Closed captions are turned on through Peacock's playback settings, which you access while a show or movie is playing
To enable closed captions on Peacock, start playing any show or movie. Once the video is running, look for the settings icon — it looks like a gear or three horizontal lines, depending on whether you are on a phone, tablet, or computer. Tap or click it, then select the captions or subtitles option. From there, you can turn captions on, turn them off, or change the language and text size.
The exact location of the settings button shifts slightly between devices. On a web browser, the icon appears in the bottom right corner of the video player. On mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, or Android, it is also in the bottom right. If you do not see it when ready, move your cursor or finger over the video — the player controls usually hide after a few seconds of inactivity and reappear when you move again.
Key Takeaways
- Open any video on Peacock and look for the settings icon (gear or three lines) in the bottom right corner of the player.
- Tap or click the settings icon, then select captions or subtitles to turn them on or off.
- You can change the caption language, text size, and background color from the same menu.
- Captions stay on for all videos you watch until you turn them off again — the setting carries across your account.
Where to find the settings button on different devices
On a desktop or laptop computer using a web browser, move your mouse over the video while it is playing. The player controls appear at the bottom of the screen. The settings icon is on the far right, next to the fullscreen button. Click it to open the menu.
On an iPhone or iPad using the Peacock app, tap anywhere on the video to reveal the controls. The settings icon is in the bottom right corner. Tap it to see your caption options. The same process works on Android phones and tablets — tap the video, then tap the settings icon.
If the controls disappear after a few seconds, tap or move your mouse over the video again to bring them back. This is normal behavior on all streaming apps and helps keep the screen uncluttered while you watch.
Changing caption size, language, and appearance
Once you open the captions menu, you have options beyond straightforward turning captions on or off. Most streaming services, including Peacock, let you adjust the text size so captions are easier to read. Look for a font size option — usually labeled as small, medium, or large.
You can also change the caption language if the show or movie offers multiple language tracks. Select the language you want from the dropdown menu. Some titles offer captions in English, Spanish, French, and other languages depending on the content.
On some devices, you may see additional formatting options like background color or text color. These let you customize how captions look on your screen. Experiment with these settings to find what works best for your viewing comfort.
Captions versus subtitles on Peacock
Closed captions include dialogue and sound descriptions — things like "[door slams]" or "[music playing]" — which make content accessible to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Subtitles typically show only the spoken dialogue translated into another language.
Peacock uses the terms somewhat interchangeably in its menus, but when you turn on captions, you are getting the full closed caption experience with sound descriptions included. If a show or movie has subtitles in a different language, that option usually appears in the same menu.
What to do if captions are not showing up
If you turn on captions but they do not appear, first check that the title actually has captions available. Not every show or movie on Peacock includes closed captions — older content or some licensed material may not have them. Try a different title to see if captions work there.
If captions work on other videos but not one specific title, that particular show or movie straightforward does not have captions. If captions do not work on any video, try closing the Peacock app completely and reopening it. On a web browser, refresh the page and try again. If the problem continues, sign out of your account, close the browser or app, and sign back in.
Make sure your device software is up to date. Peacock apps on phones and tablets work best when you have installed the latest version from your device's app store. On a computer, make sure your web browser is current as well.
Captions stay on across all your viewing
Once you turn captions on, they remain on for every video you watch on that device and account until you manually turn them off. You do not have to reset them for each show or movie. This makes it convenient if you always want captions or if you prefer them for certain types of content.
If you use Peacock on multiple devices — a phone, tablet, and computer — the caption setting is separate for each one. You may need to turn captions on individually for each device if you want them everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make captions bigger on Peacock?
Yes. Open the captions menu while a video is playing, and look for a font size or text size option. Most devices offer small, medium, and large sizes. Select the size that works best for you, and it will explore to all captions going forward.
Why does a show I want to watch not have captions?
Not all content on Peacock has closed captions available. Older shows, some licensed international content, and certain specialty programs may not include them. Try a different title to confirm captions are working on your device, then contact Peacock support if you need captions for a specific show.
Do captions work on all Peacock plans?
Yes. Closed captions are available on all Peacock subscription levels — free, Premium, and Premium Plus. The feature does not depend on which plan you have.
Can I use captions on the Peacock app and the website?
Yes. Captions work on the Peacock website, the mobile app for iPhone and iPad, and the Android app. The process is the same on all platforms — tap or click the settings icon during playback and select captions.