How to Turn On Closed Captions on Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus lets you show closed captions on most of its titles while you watch. The setting is in the video player, so you can switch captions on or off from the same screen during playback. This guide covers the browser, the mobile app and TV or streaming devices, then explains how to confirm the captions work and what to do when they don't.

Before you start

Paramount Plus delivers captions as part of the stream. Your device does not generate them, so you need an active subscription, a working internet connection and a title that includes a caption track. Captions are not available for every title or in every language, and live programming can behave differently from on-demand shows and movies.

Update the Paramount Plus app or your browser to the current version if you can. Player layouts change between releases, and older versions may place or label the captions control differently. On some TVs and streaming devices, the device's own accessibility caption setting also affects whether captions appear in apps. Find where that setting is on your device before you begin.

Step-by-step instructions

Every version uses the same basic method: start playing a title, open the player controls and choose a caption option. The control's label depends on the device. It may say CC, Subtitles, or Audio and Subtitles, or it may appear as a speech bubble icon.

In a web browser

• Sign in to Paramount Plus and start playing the show or movie.
• Move the mouse over the video to bring up the player controls.
• Select the captions or subtitles icon in the control bar.
• Choose the caption language you want. To turn captions off later, return to the same menu and choose Off.

In the mobile app

• Open the Paramount Plus app and start playing a title.
• Tap the screen once to display the player controls.
• Tap the captions or subtitles icon.
• Select a caption language, or select Off to hide captions again.

On a smart TV or streaming device

• Start playing the title in the Paramount Plus app.
• Use the remote to open the player controls. On many devices you press a direction button or the select button during playback.
• Move to the captions, subtitles or audio and subtitles option and select it.
• Choose the caption language, then return to playback.
• If the app has no caption option, open your device's accessibility or caption settings and check whether captions are enabled there.

Some players and devices also let you change how captions look, such as text size, color or background. When this option exists, it is usually in the player's caption menu or in the device's system accessibility settings. Availability depends on the device, so don't expect every option on every platform.

Check the output

Play a part of the title with dialogue and confirm that text appears on screen in the language you chose. Closed captions often include sound descriptions and speaker labels as well as spoken words, which can help you tell them apart from a plain subtitle track if both are listed.

Check that the captions keep pace with the speech and don't cover important on-screen text. Live streams can show a short delay. If captions lag noticeably on recorded content, see the fixes below. Also check whether your choice carries over to the next episode or title. Some devices remember the setting and others may need it again, so don't assume it syncs across all your devices.

Common problems and next steps

No caption option in the player: the title may not have a caption track, or the app version may be out of date. Try a different title to see whether the option appears there. If it does, the first title probably lacks captions. If it doesn't, update or reinstall the app, then restart the device.

Captions are turned on but nothing shows: turn captions off and on again in the player, then restart playback. On TV devices, check the system-level caption setting, because it can conflict with the in-app choice. Your TV's own caption setting for broadcast channels usually does not control captions inside streaming apps.

Captions are out of sync: stop playback and start the title again, or close and reopen the app. An unstable connection can also disrupt playback, so check your network if the problem continues across several titles.

Captions appear on their own or in the wrong language: check the language selected in the player's caption menu, then check whether captions are enabled in your device's accessibility settings, since that can switch them on automatically in apps.

If captions are missing or wrong on one specific title while others work, contact Paramount Plus support through the app or your account. Give them the title, the episode, your device and your app version so they can identify the problem.