How to turn on Netflix closed captions and customize them on any device

Meira Gebel

Aug 12, 2020, 21:24 IST

How to turn on Netflix closed captions and customize them on any device

You can easily change the font, size, or language of your Netflix subtitles.gorodenkoff/Getty Images

You can set up Netflix closed captions or subtitles for any show or movie, with a variety of languages and customizations available.
Netflix users can choose the type of font, background, and preferred languages for subtitles in Account Settings.

Subtitles on Netflix are a great way to keep up with the dialogue of your favorite show or movie without missing a beat, as well as for those who are hearing impaired, or if you are watching a show in a different language.

Netflix gives viewers the option to select a variety of subtitle preferences, including font style, background color, and text size. While viewing a video, you can also update your preferred language for subtitles.

Accessing subtitle preferences is simple, and enabling those preferences can be done in just a few easy steps, either within the video player window or through Netflix Account Settings.

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How to turn on Netflix closed captions on your device

If you're using a computer, tablet, or smartphone: After you've selected a title to watch, tap or click the middle of the video player, then select the "Audio & Subtitles" icon and choose a subtitle option.

If you're using a smart TV or gaming console: While viewing the selected title, use your remote's "down" or "up" arrow to access the video player menu. Then, select the "Audio & Subtitles" icon and choose a subtitle option.

If you're using an Apple TV: Depending on the Apple TV model you have, either hold down the center button or swipe down on your Apple TV remote while the selected title is playing. Then, select the "Audio & Subtitles" icon and choose a subtitle option.

How to edit the subtitle appearance in Netflix Account Settings on a computer

1. Log into your Netflix account on your preferred web browser.

2. In the top right corner, hover over your profile icon and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

3. On the next screen, under "Profile & Parental Controls," select the profile you would like to manage subtitles for.

4. Under the profile's account settings, select "Change" in the "Subtitle appearance" category.

5. Next, using the dropdown menus, select the desired font and shadow for the subtitle appearance.

6. Then, select the desired text size, and colors for the subtitle background and window. Subtitle appearance is not available to viewers whose primary language is Thai, Hebrew, Arabic, Romanian, Korean, or Japanese.

7. Select "Save" at the bottom. To reset your subtitle preferences, follow the steps above and then select the "Reset to default" button.

8. Open Netflix on your device, and begin watching. Your updated subtitle preferences should now be reflected in the video.

How to change preferred audio or subtitle language in Netflix on your device

1. Launch Netflix on your device.

2. Select a TV show or movie to watch.

3. While the video is playing, hover your mouse or tap in the center of the screen: The menu items will appear.

4. At the bottom right corner of the video player, select the "Audio & Subtitles" icon (resembling a text bubble).

5. On the right side of the pop-up menu, you will see "Subtitles" where you can disable subtitles, or select from a list of languages. Netflix usually lists five to seven languages it thinks are relevant based on your location data or preferred settings. Select the desired option, and a white check mark will appear beside your selection and will begin populating on the screen.

6. On the left side of the pop-up menu, you will see "Audio" where you can change your audio preference, if there are available audio options other than English.