Turning subtitles on and off on the TV

Turn off subtitles on the TV

There are several ways to turn off subtitles. Which method makes the most sense depends on where the subtitles are coming from and how they were turned on. In most cases, a single button press is all it takes; sometimes you'll need to go through the menu.

Using the subtitle button on the remote control

Many remote controls have a dedicated button for subtitles. It is often labeled SUB, SUBT, or STTL, or features a speech bubble icon. Pressing it turns off the subtitles; pressing it again turns them back on. If there isn’t a dedicated button, the function is often hidden behind a button labeled “Options,” “Language,” or “Audio,” or behind a gear icon. The exact label varies depending on the remote control.

Through the TV menu

If you can't find a suitable button, you'll need to go through the TV menu. There, subtitles are usually found under "Accessibility," "Visual and Hearing Aids," "Sound," or "Language." If you set this feature to "Off" here, subtitles will not appear, even when switching between channels. Some devices distinguish between regular subtitles and subtitles for the hearing impaired.

Teletext subtitles

If the subtitles come from teletext, they cannot be turned off using the standard subtitle button. In this case, however, simply close the teletext window or exit the subtitle page. As soon as the teletext page is no longer active, the subtitles will disappear.

HbbTV or Color Buttons

If subtitles were enabled through an interactive feature offered by the broadcaster, they are often controlled via HbbTV or a color button—usually red. In this case, the “normal” subtitle button does not always work. You’ll need to reopen the interactive menu and disable the subtitles there. Whether this option is available depends on the broadcaster, the device, and the reception method.

If you can't turn off the subtitles

If the subtitles remain on the screen even after you press a button, it's usually not because of the TV itself, but because of where the text is coming from.

1. Subtitles are permanently enabled in the menu

If the subtitle feature has been permanently enabled in the menu, the TV will automatically display subtitles for every available program. Pressing the subtitles button briefly will disable them only for the current program; they will reappear when you switch to the next channel. In this case, you’ll need to reset the setting in the menu under Accessibility or Language. The exact location of this setting varies from device to device, but it’s usually found in the main menu, under the Accessibility or Audio section.

2. Subtitles are permanently embedded in the video

So-called "open captions" are permanently embedded in the video, such as in foreign-language segments or in some recordings. These embedded captions generally cannot be turned off via the TV menu because they are not a separate, switchable data stream, but rather part of the video itself.

3. Subtitles come from an app or a receiver

For media libraries and streaming apps, subtitles are not controlled through the TV menu but through the app’s player. If you’ve selected a subtitle track there, you can only turn it off there as well. If the TV signal is routed through an external set-top box or receiver, that device is often responsible for the subtitles, in which case you’ll need to use its own remote control or menu.

Turn subtitles back on

To turn it on, follow the same steps as for turning it off, but in the opposite direction. This always requires that the broadcaster or service actually provide subtitles for the program. If the subtitle track is missing, the TV cannot generate subtitles.

Via a button or the menu

Pressing the subtitles button turns on the subtitles, if they are available. If you need subtitles regularly, you can enable them permanently in the menu under "Accessibility" or "Language." They will then appear automatically for every eligible program, without you having to turn them on each time. If a program does not offer subtitles, the feature will remain inactive until a program with subtitles is airing.

About Teletext

For teletext subtitles, first open the teletext menu, then select the appropriate subtitle page. The page number depends on the program and may vary by channel. Once the page is active, the subtitles will appear in sync with the program.

What types of subtitles are there?

The fact that the process for turning subtitles on and off varies depending on the program is due to the different types of subtitles. They are transmitted differently from a technical standpoint and are therefore controlled differently.

The source of the subtitles determines how they can be controlled, which is why the subtitle button isn't always enough.

In addition, a distinction is made between open and closed captions. Closed captions can be turned on and off. Open captions are those that are permanently superimposed on the image and remain visible regardless of the TV's settings.

For many programs, you also have the option to choose between standard subtitles and closed captions. These not only reproduce the dialogue but also describe sounds, music, or a change in the speaker. They are primarily intended for viewers with hearing impairments. On the TV, you can usually select them separately from the standard subtitles.

One special feature is live subtitles for news, sports, or talk shows. These are often generated during the broadcast and therefore appear with a slight delay. Occasional typos or omissions are due to technical reasons and are not a sign of a problem with the TV.

Adjust Subtitles

With digital subtitles, you can control not only whether subtitles are displayed, but also how they are displayed. Depending on the device, several settings are available to improve readability.

Select a language

If a program offers multiple subtitle tracks, you can select the language you want. Some devices allow you to set a preferred language and a secondary language. In media libraries and streaming apps, the language is usually selected directly in the player. The specific program determines which tracks are available.

Font size, style, and position

Depending on the device, you can adjust the size, color, contrast, and background of digital subtitles. Larger text and a darker background improve readability, especially when the screen is bright or you’re sitting farther away. In some cases, you can also change the position so that the subtitles don’t cover important parts of the image or existing on-screen text.