Start the movie or episode, open the playback controls, choose Audio & Subtitles, then select a subtitle language or Off. On phones, tablets, and computers, tap or click the video; on most TVs, streaming players, consoles, and Blu-ray players, press the remote’s up or down arrow. On Apple TV, swipe up or press the up arrow. Menu placement and labels vary by device.
Choose the setting you need
| What you want to change | Where to change it |
|---|---|
| Turn subtitles on or off now | Playback controls → Audio & Subtitles |
| Switch language for the current title | Playback controls → Audio & Subtitles |
| Make a language a preferred choice | Your Netflix profile’s language settings |
| Change font, size, shadow, or background | Subtitle appearance settings |
| Find titles in a language | Netflix’s subtitle browse page |
Change subtitles while watching
- Start playing a movie or episode.
- Reveal the player controls: tap or click the screen on a phone, tablet, or computer; press up or down on a TV remote, streaming player, Blu-ray player, cable box, or game console; or swipe up/press up on Apple TV.
- Select Audio & Subtitles. Some televisions display the language choices directly instead of an icon.
- Choose a listed subtitle language, or choose Off, then resume playback.
Netflix’s device-specific controls are documented at Netflix Help.
Turn Netflix subtitles off
During playback, open Audio & Subtitles and select Off. A title can still show subtitles for dialogue spoken in another language, even when general subtitles are off.
Change the subtitle language
For the current movie or episode
Open Audio & Subtitles and select another available language. On some TVs, choose Other to see additional choices. The list is limited to tracks supplied for that title in your country and on your device.
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Set preferred languages for a profile
Web browser: Open the Netflix Account page → Profiles → choose a profile → Languages. Select preferred audio and subtitle languages, then choose Save.
Android, iPhone, or iPad: Open Netflix → My Netflix → tap the profile name → Manage Profiles → choose the profile → Audio & Subtitles. Mobile changes save automatically.
TV or TV streaming device: From the profile-selection screen, choose the profile’s Edit icon, then Language. These preferences influence what Netflix prioritizes; they cannot add a track that a title does not offer. See Netflix’s language instructions.
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Change subtitle size, font, color, or background
Netflix supports subtitle and closed-caption font, size, shadow, and background-color controls.
Using a web browser
- Open the Netflix Account page.
- Choose Profiles, then select the profile.
- Select Subtitle appearance.
- Adjust the options and choose Save.
- Close and reopen Netflix on a viewing device if the change is not immediately visible.
On a smart TV or TV streaming device
- Start a title and pause it.
- Open the player controls and choose Settings.
- Adjust Size and Style, then resume playback.
If Settings is missing, that device or subtitle language may not support appearance controls. Some older devices may not display every selected style.
On Android
- Open Netflix and tap My Netflix.
- Tap the profile name → Manage Profiles → choose the profile.
- Tap Subtitle Appearance and select the style you want.
- Use Restore Default Settings to undo the changes.
Netflix says appearance changes made in the Android app apply only to titles played on that Android mobile device. For iPhone and iPad, Netflix directs users to Apple’s subtitle-appearance controls rather than providing the Android path. Details are in Netflix’s appearance guide.
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Subtitles, closed captions, and SDH
Subtitles generally transcribe spoken dialogue. Closed captions can also identify speakers and describe important sounds, music, or effects. SDH (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) is a subtitle option that includes those sound details when supplied. SDH may be unavailable for a particular season or episode; a dialogue-only track may be the only alternative. Netflix explains accessibility terminology at its accessibility guide.
Why a subtitle language is missing
- The title, country or region, or licensing agreement does not include that language.
- Your profile’s preferred languages have not been set.
- The device cannot support that language. Devices made before 2014 are a general warning, not a universal cutoff.
- Different seasons or episodes use different subtitle sources; older licensed seasons can have fewer tracks.
- A newly released episode’s subtitles may not yet be complete.
- The title is downloaded, which limits the choices shown.
Browse by language at netflix.com/browse/subtitles or browse audio at netflix.com/browse/audio. Availability still depends on location and the individual title. See Netflix’s language-availability explanation.
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Why downloads show fewer subtitle choices
For downloaded titles, Netflix displays the two most relevant languages. Delete the download and stream the title while connected to the internet if the language you need is absent. Streaming may reveal more choices, but title, region, and device limits still apply.
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- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Fix subtitles that are too large or changes that do not apply
Subtitles are oversized
Check both Netflix’s Subtitle appearance settings and the device’s accessibility or caption settings. If both enlarge text, reduce one of them; device-level changes can affect other apps too. Netflix’s guidance is at Subtitles are too large.
Appearance changes are not visible
- Confirm that you edited the profile currently in use.
- Close and reopen Netflix.
- On Android, switch to another profile and back.
- On a smart TV, open Netflix’s help menu and choose Reload Netflix. If the menu is at the top, move left to the profile icon → Get Help → Reload Netflix. If it is on the left, choose Get Help at the bottom → Reload Netflix.
- Try another title or device, then contact Netflix if the issue continues.
These troubleshooting steps come from Netflix’s subtitle-appearance support page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Kids profiles and subtitles that keep returning
Subtitle and audio preferences may not be saved when most Kids titles are watched from an adult profile. They are saved when viewing from a Kids profile. A one-title playback change also does not replace the profile preference, and another household member using the same profile can change it. Netflix’s recommendation to play a title rated Teens or above for two to three minutes concerns saving a preferred audio language, not a universal subtitle fix. Foreign-language dialogue can also trigger subtitles independently.
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Do settings work on every device?
Playback language choices are made per title. Browser-based appearance settings are profile-based and intended to affect Netflix viewing across devices, while Android app appearance changes are limited to that Android device. Older hardware and some subtitle languages may not support every style option, so Netflix settings and device capabilities can differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Netflix always use one subtitle language?
Set that language under your profile’s Audio & Subtitles or Languages settings. Netflix will prioritize it when the title and region provide that track, but it cannot create unavailable subtitles.
Why are subtitles available on my phone but not my TV?
The TV may not support the language, the title may have different tracks by device or season, or the phone may be streaming while the TV is using a download. Check the title’s Audio & Subtitles list and device compatibility.
What if Netflix does not show the subtitle icon?
Reveal playback controls using the device’s normal gesture or remote button. Some TVs show language choices directly, without the subtitle icon.
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Can I change subtitles on a Kids profile?
Yes, but preference-saving behavior differs. Preferences are saved when titles are watched from a Kids profile and may not be saved for most Kids titles watched from an adult profile.
Quick Recap
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