Closed captions are built into YouTube TV and turn on through your account settings or the player itself
YouTube TV includes closed captions on most live channels and on-demand content. You can enable them permanently in your account settings so they appear by default on every show, or turn them on for a single program using the player controls. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are watching on a phone, tablet, computer, or TV device.
Captions are not available on every channel or program — some live broadcasts and older content do not include them. If you do not see a captions option in the player, that particular broadcast or recording does not have captions available.
Key Takeaways
- You can turn on captions for a single show using the CC button in the YouTube TV player, or enable them by default in your account settings.
- On phones and tablets, tap the three-dot menu in the player and select Captions to turn them on for that program.
- On computers and TV devices, look for the CC icon in the player controls at the bottom right of the screen.
- Most live channels and recorded shows include captions, but some broadcasts and older content may not have them available.
- Your caption preference saves to your account, so if you enable captions by default, they will appear on all compatible content across all your devices.
Turning on captions for a single show on your phone or tablet
Open the YouTube TV app and start playing a live channel or recorded show. While the video is playing, tap the three-dot menu icon (usually in the top right corner of the player). A menu will appear with several options.
Look for the word "Captions" or a CC icon in that menu and tap it. If captions are available for that broadcast, you will see a list of caption options — usually "English" or other languages. Select the language you want. The captions will appear on screen when ready and will stay on for the rest of that program.
If you do not see a Captions option in the menu, captions are not available for that particular broadcast or recording. This is common with some live events, breaking news, or older archived content.
Turning on captions on a computer or web browser
Go to YouTube TV in your web browser and start playing a show or live channel. Look at the bottom right corner of the video player — you will see several icons including a volume control, fullscreen button, and a CC icon. Click the CC icon to turn on captions.
If captions are available, they will appear on screen. You can click the CC icon again to turn them off. Some browsers also let you right-click on the video player itself and select "Captions" from the context menu, though the CC button is the most direct route.
If the CC icon is grayed out or does not appear, captions are not available for that content.
Turning on captions on a TV device or streaming box
Start playing a show or live channel on your TV. Use your remote to bring up the player controls — usually by pressing a button on the remote or moving the cursor. Look for a CC icon or captions button in the on-screen controls.
Select the CC icon with your remote. If captions are available, a menu will appear showing language options. Choose your preferred language and the captions will display on your TV screen.
The exact location of the CC button varies by device — on some TV remotes it is a dedicated button, while on others it is part of the player menu. If you cannot find it, check your device's remote guide or YouTube TV help documentation for your specific TV model.
Setting captions to turn on automatically for all content
If you want captions to appear by default on every show you watch, you can change this in your YouTube account settings. Go to YouTube.com and sign in with the account you use for YouTube TV. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select "Settings."
In the Settings menu, look for "Captions" or "Accessibility" options. Select "Always show captions" or the equivalent option in your version of YouTube. This setting applies to YouTube TV as well as regular YouTube videos.
Once you enable this setting, captions will appear automatically on all compatible content across all your devices — phone, tablet, computer, and TV. You can still turn captions off for a single program using the CC button in the player if you prefer not to see them for that particular show.
Why captions might not be available
YouTube TV relies on captions provided by the broadcaster or content owner. Live news, sports, and entertainment channels usually include captions, but some do not. Older recorded content, independent productions, and certain specialty channels may lack captions entirely.
Breaking news broadcasts sometimes air without captions because they are unscripted and go live when ready. Some international channels and premium sports events also do not include captions. If a show you watch regularly does not have captions, the broadcaster has not provided them to YouTube TV.
You can contact YouTube TV support to report missing captions on a specific channel or program, though this does not may provide captions will be added.
Adjusting caption appearance and style
YouTube TV uses the standard captions provided by the broadcaster, and you cannot change the font size, color, or background in the YouTube TV player itself. However, your device's accessibility settings may offer additional caption customization.
On phones and tablets, go to your device's Settings and look for Accessibility or Display options. Many phones let you adjust caption size, font, and background color at the system level, and these changes will explore to YouTube TV and other apps.
On computers, some browsers have built-in caption customization in their settings. On TV devices, check your TV's accessibility menu for caption style options. These device-level adjustments override the default appearance across all apps you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all YouTube TV channels have captions?
Most major broadcast and cable news, entertainment, and sports channels include captions, but not all. Some live events, specialty channels, and international programming do not have captions available. If you do not see a CC option in the player, that content does not have captions.
Will captions slow down my internet connection?
No. Captions are text overlaid on the video and do not increase the amount of data you use or affect streaming speed. Turning captions on or off has no impact on your connection or video quality.
Can I change the language of the captions?
Only if the broadcaster has provided captions in multiple languages. Most channels offer English captions, but Spanish, French, or other languages depend on what the content provider has included. When you open the Captions menu, you will see only the languages available for that specific broadcast.
What if captions are turned on but I cannot read them?
Check your device's accessibility settings to adjust caption size and appearance. On phones and tablets, go to Settings and look for Display or Accessibility options. On computers, check your browser settings. On TV devices, use your TV remote to access the TV's accessibility menu. These adjustments often make captions larger and easier to read.
Do I need to turn on captions separately for DVR recordings?
No. If you have enabled captions in your account settings, they will appear automatically on DVR recordings that include captions. If you turn on captions only for a single show, you will need to turn them on again the next time you watch a different program.