How to Turn On Closed Captions on Prime Video

Prime Video delivers captions as a separate text track alongside the video stream, so you can switch them on or off during playback without restarting the title. The steps differ slightly between a web browser, the mobile app and TV apps, and the exact labels can change between app versions. This guide covers the general approach for each device type and how to confirm the captions work.

Before you start

Captions are provided by the Prime Video service, not generated on your device. Whether a title has them, and in which languages, depends on the title and can vary by region. If a title has no caption track, no setting on your device will create one.

• Sign in to Prime Video and start playing the title you want to watch. On most devices the caption controls only appear during playback.

• Update the Prime Video app or your browser if you can. Older versions may place the controls differently or lack some caption styling options.

• Know the difference between the two labels you may see. Closed captions usually include sound descriptions such as music or background noise and are often marked CC in the language list. Plain subtitles typically show dialogue only.

• On a smart TV or streaming device, find out whether the device has its own system-wide caption setting. It can work separately from the captions inside the Prime Video app.

Step-by-step instructions

In a web browser

• 1. Start playing the title and move your mouse over the video to show the player controls.

• 2. Look for the subtitles and audio control near the top or bottom of the player. It is usually shown as a speech bubble or text icon.

• 3. Under subtitles, choose the language you want. Pick the option marked CC if you want sound descriptions as well as dialogue.

• 4. To turn captions off, open the same control and choose Off.

In the mobile app on a phone or tablet

• 1. Start playback and tap the screen once to show the controls.

• 2. Tap the subtitles icon, usually a speech bubble.

• 3. Select a caption language and close the menu. Playback continues with captions on.

On a smart TV, streaming stick or game console

• 1. Start the title, then press the up, down or menu button on your remote to show the playback controls. Which button works depends on the device.

• 2. Highlight the subtitles or subtitles and audio option and select it.

• 3. Choose the caption language, then go back to the video.

Some apps let you change caption size, font or background. You may find these options inside the subtitles menu, in the Prime Video account settings, or in your device's accessibility settings. Location varies by platform, so check your app before assuming an option exists. All of these changes can be undone by switching captions off or resetting the style.

Check the output

• Play a section with dialogue and confirm the text appears and matches what is being said.

• Check that the selected language is correct and, if you chose a CC track, that sound descriptions appear.

• Watch for timing. Captions should appear roughly when lines are spoken. A consistent delay points to a playback or app issue rather than your settings.

• Start another episode or title to see whether your choice carries over. On some devices it does, on others you may need to select captions again.

Caption text is a separate track from the video encoding, so lowering streaming quality or bitrate should not remove captions. Caption quality and timing still depend on the track supplied for each title, and some titles have more complete captions than others.

Common problems and next steps

No caption option appears: confirm playback has actually started, then open the controls again. If the subtitles menu lists no languages, the title may not have captions in your region. Try a different title to see whether the problem is the title or your device.

Captions appear twice or overlap: your TV or streaming device's system captions may be on at the same time as Prime Video's own captions. Turn one of them off, usually the device-level setting, and keep the in-app captions.

Captions are out of sync or stop showing: pause and resume, or exit and restart the title. If that does not help, update or reinstall the app, or try the same title in a web browser to see whether the issue is tied to one device.

Text is too small or hard to read: look for caption style settings in the subtitles menu, your Prime Video account settings or your device's accessibility settings, and increase the size or add a background.

Captions are missing when casting or on downloaded titles: caption support can differ between casting to another screen and offline viewing. Select captions again on the device doing the playback. If the option is still missing, compare with streaming the same title directly on that device.