If you watch a show or movie through Netflix, it only takes a few clicks to bring up the subtitles. Most devices can display subtitles on Netflix. However, please note that not all movies and television shows have these subtitles, and not all provide languages other than English.
Step
Method 1 of 11: PC and Mac
Step 1. Play the video you want to add subtitles to
You can add this text to the video stream via a web browser.
Step 2. Move the mouse while the video is playing
The video playback control display will appear.
Step 3. Click the “Dialog” button
This button is shaped like a speech bubble. If you can't see it, it means your video doesn't have subtitles.
Step 4. Use the drop-down menu to select the desired text
Available subtitles will depend on the content. The selected text will appear immediately.
- If you can't see the selected text, try disabling your web browser extension. See Disabling Add Ons for more information.
- Some users have reported problems with Internet Explorer and the Windows Netflix app. If you're using one of these and subtitles don't work properly, try another browser.
Method 2 of 11: iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Step 1. Play the video you want to watch in the Netflix app
You can enable subtitles supported by the application.
Step 2. Tap the screen to display the video playback controls
This can only be done while the video is running.
Step 3. Tap on the “Dialog” button in the top right corner
This button is in the form of a speech bubble and will display audio and subtitle options.
Step 4. Select the “Subtitles” label if needed
This will display the other available language texts. iPad will show both options at once.
Step 5. Tap the text you want to use, then tap "OK
" The subtitles will appear immediately and the video will play back.
Method 3 of 11: Apple TV
Step 1. Make sure your Apple TV is on the latest version
If you have an Apple TV 2 or 3, you will need to be running the software version 5.0 or above. If you're using an Apple TV 4, you'll need to have tvOS 9.0 or above installed.
Step 2. Open the subtitles menu while the video is playing
This method differs depending on the Apple TV model you have:
- Apple TV 2 and 3. Press and hold the button in the center of the remote control.
- Apple TV 4. Swipe down on the touch screen on the remote.
Step 3. Select your subtitles
Use the remote to highlight the text you want to select. Press the “Select” button on the remote to display the text.
Method 4 of 11: Chromecast
Step 1. Open the Netflix app on the device that controls your Chromecast
Subtitle options will be changed using the device that controls the Chromecast, such as an Android or iOS device.
Step 2. Tap the screen of your Chromecast device to display the video playback controls
This control can only appear when a video is playing.
Step 3. Tap the “Dialog” button
It's in the upper-right corner and looks like a speech bubble.
Step 4. Tap the "Subtitles" label and select the desired subtitles
When tapping “OK”, subtitles will appear immediately.
Method 5 of 11: Roku
Step 1. Select the video you want to watch
Don't play the video just yet because the subtitle options will be changed on the “Description” screen.
If you have a Roku 3, the subtitle options can be accessed during video playback by pressing the down button on the remote
Step 2. Click the "Audio & Subtitles" option (Audio and Subtitles)
You can find it on the “Description” page of the video.
Step 3. Select the text you want to use
Available subtitles are determined by the video creator.
Step 4. Press "Back" to return to the Description screen
Your text selection will be saved.
Step 5. Play the video
Your new subtitles will appear in the video.
Method 6 of 11: Smart TV and Blu-ray Player
Step 1. Launch the Netflix app
Many Smart TVs have apps for watching Netflix. The subtitle conversion process varies depending on the device. Older versions of the device may not even be able to display subtitles.
Step 2. Select the video you want to watch to open the Description page
Step 3. Select the “Audio & Subtitles” option with your controller
It might be a text bubble, or it might say "Audio & Subtitles." If this button is not visible, your device does not support subtitles.
You can also open the menu by pressing the down button on the remote while the video is playing
Step 4. Select the desired subtitles
The text will appear immediately when the video is playing.
Step 5. Go back to the Description page and play the video
The text of your choice will be displayed.
If these steps don't work, your device doesn't support subtitles for Netflix
Method 7 of 11: PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
Step 1. Start playing the video whose subtitles you want to display
PS3 and PS4 support subtitles, as long as they are available on the content to be watched. The process is the same for both consoles.
Step 2. Press the bottom button on the controller to open the “Audio & Subtitles” menu
Step 3. Select "Audio & Subtitles" and press the button
This allows you to select subtitle options.
Step 4. Select the desired subtitle option
The text will appear immediately after the language is selected.
Method 8 of 11: Wii
Step 1. Open Netflix and select the title you want to watch
Don't play the video just yet. Go to the description page of the video you want to watch.
Step 2. Use the Wii Remote to click the “Dialog” button
It's shaped like a speech bubble and is on the right side of the screen. If it is not visible, the video does not support subtitles.
The Kids Profile can't change subtitles or audio options on the Wii
Step 3. Select the subtitles you want to appear
Use the Wii Remote to select the language you want it to appear on.
Step 4. Start playing the video
The selected subtitles will appear.
Method 9 of 11: Wii U
Step 1. Play video using Netflix channel
If you are using a Wii U, subtitles may appear while the video is playing.
Step 2. Select the Dialog button on the GamePad screen
Subtitle options will open on your GamePad display. If this option is not visible, the video has no subtitles.
Step 3. Select the subtitles you want to use
Tap or use GamePad controls to select the text you want to appear.
Step 4. Play the video again
Subtitles will appear on the screen.
Method 10 of 11: Xbox 360 and Xbox One
Step 1. Play the video where you want the subtitles to appear
Xbox One and Xbox 360 support subtitles. The process is the same for both consoles.
Step 2. Press the down button while the video is playing
The "Audio & Subtitles" option will appear.
Step 3. Select "Audio & Subtitles" and press the A button
Now, you can select the desired subtitles.
Step 4. Select your subtitle option
The text will appear immediately once selected.
Step 5. Turn off closed captioning (CC) on your console if subtitles don't go away
If CC is enabled on the whole system, the captions will still appear even if it's disabled on the video.
- Xbox 360: Press the “Guide” button on the controller and go to the “settings” menu, “Console Settings “, select “Display “and after that the “Closed Captioning “option. Select “Off” to disable CC system-wide. You can now go back to watching videos without subtitles.
- Xbox One: Press the Guide button on the controller and open the “settings” menu. Select "Closed Captioning" and select "Off." Your video no longer has captions.
Method 11 of 11: Android
Step 1. Play the video in the Netflix app
As long as the device supports the Netflix application, subtitles can appear.
Step 2. Tap the screen while the video is playing to bring up the video playback controls
Step 3. Tap the Dialog button to open subtitle options
This button is in the shape of a speech bubble, and can be found in the upper right corner of the device screen.
If this button is not present, the video has no subtitles
Step 4. Tap on the “Subtitles” label and select the subtitles you want to use
When you have selected the desired text, type “OK”. Subtitles will appear on the video.
Tips
- The video needs to be watched for more than 5 minutes after subtitles activate to set it to the default setting. The same goes for disabling subtitles.
- Closed captions (CC) are not available on the classic Roku model, but are available on the Roku 2 HD/XD/XS, Roku 3, Roku Streaming Stick, and Roku LT.
- New movies and television shows may not have subtitles right away, but will be added no later than 30 days after they appear on the website.
- All American Netflix movies and television shows should have subtitles. Following a lawsuit filed by the National Association for the Deaf, Netflix agreed to provide subtitles on all films and television shows since 2014.
