How to Manage Subtitles for Netflix [All Major Devices]

Netflix makes it easy to customize your subtitles however you want. Whether it’s font size, subtitle language, a disable option, and so on. It even lets you choose dubbed audio on various movies and TV shows.

The whole experience can be personalized to your liking. Plus, accessing the subtitle controls is very straightforward on most devices. You also use the device’s subtitle options that will override any you set in Netflix, which is beneficial when Netflix does not provide advanced settings—in reference to Roku, Fire Stick, etc.

As you’ll soon notice, turning Netflix subtitles on and off requires you to follow the same path on any device. The only minor exceptions or differences in steps are really in terms of wording, certain options, and the device’s options.

Manage Subtitles from a Firestick Device

If you have a Fire TV remote, it’s very easy to turn subtitles on and off and switch the language (limited to streaming source). All other subtitle options require access to your account via a web browser.

1. From the streaming title’s description page, scroll down and select Audio & Subtitles or during playback in Netflix, press the down button on the remote (bottom of circle button) to highlight the AUDIO & SUBTITLES option. Press the Select button (middle of the circle) on the remote to open the subtitle menu. The icon is in the top-left section of your screen.
   
2. Choose your subtitle settings, including turning it on or off and choosing the language (based on the media’s availability). Changes will reflect automatically. No need for a save or submit option.
   

Manage Netflix Subtitles from a Roku Device

Adjusting Netflix subtitle options on a Roku Device is not any different than on an Amazon Fire Stick. The navigation and choices remain the same, whether you do it from the title’s description page or during playback. Therefore, you can adjust basic subtitle options using the choices within the Roku Netflix App. Advanced control must be done within your Netflix account using a browser.

1. During playback, press the up button on your Roku Remote and choose Audio & Subtitles. at the top-left corner. You can also access Audio & Subtitles from the media description page by scrolling down and choosing Audio & Subtitles.
   
2. Choose your subtitle language and audio.

Manage Netflix Subtitles from an Android or iPhone

Just like Roku and Fire Stick, Android and iOS let you change the subtitle language and audio language during playback. However, you cannot access any options from the title’s description page like with Roku and Fire Stick devices.

1. Launch your Netflix Android App (or iOS app) and select a title to play. While streaming, tap the screen and select Audio & Subtitles at the bottom.
   
2. Choose your subtitle language and audio language, then tap Apply.
   

Manage Netflix Subtitles from a PC or Mac

1. Launch your Netflix app or sign in to your Netflix account from your browser.
   

   

2. Start a movie or TV show and let your cursor hover over the screen while the video is playing.
3. Click the Dialog icon.

   

4. Make your subtitle (or audio) selections.

Manage Netflix Subtitles from a Smart TV

1. Launch Netflix on your TV.
2. Choose an episode or movie.
3. Go over to the options panel.
4. Select the Audio & Subtitles option.
5. Make your subtitle selections.
6. Go back to the options panel.
7. Press Play to start playback with the new settings.

The first method works on most Smart TVs. However, on the newest models, you can manage Netflix subtitles even after playback starts.

1. Launch the Netflix app.
2. Start playback on an episode or movie.
3. Press the Up arrow on your remote.
4. Select the Dialog icon.
5. Make your changes and exit the Dialog menu.

Alternatively, you can press the Down arrow to bring up the audio and subtitles menu.

Additional FAQ

In case you’re wondering what other things you can do with your subtitles for your Netflix titles, here are some answers to the more popular user questions.

Can I Change the Subtitle Language?

Changing the subtitle language on Netflix isn’t an issue, most of the time. But like many other appearance options, you have to do it from the profile settings menu.

1. Visit the Netflix website and log in to your account.
2. Select the profile you want to edit the subtitles on.
3. Now, click on the dropdown menu in the top, right-corner of the screen and select Account.
4. Scroll down and click on the profile you want to edit under Profile & Parental Controls.
5. Next, scroll down and click on Language.
6. Select the preferred language from the list.

This new setting will remain for future playbacks.

You can also change the language as you’re streaming a video. However, Netflix offers many languages. And while you’re streaming a video your options will be limited. Although Netflix says that those languages should be the ones most relevant to you based on your region, that might not always be the case.

In the case of downloaded videos, only two languages will be available. That’s why making a profile-wide default language change may be more useful to you.

Subtitles Keep Coming Back On What Can I Do?

There are a couple of reasons why you may not be able to turn off subtitles when watching content on Netflix. Maybe your device is of an older generation. Some 2011 and 2012 Smart TVs are known to have issues with subtitles management. Unfortunately, if that’s the case, your only course of action would be to use a different device.

Another reason could be that you’ve made changes to your subtitles while you were viewing something from the Netflix Kids section.

Any changes you make while watching a Kids title will be one-time events. Those settings won’t be saved and won’t carry to other episodes or movies.

The fix is to watch a title that falls under the Teens or above rating. Start playback, make your subtitle changes and they’ll be saved on future playbacks.

One more reason why you may not be able to turn off titles has to do with licensing. Some titles will always have subtitles turned on when viewed in another region. This may also force you to see subtitles in the primary language of your region.

Can Text Size Be Adjusted?

You can make many adjustments to the subtitles. But unlike turning the subtitles on or off and changing the language, you have to do this from your Account settings. Here’s how you can do it from your browser:

1. Go to their website and log into your Netflix account.
2. Go to your Account page by clicking on the dropdown menu in the upper right-corner of the screen.
3. Select the profile you want to edit under Profile & Parental Controls by clicking the arrow next to it.
4. Now, click on Subtitle Appearance from the list of options.
5. From there you can change the font, text size, shadows, etc.
   

   

6. Hit the Save button.

These changes will remain going forward but only on the profile, you’ve selected.

Similar steps can be followed from a Smart TV, USB dongle, smartphone, or any other device you use Netflix on. Changing the appearance of subtitles is done from profile/account settings and not from the video options while a video is playing.

For example, the pathing is a bit different on an iPhone. Instead of going through profile settings, your path would look more like this:

• Settings > Accessibility > Subtitles & Captioning > Enable Closed Captions + SDH

Again, the wording may change depending on what version of iOS you’re running. The same thing applies to Apple TVs. Just make sure to also disable the Video Override option from the Style menu. Otherwise, your custom settings won’t be saved.

Can the Font Size Be Changed?

Yes, the font size can be changed. Font size and text size are essentially the same. If you follow the previously mentioned tips you can make the subtitles as small or as big as you need them.

My Subtitles Aren’t Syncing Properly. What Can I Do?

This probably doesn’t happen as often as audio and video desyncing. Nevertheless, it is a known issue. Unfortunately, there aren’t many “official” solutions. It often happens that the problem isn’t with Netflix itself but rather your device.

So, if you’re watching Netflix on a PC or Mac you could try playing a different title to see if the problem persists. If it does, you might want to try a different browser or internet source to see if that helps.

If you’re watching from a mobile device you might want to consider restarting your device or even reinstalling the Netflix app. You may also want to check for updates for your device’s OS. Some failed updates or new patches could cause inconsistencies in how some app features run.

Another thing you can try is to slightly rewind the video, or fast forward a few seconds and then rewind.

You can also try turning the subtitles on and off, and even changing the language once or twice. You can do this by following the advice outlined earlier in this article.

You should also know that some older devices may experience this issue more often than new ones. And, in some cases, specific devices such as Chromecasts or Apple TVs may encounter this issue more often than other devices.

Final Wrap Up

As you can see, there’s little you can’t do with your subtitles on the Netflix streaming platform. The platform is all about flexibility and being accessible to as many regions of the world as possible. As such, there’s a lot of customization or personalization that you can do.

Regardless of which device you’re using, it shouldn’t be difficult to access subtitle settings or appearance settings. Now that you know all the basics, and a few tips and tricks, let us know what changes or improvements you wish Netflix would make in the future? Or is the current offering enough for you to dub it the King of streaming, from a user experience standpoint?