing an icon. The function is the same — one click turns subtitles on, another turns them off.

Key Takeaways

  • The closed-caption button (a rectangle with lines, or "CC") sits in the bottom-right corner of the video player and toggles subtitles on or off when ready.
  • If you do not see player controls, move your mouse or tap the screen to make them appear.
  • Paramount Plus remembers your subtitle choice for future viewing, so you can set it once and leave it on.
  • Some shows and movies do not have subtitles available, even if the button appears — this depends on what the content provider has supplied.

Where the closed-caption button is on each device

On a computer or phone, the closed-caption button is always in the bottom-right corner of the video player, next to the volume control and the fullscreen button. Hover your mouse over the player or tap the screen if the controls have faded out.

On a Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, or other streaming device, use the same method: the button appears in the bottom-right when you press a direction button on your remote. Look for the "CC" label or the closed-caption rectangle icon.

On a Samsung Smart TV with Paramount Plus built in, the controls work the same way — press a button on your remote to reveal the player controls, then navigate to the closed-caption button.

Paramount Plus remembers your subtitle preference

Once you turn subtitles on, Paramount Plus keeps them on for your next show or movie. You do not have to turn them on every time you start watching something new. If you turn them off, they stay off until you turn them back on.

This preference is tied to your account, so it carries across devices. If you turn subtitles on while watching on your phone, they will be on the next time you watch on your TV — as long as you are signed into the same Paramount Plus account.

What to do if subtitles are not available

Some shows and movies on Paramount Plus do not have subtitles, even though the closed-caption button appears. This happens when the content provider has not supplied subtitle files to Paramount Plus. The button will be there, but clicking it will not produce any text.

This is most common with older movies, independent films, or content licensed from smaller studios. If subtitles are missing from something you want to watch, there is no setting or workaround — the subtitles straightforward were not provided for that title.

You can check whether a show or movie has subtitles before you start watching by looking at the title's information page. Some listings note "CC" or mention subtitles in the details, though not all do.

Subtitle language options

Paramount Plus offers subtitles in English by default. If a show or movie has subtitles in other languages, you can usually change the language by clicking the closed-caption button and looking for a menu that lists available languages.

Not all content has multiple subtitle languages available. English subtitles are the most common, and many titles do not offer Spanish, French, or other options. The languages available depend on what the content provider has supplied.

Troubleshooting: subtitles are on but you cannot see them

If you have turned on subtitles but the text is not appearing, first check that the video player is not in fullscreen mode on a very small screen — sometimes subtitles are cut off at the edges. Exit fullscreen and try again.

If subtitles still do not appear, try pausing the video, refreshing the page or app, and starting the video again. On a streaming device, restart the Paramount Plus app entirely by closing it and opening it fresh.

If the closed-caption button is grayed out or does not respond, the title may not have subtitles available. Try a different show or movie to confirm that subtitles work on other content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the size or color of the subtitles?

Paramount Plus does not offer built-in controls to resize or recolor subtitles within the app. The subtitle appearance is fixed. If you need larger text, you can increase your device's overall text size in your system settings, which may make subtitles larger as well.

Why are subtitles delayed or out of sync with the dialogue?

Subtitle sync problems are usually caused by a slow internet connection or a glitch in the app. Try pausing for 10 seconds to let the video buffer, then play again. If the problem continues, close the app completely and reopen it.

Do subtitles work on all Paramount Plus plans?

Yes, subtitles are available on all Paramount Plus subscription tiers, including the ad-supported plan. The closed-caption button works the same way regardless of which plan you have.

Can I turn on subtitles before a show starts?

No, you must start playing a show or movie first. The closed-caption button only appears once the video is playing. Once you turn subtitles on, they will stay on for all future content you watch.