Closed captions make videos easier to understand, especially in noisy places or when you need accessibility support. However, many people prefer watching content without captions once they are no longer needed. If you’re trying to figure out how to perform a closed caption turn off, the steps depend on the device, app, or streaming service you’re using.
This guide explains how to turn off closed captions across popular devices, TVs, streaming platforms, and web browsers. You’ll also learn why captions sometimes keep turning back on and what to do if the setting doesn’t save.
Quick Answer
To turn off closed captions, open the video player’s settings while your content is playing, select Subtitles, Captions, or CC, and choose Off. If captions still appear, check your device’s accessibility settings because they can override app-specific preferences.
Why Closed Captions May Stay On
You might turn captions off in one app only to see them return in another. That’s because many devices have separate caption settings for the operating system and each individual streaming service.
Common reasons include:
- Accessibility settings are enabled on your device.
- The streaming app remembers a previous caption preference.
- Another user profile has captions turned on.
- Your TV or streaming device forces captions through its own settings.
- A browser extension or media player setting overrides the video player.
Checking both your device and app settings usually solves the problem.
How to Turn Off Closed Captions on Smart TVs
Most Smart TVs include a dedicated captions menu within the system settings. The exact location varies by manufacturer, but the process is generally similar.
Samsung Smart TVs
To disable captions on a Samsung TV:
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Open Settings.
- Select General or Accessibility.
- Choose Caption Settings.
- Switch Caption to Off.
If you’re using a streaming app, you may also need to disable subtitles within that app.
LG Smart TVs
For LG TVs:
- Press Settings on the remote.
- Open Accessibility.
- Find Closed Captions.
- Turn the feature off.
Some newer LG models also let you control captions directly from the Quick Settings menu.
Sony Smart TVs
On Sony televisions:
- Open Settings.
- Select Display & Sound or Accessibility.
- Choose Captions.
- Turn captions off.
If captions continue to appear, check the streaming service’s playback settings as well.
Roku TV
For Roku TVs:
- Press the Home button.
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Choose Caption Mode.
- Set it to Off.
You can also disable captions while a video is playing by opening the playback options menu.
Turn Off Closed Captions on Android Phones and Tablets
Android devices allow caption settings at both the system and app level.
To disable captions system-wide:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Caption Preferences or Hearing Enhancements.
- Turn off Closed Captions.
If captions still appear in YouTube, Netflix, or another streaming app, open that app’s playback controls and switch subtitles off separately.
Turn Off Closed Captions on iPhone and iPad
Apple devices include caption controls within Accessibility settings.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Subtitles & Captioning.
- Turn off Closed Captions + SDH.
For apps such as Apple TV or Netflix, you can also disable subtitles directly from the playback menu while watching a video.
Turn Off Closed Captions on Windows PCs
Windows includes built-in accessibility features for captions.
To disable them:
- Open Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Click Captions.
- Turn captions off.
Keep in mind that streaming websites usually have their own subtitle controls that work independently of Windows settings.
Turn Off Closed Captions on Mac
Mac users can manage caption settings through System Settings.
Here’s how:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Accessibility.
- Click Captions.
- Disable captions or adjust subtitle preferences as needed.
You may also need to turn subtitles off inside the streaming service you’re using.
Disable Closed Captions on Streaming Devices
Many people watch content through dedicated streaming hardware. These devices have separate accessibility settings that can affect every app installed on them.
Roku
Open Settings, choose Accessibility, then select Caption Mode and change it to Off.
Amazon Fire TV
Navigate to Settings, open Accessibility, select Closed Caption, and switch the feature off.
Apple TV
Go to Settings, select Accessibility, choose Subtitles and Captioning, then disable Closed Captions and SDH.
Chromecast with Google TV
Open Settings, select Accessibility, tap Captions, and turn them off.
Turn Off Closed Captions in Your Web Browser
If you’re watching videos in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari, captions usually come from the streaming website rather than the browser itself.
To disable them:
- Start playing the video.
- Open the player controls.
- Select CC, Subtitles, or the speech bubble icon.
- Choose Off.
If captions continue appearing across multiple websites, check whether your browser has accessibility extensions or live caption features enabled.
What to Do If Captions Won’t Turn Off
Sometimes captions remain on even after you’ve disabled them. In most cases, the issue is caused by conflicting settings rather than a software problem.
Try these solutions:
- Restart the app after changing the caption settings.
- Restart your TV, phone, or streaming device.
- Update the streaming app to the latest version.
- Check both device-level and app-level accessibility settings.
- Sign out and sign back into the streaming service.
- Clear the app cache if you’re using Android.
- Remove browser extensions that automatically generate captions.
- Reset accessibility settings if they continue overriding your preferences.
Most caption issues can be fixed by reviewing every place where subtitles or accessibility options are available, since many modern devices store these settings independently.
Turn Off Closed Captions on Popular Streaming Apps
Most streaming platforms let you control captions directly during playback. Even if your device has captions turned off, each app may save its own subtitle preferences.
Netflix
Netflix remembers your subtitle settings for each profile.
To turn captions off:
- Play a movie or TV show.
- Open the playback controls.
- Select Audio & Subtitles.
- Choose Off under Subtitles.
- Continue watching with captions disabled.
If captions return later, make sure another profile hasn’t saved different preferences.
YouTube
YouTube makes it easy to switch captions on or off.
To disable captions:
- Start a video.
- Tap or click the CC button if it appears.
- If the button is highlighted, select it to turn captions off.
- You can also open Settings, choose Subtitles/CC, and select Off.
Some videos include creator-uploaded captions, while others use automatic captions. Both can usually be disabled.
Amazon Prime Video
Prime Video stores subtitle settings for each account.
To turn them off:
- Start playing a title.
- Open the playback menu.
- Select Subtitles.
- Choose Off.
- Resume playback.
Disney+
Disney+ lets you change subtitle preferences during playback.
Follow these steps:
- Play any movie or show.
- Open the audio and subtitle menu.
- Select Off under subtitles.
- Save the setting by returning to the video.
Hulu
To remove captions on Hulu:
- Start streaming content.
- Open the playback controls.
- Select the subtitle option.
- Turn captions off.
If you’re watching live TV, some broadcasts may include captions provided by the broadcaster rather than Hulu.
Max
On Max:
- Play a video.
- Open the subtitle menu.
- Select Off.
- Continue watching.
Peacock
For Peacock:
- Begin playback.
- Open video settings.
- Select Subtitles.
- Choose Off.
Paramount+
To disable captions:
- Start your video.
- Open playback controls.
- Select subtitle settings.
- Turn subtitles off.
Why Closed Captions Keep Turning Back On
If you have to disable captions every time you watch something, one of these issues is usually responsible.
Accessibility Settings Override App Settings
Many TVs, phones, and streaming devices prioritize system accessibility settings. Even if you disable subtitles inside Netflix or YouTube, the operating system may enable them again.
Multiple User Profiles
Streaming services often save subtitle preferences separately for each profile. Switching profiles can make it seem like captions randomly turned back on.
App Updates
Some app updates reset playback preferences. Checking your subtitle settings after a major update can save frustration.
Different Devices Save Different Preferences
Turning captions off on your phone doesn’t automatically disable them on your TV, tablet, or laptop. Each device may store its own settings.
Live Broadcasts
Live television and sports broadcasts sometimes include captions controlled by the broadcaster. These may behave differently from captions on on demand content.
How to Make Caption Settings Stay Off
If captions keep reappearing, these tips often solve the problem permanently.
- Turn captions off in both the device settings and the streaming app.
- Restart the app after changing the setting.
- Update your TV or streaming device software.
- Install the latest version of your streaming apps.
- Remove unnecessary accessibility shortcuts that may enable captions.
- Check every user profile on shared accounts.
- Restart your device after making accessibility changes.
Closed Captions vs Subtitles
People often use these terms interchangeably, but they serve different purposes.
Closed captions include spoken dialogue along with important sounds, such as music cues, laughter, or background effects. They’re mainly designed for accessibility.
Subtitles usually translate spoken dialogue into another language and may not describe background sounds.
Most streaming platforms place both options in the same menu, making them easy to manage together.
Should You Turn Off Closed Captions?
The answer depends on how you watch content.
You may prefer captions off if:
- You want a cleaner viewing experience.
- You’re watching in a quiet room.
- Captions distract you from the visuals.
- You prefer focusing only on the dialogue.
You may want captions on if:
- You’re watching in a noisy environment.
- English isn’t your first language.
- You don’t want to miss fast dialogue.
- You’re watching late at night with low volume.
- Accessibility features improve your viewing experience.
There isn’t a right or wrong choice. Most modern devices let you switch captions on or off in just a few seconds, so you can adjust them whenever your viewing situation changes.
Final Thoughts
Turning off closed captions is usually a quick process, but the exact steps depend on your device, operating system, and streaming service. If captions continue appearing after you’ve disabled them, review both your accessibility settings and the app’s subtitle preferences. Once everything is configured correctly, your preferred setting should remain consistent across future viewing sessions.
Whether you prefer a distraction free screen or simply no longer need captions, knowing where these settings are located makes it easy to adjust them whenever you watch movies, TV shows, live sports, or online videos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off closed captions quickly?
Most video players include a CC, Subtitles, or speech bubble icon. Select it while the video is playing, then choose Off. If captions remain visible, check your device’s accessibility settings.
Why do captions keep turning back on?
This usually happens because your device has accessibility captions enabled, the streaming app saved a previous preference, or you’re using a different user profile. Turning captions off in both the app and your device settings often fixes the issue.
Are closed captions the same as subtitles?
Not exactly. Closed captions include spoken dialogue and descriptions of important sounds, while subtitles mainly display translated or transcribed speech. Many streaming services place both options in the same menu.
Can I turn off captions on every streaming service?
Yes. Popular platforms such as Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and Peacock all allow you to disable captions during playback. The steps may vary slightly, but the option is usually found in the playback settings.
Why won’t my Smart TV save my caption settings?
Some TVs reset caption preferences after software updates or when switching apps. Make sure captions are disabled in both the TV’s accessibility settings and the streaming app you’re using.
Can I disable captions for only one app?
Yes. Most streaming apps save subtitle preferences independently. Turning captions off in Netflix, for example, does not automatically disable them in YouTube or Disney+.
Do closed captions affect video quality?
No. Captions are simply a text overlay and do not reduce the quality or resolution of your video.
Can I customize captions instead of turning them off?
Yes. Many devices let you change the font, size, color, and background of captions. If you still need accessibility support, customizing the appearance may provide a better viewing experience than disabling captions completely.