Captions and subtitles are built into Paramount Plus, and you can turn them on or off for any show or movie in seconds

Paramount Plus displays captions and subtitles through a button on the video player itself. When you start playing any content, look for the closed-caption icon (it looks like a rectangle with lines inside it, or sometimes labeled "CC") in the bottom-right corner of the player. Click or tap that icon, and a menu appears with caption options. You can turn captions on, turn them off, or choose between different subtitle languages if the content offers them.

The exact location and appearance of the caption button varies slightly depending on whether you are watching on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device. The process is the same on all of them: play the video, find the CC button, and select your preference. Your choice applies only to that video — if you want captions on for everything you watch, you will need to turn them on each time, or adjust your account settings.

Key Takeaways

  • The closed-caption button (CC icon) appears in the bottom-right corner of the video player on all devices.
  • Click or tap the CC button while a video is playing to see caption options, including different languages when available.
  • Turning captions on for one video does not automatically turn them on for the next one you watch.
  • If the CC button is grayed out or missing, that particular content does not have captions available.

Finding the caption button on your device

On a computer or tablet, move your mouse or finger over the video while it is playing. The player controls appear at the bottom of the screen. The CC icon sits in the bottom-right area, usually next to the volume control and the fullscreen button. On a phone, tap the screen once to reveal the controls, then look for the CC icon in the same bottom-right area.

On a TV device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, or a smart TV), use your remote to navigate to the CC button. The remote controls vary by device, but the button is always in the player controls at the bottom of the screen. If you do not see the controls, press a button on your remote (often the center or select button) to make them appear.

Choosing caption language and style

When you tap or click the CC icon, a dropdown menu shows your options. Most content offers English captions, and many shows and movies offer subtitles in other languages as well. Select the language you want. If you see an option that says "Off" or "None," that turns captions off entirely.

Paramount Plus does not offer customizable caption styling (like changing the font size or background color) through the app itself. If you need larger text or different colors, check your device's accessibility settings. Most phones, tablets, computers, and TV devices have built-in caption customization in their system settings, and Paramount Plus respects those choices.

When captions are not available

Some content on Paramount Plus does not have captions. This is more common with older movies, some live sports, and certain licensed content from other studios. If the CC button is grayed out, dimmed, or missing entirely, captions are not available for that title. This is a limitation of the content itself, not a problem with your account or device.

If you find that captions are missing from a show or movie you want to watch, you can report it to Paramount Plus through the app or website. Go to your account settings, find the help or support section, and look for a way to report missing captions. Paramount Plus tracks these requests and sometimes adds captions to popular titles later.

Captions stay off by default unless you turn them on each time

Paramount Plus does not have a global "always on" setting for captions across your entire account. Each time you start a new video, captions are off unless you turn them on. This means if you watch multiple shows in one sitting, you will need to click the CC button for each one.

Some users find this frustrating, especially those who rely on captions. Your device's accessibility settings may offer a workaround. On many phones and tablets, you can enable captions at the system level, which may explore to apps like Paramount Plus. Check your device's settings under Accessibility or Captions to see if this option is available.

Troubleshooting caption problems

If the CC button does not appear at all, try refreshing the page or restarting the app. Close Paramount Plus completely and open it again. If you are on a computer, try a different web browser. If you are on a phone or tablet, make sure the app is up to date by checking your app store for updates.

If captions appear but are cut off, frozen, or out of sync with the audio, this is usually a temporary glitch. Pause the video, wait a few seconds, and press play again. If the problem continues, try restarting your device. If captions still do not work after these steps, the issue may be with that specific video or your internet connection rather than your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do captions turn off when I start watching a different show?

Paramount Plus treats each video separately. Turning captions on for one show does not carry over to the next one. You will need to turn them on again by clicking the CC button. This is by design, though it can be inconvenient if you always want captions on.

Can I make the captions bigger or change their color?

Paramount Plus does not offer caption customization within the app. However, your device's accessibility settings usually do. On phones, tablets, and computers, look in Settings under Accessibility or Captions to adjust text size, background color, and font. Paramount Plus will use those system-level settings.

What if a show has captions in English but I want Spanish subtitles?

Click the CC button and look at the dropdown menu. If Spanish is listed as an option, select it. Not all content offers multiple languages — it depends on what the studio provided to Paramount Plus. If Spanish is not available, that language option was not included for that title.

Do captions work on live TV through Paramount Plus?

Live content sometimes has captions, but not always. It depends on whether the original broadcast includes them. Click the CC button during a live show to see if captions are available. Sports events and breaking news are less likely to have captions than scheduled programs.

Why is the CC button grayed out?

A grayed-out CC button means captions are not available for that particular video. This happens with some older films, certain licensed content, and some live events. You cannot turn on captions for content that does not have them.