Turn on subtitles in Peacock's playback settings

To turn on subtitles while watching on Peacock, open any show or movie and look for the CC icon in the playback controls at the bottom of the screen. Click or tap that icon to see your subtitle options. You can turn subtitles on, turn them off, or choose a different language if the show offers multiple subtitle tracks.

The CC icon looks like a small rectangle with lines inside it, usually positioned near the volume control and the full-screen button. On some devices, you may need to hover your mouse over the video or tap the screen to make the playback controls appear if they are hidden.

Key Takeaways

  • The CC icon in the playback controls is the fastest way to turn subtitles on or off during any show or movie.
  • Not all content on Peacock has subtitles available, so the CC icon may not appear for every title.
  • You can choose between different subtitle languages if a show offers more than one option.
  • Subtitle settings do not carry over between devices, so you may need to turn them on separately on your phone, tablet, or TV.

Where to find the CC icon on different devices

On a web browser or computer, the CC icon appears in the bottom-right corner of the video player, next to the volume slider and full-screen button. Move your mouse over the video to reveal the controls if they fade out after a few seconds of inactivity.

On a phone or tablet, tap the screen while the video is playing to bring up the controls, then look for the CC icon in the bottom-right area. On a smart TV or streaming device like Roku or Apple TV, use your remote to navigate to the CC icon in the same location. The icon remains visible on most TV apps without needing to tap or hover.

Choosing a subtitle language

When you click the CC icon, a menu appears showing all available subtitle options for that title. Some shows offer subtitles in English, Spanish, French, and other languages. Select the language you want, and the subtitles will appear when ready on your screen.

If you see "Off" at the top of the menu, that option turns subtitles off completely. If a show does not have subtitles in your preferred language, only the available options will appear in the menu. You can switch between languages at any time by clicking the CC icon again.

When subtitles are not available

Not every title on Peacock has subtitles. Older content, some live sports, and certain exclusive shows may not include subtitle tracks. If the CC icon does not appear in the playback controls, that title does not have subtitles available on Peacock.

This is a limitation of the content itself, not your account or device. If you need subtitles for a specific show, you can check the show's details page before you start watching to see whether subtitles are listed as a feature. Many newer Peacock originals include subtitles in multiple languages, but licensed older content may not.

Subtitles reset on each device

Peacock does not save your subtitle preference across devices. If you turn on subtitles on your phone, they will be off the next time you watch on your computer or TV. You will need to turn them on again using the CC icon each time you switch devices.

This means if you watch the same show on multiple devices, you may need to adjust subtitles separately on each one. Plan for this if you move between a phone, tablet, and TV during the same day or if you share your account with others who may prefer different settings.

Troubleshooting when the CC icon does not appear

If you cannot find the CC icon in the playback controls, first check that the content actually has subtitles available. Move your mouse or tap the screen to make sure the controls are visible—they sometimes hide automatically after a few seconds of inactivity. Wait a moment and try again if the controls disappear.

If the controls are visible but the CC icon is still missing, try refreshing the page or closing and reopening the app. On a smart TV, restart the Peacock app or restart the device itself. If subtitles are still not available after these steps, the title may not have subtitle tracks on Peacock, or there may be a temporary issue with that particular content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subtitles bigger or change their appearance?

Peacock does not offer built-in options to resize subtitles or change their font and color within the app. Your device's accessibility settings may allow you to adjust subtitle appearance for all apps at once. Check your phone, tablet, or TV settings under accessibility or captions to see what options are available.

Why do some shows have subtitles and others don't?

Peacock receives content from different sources, and not all of them include subtitle files. Older shows, live events, and some licensed content may not have been captioned when they were produced. Peacock adds subtitles to new originals, but legacy content depends on what the studio provided.

Do subtitles work on live TV on Peacock?

Live TV on Peacock uses closed captions from the broadcast itself, not subtitle files. Whether captions appear depends on the channel and the program. Sports and news typically have captions, but some live events may not. Use the CC icon the same way—it toggles captions on or off.

Can I turn on subtitles by default so I don't have to turn them on every time?

Peacock does not have a setting to make subtitles turn on automatically for all content. You must use the CC icon to turn them on each time you watch on a new device. Some devices like smart TVs may have system-wide caption settings that explore to all apps, which you can check in your device's accessibility menu.