Turn off captions in three quick steps
Closed captions on YouTube TV turn on through the settings menu on your device or TV. To turn them off, open the YouTube TV app, start playing any video or live channel, then look for the CC icon in the bottom right corner of the player. Tap or click it once to toggle captions off. The icon will no longer be highlighted when captions are disabled.
If you don't see the CC icon, move your cursor or tap the video player area to make the controls appear. On some devices the controls hide after a few seconds of watching.
Once you turn captions off for one video, they stay off for all future videos and channels you watch on that same device — YouTube TV remembers your choice.
Key Takeaways
- The CC icon in the bottom right of the video player toggles captions on and off when ready.
- Your caption preference saves automatically on each device, so you only need to change it once per device.
- If captions are stuck on, check your TV remote settings or your device's accessibility menu, as some remotes have dedicated caption buttons.
- YouTube TV captions are separate from your TV's built-in caption system, so turning off one does not affect the other.
Where the CC button is on different devices
On a web browser or computer, play any video and hover your mouse over the player. The CC icon appears in the bottom right corner next to the volume and fullscreen buttons. Click it to toggle captions off.
On a phone or tablet running the YouTube TV app, tap the video while it's playing to show the controls, then tap the CC icon in the bottom right. It works the same way on both iOS and Android.
On a smart TV or streaming device (Roku, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Chromecast), use your remote to navigate to the CC icon at the bottom right of the player. Press select or OK to turn captions off. If your remote has a dedicated caption button, pressing it may also toggle captions, though this depends on your device model.
Why captions might be turning back on
If you turn off captions but they reappear the next time you watch, check whether your TV itself has captions enabled. Many televisions have a built-in caption system separate from YouTube TV. Press the menu or settings button on your TV remote and look for an option called Closed Captions, Subtitles, or Accessibility. Turn that off at the TV level.
On some Roku devices, a caption button on the remote can override the YouTube TV setting. If your Roku remote has a dedicated CC button, make sure it is not being pressed accidentally. You can also disable this button in Roku's accessibility settings if it keeps interfering.
If you are using a cable box or satellite receiver that feeds into your TV, captions may be coming from that device instead of YouTube TV. Check the cable or satellite box settings for caption controls.
Captions in YouTube TV's settings menu
YouTube TV also has a caption preference in its main settings, though this is less common to use. Open the YouTube TV app, select your profile icon in the top right, then go to Settings. Look for a Captions option (the exact name varies by device). You can set captions to always on, always off, or remember your last choice.
This setting applies to your account across all devices where you sign in, but the CC button on the player itself overrides it. If you want captions off everywhere, setting it here ensures they stay off even if you sign in on a new device.
Captions on live TV versus recorded shows
Live channels on YouTube TV display captions the same way as recorded shows — the CC button works identically. However, not all live channels provide captions. If a channel does not broadcast captions, the CC icon may appear grayed out or disabled, and clicking it will have no effect.
News channels, sports networks, and major broadcast stations usually include captions on live feeds. Smaller cable channels or specialty networks may not. If captions are unavailable for a particular channel, switching to a different channel or watching a recorded version of the same show may give you the option to turn them on or off.
Troubleshooting when the CC button does not work
If the CC icon is grayed out or does not respond when you click it, the channel or program you are watching may not support captions. Try switching to a different channel or video to see if the button becomes active.
If the CC button is missing entirely, make sure the video is actually playing. On some devices, the player controls only appear when you tap or move your mouse. Wait a moment for the controls to show, or tap the video area again.
On a smart TV, if the remote is not responding to your button presses, try unplugging the device for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This resets the app and often fixes unresponsive controls. If the problem continues, uninstall and reinstall the YouTube TV app from your device's app store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off captions for just one channel?
No. YouTube TV's caption setting applies to all channels and videos on that device. Once you turn captions off, they stay off for everything you watch until you turn them back on. If you want captions for one channel but not others, you would need to toggle the CC button each time you switch.
Do I need to turn off captions on every device I use?
Yes. Each device (phone, tablet, TV, computer) has its own caption setting. If you turn captions off on your phone, they may still be on when you watch YouTube TV on your smart TV. You need to change the setting separately on each device.
What if my TV remote has a caption button that keeps turning captions back on?
Your TV's built-in caption system is separate from YouTube TV. Press your TV's menu button, find Closed Captions or Accessibility settings, and turn captions off there. You can also check your remote's manual to see if the caption button can be disabled in the TV's settings.
Are YouTube TV captions the same as my cable box captions?
No. YouTube TV captions come from the YouTube TV app, while your cable or satellite box has its own caption system. Both can be on at the same time. If you see double captions, turn off captions on one device or the other.
Why do some shows have captions and others don't?
Not all channels provide captions for all programs. Live sports, breaking news, and some specialty content may not include captions even if the channel usually does. If captions are unavailable, the CC button will be grayed out or inactive.