Turn on subtitles in three steps

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

The exact location of the closed-caption button depends on what device you are using. On a computer or phone, it sits in the player controls at the bottom of the video. On a TV app, you may need to press a button on your remote to reveal the player controls first, then look for the CC symbol.

If you do not see the closed-caption icon, make sure the video is actually playing — the player controls only appear when you move your mouse or touch the screen. Wait a moment for them to show up, then look again in the bottom-right area.

Key Takeaways

  • The closed-caption button is a rectangle with lines inside it, located in the bottom-right corner of the video player.
  • Click or tap the CC icon once to turn subtitles on, and click it again to turn them off.
  • On TV apps, you may need to press a button on your remote to make the player controls visible first.
  • Subtitle availability depends on the show or movie — not all titles have captions in every language.
  • Your subtitle preference does not save automatically between videos, so you will need to turn them on each time you start something new.

Where the closed-caption button appears on different devices

On a web browser or computer, the closed-caption icon sits in the bottom-right corner of the video player, next to the volume control and fullscreen button. Move your mouse over the video to make the controls appear if they have faded.

On a phone or tablet, the CC icon is in the same spot — bottom-right of the player. Tap the video once to reveal the controls if they are hidden, then tap the closed-caption icon.

On a TV app (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, PlayStation, Xbox, or Samsung Smart TV), press the button on your remote that shows options or settings — this is often labeled Menu, Options, or has three dots. The player controls will appear on screen, and you can navigate to the CC icon using your remote's arrow buttons. Press Select or OK to turn subtitles on.

What languages and subtitle styles are available

Paramount Plus offers subtitles in multiple languages for most shows and movies, but the exact languages depend on the title. English subtitles are available on nearly all content. Spanish, French, and Portuguese subtitles are common on many titles, though not all.

Once you click the closed-caption icon, a menu will appear showing which languages are available for that specific show or movie. Select the language you want, and the subtitles will switch when ready. If only one language is available, clicking the CC icon straightforward turns subtitles on or off without showing a menu.

Paramount Plus does not offer customizable subtitle appearance — you cannot change the font size, color, or background. The subtitles appear in the default white text on a dark background at the bottom of the screen.

Subtitles are not the same as audio descriptions

Subtitles show dialogue and sound effects as text on the screen. Audio descriptions are a separate audio track that narrates what is happening on screen for people who are blind or have low vision.

If you are looking for audio descriptions instead of subtitles, look for an audio icon (usually shaped like a speaker with sound waves) near the closed-caption button. Not all shows and movies have audio descriptions available, and availability varies by device.

Subtitles do not save between videos

Paramount Plus does not remember your subtitle preference from one video to the next. If you turn on subtitles for one show, you will need to turn them on again when you start a different show or movie. This is different from some other streaming services, which let you set subtitles to stay on by default.

If you watch with subtitles regularly, you may want to bookmark this process or keep it in mind so you know where to find the CC button quickly each time you start something new.

Troubleshooting when subtitles do not appear

If you click the closed-caption icon and nothing happens, the title you are watching may not have subtitles available. This is rare but does occur with some older or licensed content. Try starting a different show or movie to see if subtitles work on that title.

If subtitles work on some titles but not others, check whether the unavailable title is marked as having limited subtitle support in the show or movie description. Paramount Plus usually notes this before you start playing.

If the closed-caption icon is missing entirely from the player, try refreshing the page or restarting the app. If the problem continues, sign out of your account and sign back in. On TV apps, try restarting the app or restarting your device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the subtitles bigger or change their color?

No. Paramount Plus does not offer subtitle customization. The subtitles appear in white text on a dark background at a fixed size. If you need larger text, you may be able to zoom in on your device or adjust your TV's display settings, though this will enlarge the entire screen, not just the subtitles.

Why do some shows have subtitles but others do not?

Subtitle availability depends on the content provider and licensing agreements. Paramount Plus adds subtitles to most of its original shows and movies, but some licensed content from other studios may not have them. The show or movie description usually notes if subtitles are unavailable.

Do subtitles work on all Paramount Plus devices?

Yes, subtitles are available on web browsers, phones, tablets, and TV apps. The process is slightly different on each device, but the closed-caption button is always in the player controls. If subtitles are not working on one device, try a different device to see if the problem is specific to that app or your account.

What if I want subtitles to stay on automatically?

Paramount Plus does not have a default-on setting for subtitles. You must turn them on manually each time you start a new video. If this is inconvenient, consider using your device's accessibility settings — some phones and TVs have system-wide caption options that may work with Paramount Plus.