On any device, Hulu offers you the option of getting closed captions for your Hulu shows and movies. So whether you have hearing difficulties, need subtitles to understand a foreign film, or just want to watch some videos in silence, you can access them.
However, the method of enabling the Hulu closed caption feature depends on the type of device you are using. It also depends on the version of Hulu you are using.
Whatever the case, once you enable it, you should start seeing closed captions for future videos you play. As a result, you won’t have to worry about changing your settings on that device.
How to Enable Hulu.com and Mobile Captions
For phones, computers, and tablets:
- Tap on the gear icon, which appears at the top or bottom of the video you’re playing.
- This will prompt the settings menu, as well as some additional steps that will vary by device.
Android and iOS apps for Hulu
If you happen to be using the current Hulu app on a mobile device,
- Click “On” underneath “Subtitles and Captions.”
- Under the “Subtitle Language” option, select your desired subtitle language.
The Hulu Classic app
If you’re using the classic Hulu app,
- Simply click “On” for the “Closed Captions” option.
Hulu.com
Using the Hulu website?
- Just click on “Subtitles.” This will enable you to see the available subtitle languages.
- Simply click on the one you want to use.
How to Enable Hulu Captions on TV
As easy as it may sound, being able to find where to enable captions on Hulu when you use a device like an Amazon Fire TV Stick or Roku can be a lot trickier. This is because the method largely depends on your system and TV.
- Start by using your remote to access the Hulu settings option. This involves swiping up when you are watching a video on your device. For those devices that are using an older version of the Hulu app, you may need to swipe up twice to access the settings.
- Then you should be able to locate a “Subtitles & Captions” option. Select the option to enable captions, and then set your preferred caption language.
Change how closed captions appear.
In case you want to change the Hulu subtitle color, you can easily do so from within the Hulu app or website. In some cases, you may be required to go into your device’s main accessibility settings instead. In either case, you can select a font style, color, and text size to fit your preferences.
For Hulu.com: How to Get Closed Captioning on Hulu
If you’re using the Hulu website, you’ll see the “Settings” link in your subtitle settings, which will open the subtitle formatter.
How to Get Closed Captioning on Hulu App for iOS:
Do you use an iPhone or iPad? Then understand that you won’t be able to adjust the subtitle styles in the Hulu app. Rather:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select “Accessibility” and choose the “Subtitles & Captioning” option.
- You can click on “Style” to choose a preset or custom style for systemwide subtitles, click on “Style.”
The Hulu app for Android and TV
For both Android and television devices:
- Access the app’s “Account” menu.
- Choose “Settings”
- Next, select “Subtitles & Captions” to see the formatter.
How to Troubleshoot Hulu Closed Caption Issues
Note that, even though you turn on the Hulu closed caption option, you still may not always see captions when you watch videos. For instance, commercials usually don’t have captions. Also, some TV shows and movies may simply have no captions available yet. You can check your settings again to ensure that captions are still on.
You may also encounter cases where the subtitle language is not what you want. Even if the desired language is missing for some content, you can try going through the Hulu Change Subtitle Language process. This will help you confirm and update your settings.
Finally, you may notice that your captions don’t line up well with the speakers on the screen. To fix this bug, you can easily reboot the Hulu app or your device. Or, check to see if the problem affects other videos. On the other hand, the Hulu support team can take any bug reports and try to help you get your subtitles back in sync.