To put subtitles on a TCL smart TV, you first need to know which operating system your TV runs, because the settings are completely different for TCL Roku TVs and TCL Google or Android TVs. Once you identify your platform, you can enable system-wide captions or use the subtitle controls inside your streaming apps, and you can also put subtitles on Disney plus directly through its in-app profile settings.
Identify your TCL smart TV platform
Your TCL TV either uses Roku TV or Google TV (sometimes called Android TV). Press the Home button on your remote. If you see a row of channel icons like Netflix and Hulu, you have a TCL Roku TV. If you see a row of app icons and a Google Assistant button on the remote, you have a TCL Google TV. The subtitle settings for each platform are located in completely different menus.
How to put subtitles on a TCL Roku TV
System-wide captions on a TCL Roku TV are controlled from the main settings menu. This method makes captions appear for any content that supports them, including live TV and local media.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Accessibility (or Captions if Accessibility is not listed).
- Choose Captions mode.
Inside Captions mode, you can select when captions appear. Choose On always to have subtitles show whenever they are available. Choose On replay to see captions only after pressing the Replay button. Choose On mute to see captions only when the volume is muted. To quickly toggle captions during playback, press the Star (*) button on the remote and select Closed captioning. You can also customize the look of captions by going to Settings > Accessibility > Caption style, where you can adjust text font, size, color, background, and window settings. If you need captions in a specific app, you may first need to put subtitles on YouTube or other streaming services individually.
How to put subtitles on a TCL Google or Android TV
System-wide captions on a TCL Google TV are found in the Accessibility menu. This setting applies to most built-in apps and live TV, but not all streaming services.
- From the Home screen, select the Settings gear icon.
- Scroll to Accessibility.
- Select Captions.
- Turn on Display.
Within the Captions settings, you can customize the language, text size, and style by selecting Display options or Custom. You can change the font, color, opacity, and edge effect. For broadcast TV channels on TCL Android TV, press the Settings button on the remote, select Channels, then choose Subtitle and turn it on.
Using advanced caption features on TCL TVs
TCL Google TVs include a Live Caption feature that generates real-time captions for almost any audio playing on the TV. To use it, go to Settings > Accessibility and turn on Live Caption. This works for phone calls, podcasts, and videos that do not have built-in subtitles. Some TCL TVs with the TCL AI app offer Real-time Subtitles. You can activate this feature from the Sidebar or Quick Settings to convert system audio or ambient sounds into text in real time, supporting multiple languages and translation.
Why subtitles might not work in your streaming apps
System-wide caption settings on TCL Roku and Google TVs may not apply to streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or Prime Video. These apps have their own internal subtitle controls that override the TV’s system settings. To turn on subtitles in these apps, start playing a movie or show, then press OK, Enter, Up, or Down on the remote to open the playback options. Look for an Audio & Subtitles icon or a CC icon, and select your preferred language. For the fastest way to turn on subtitles in any streaming app, check the app’s own playback controls rather than the TV’s system settings.
