How to Turn On Subtitles on Paramount Plus on Your TV

Turning on subtitles on Paramount Plus depends on your device type

The steps to enable subtitles on Paramount Plus vary slightly depending on whether you're using a smart TV app, a streaming device like Roku or Fire Stick, a gaming console, or a cable box. The good news is that subtitles are built into the Paramount Plus app on all these platforms — you don't need to change any TV settings or buy anything extra. Once you turn them on for a show or movie, you can usually keep them on for everything you watch, or turn them off per title.

Most devices follow the same basic pattern: start playing a show, look for a menu button (often labeled CC, subtitles, or settings), and select your language and style. The exact button location and menu name changes by device, so this guide walks through the most common setups.

Key Takeaways

Subtitles are turned on inside the Paramount Plus app during playback, not in your TV's settings.
On most devices, you press a button labeled CC, subtitles, or settings while a show is playing to find the subtitle menu.
You can choose your subtitle language and text size from the same menu on most platforms.
Once you turn subtitles on, they usually stay on for all future shows unless you turn them off again.

Subtitles on Paramount Plus through a smart TV app

If you have Paramount Plus built into your smart TV (Samsung, LG, Vizio, or similar), start playing any show or movie. While the video is playing, look for a button on your remote labeled CC, Subtitles, or Options. On most smart TV remotes, this is a dedicated button near the top or side of the remote.

Press that button and a menu should appear on screen. Select Subtitles or Closed Captions from the options. You'll see a list of languages — choose the one you want (usually English). Some TVs also let you adjust text size and background color from this same menu. Once you select a language, subtitles will turn on when ready and stay on for that show and future shows until you turn them off.

If your remote doesn't have a dedicated CC button, try pressing the Menu, Settings, or Info button while a show is playing. The subtitle option should appear in the menu that pops up.

Subtitles on Roku, Fire Stick, and Apple TV

On Roku and Fire Stick devices, start playing a show in the Paramount Plus app. While the video is playing, press the Options button on your remote (usually marked with an asterisk or three dots). A menu will appear at the bottom or side of the screen. Look for an option labeled Subtitles, Closed Captions, or CC and select it.

You'll see a list of subtitle languages. Select the language you want — English is the default for most users. You can also choose Off to turn subtitles off, or On to turn them on without changing the language. Some versions of the app let you adjust text size and background from this menu as well.

On Apple TV, the process is similar: press the Menu button on your remote while a show is playing, then look for Subtitles or Closed Captions in the menu. Select your language and the subtitles will turn on.

Subtitles on PlayStation and Xbox

If you're using Paramount Plus on a PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S, start playing a show or movie. While it's playing, press the Options button on a PlayStation controller or the Menu button on an Xbox controller. A menu will appear on screen.

Look for Subtitles, Closed Captions, or CC Settings in that menu. Select it, choose your language (usually English), and subtitles will turn on. You can return to this same menu at any time to turn subtitles off or switch languages.

Subtitles on cable box apps

Some cable providers (Comcast Xfinity, Charter Spectrum, and others) offer Paramount Plus through their cable box app. If you're using this version, start playing a show and look for a button on your cable remote labeled CC, Subtitles, or Options. Press it and a menu should appear.

Select Subtitles or Closed Captions, then choose your language. The steps are the same as with a smart TV app because the cable box is essentially running the same software. If you can't find the subtitle menu, check your cable provider's support page — some older cable boxes have different button layouts.

Changing subtitle language and appearance

Once you've turned subtitles on, you can usually change the language, text size, and background color from the same menu. The exact options depend on your device, but most platforms let you choose from at least two or three text sizes and a few background styles (solid black, semi-transparent, or none).

To access these settings, start playing a show and open the subtitle menu the same way you did to turn subtitles on. Look for options like Subtitle Style, Text Size, Background, or Font. Make your changes and they'll usually explore to all future shows you watch. If a particular show has subtitles in multiple languages, you can switch between them without stopping playback.

What to do if subtitles aren't showing up

If you've turned subtitles on but they're not appearing, first check that you actually selected a language — sometimes the menu defaults to Off even after you open it. Go back into the subtitle menu and confirm that a language (like English) is selected, not Off or None.

If subtitles are still not showing, try closing the Paramount Plus app completely and reopening it. On most devices, you can do this by pressing the home button, finding Paramount Plus in your app list, and selecting it again. If that doesn't work, restart your device — unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.

Some older shows or movies on Paramount Plus may not have subtitles available in all languages. If a title doesn't have subtitles at all, the subtitle menu may not appear or may show only Off as an option. This is a limitation of that specific title, not your device or account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do subtitles stay on for all shows or do I have to turn them on each time?

Once you turn subtitles on and select a language, they stay on for all future shows you watch on that device. You only have to turn them on once. If you want to turn them off for a specific show, you can do that from the subtitle menu without affecting your default setting.

Can I change the subtitle language for a show that's already playing?

Yes. Open the subtitle menu the same way you did to turn them on, select a different language, and the subtitles will switch when ready. You don't have to stop or restart the show.

Why does my device show subtitles in a different language than I selected?

This usually means your TV or device's system language is set to something other than English. Check your device's main settings (not the Paramount Plus app settings) and change the system language to English. Then open Paramount Plus again and the subtitles should appear in English.

Are subtitles available for all shows and movies on Paramount Plus?

Most current shows and movies have subtitles, but some older titles may not. If a show doesn't have subtitles available, the subtitle option in the menu will show only Off or may not appear at all. This depends on the content itself, not your device or account.

Can I make the subtitle text bigger or change the background color?

Most devices let you adjust text size and background style from the subtitle menu. The exact options vary by device — some offer three text sizes, others offer more. Look for options labeled Subtitle Style, Text Size, or Appearance in the same menu where you turn subtitles on.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.