Netflix has three separate language settings, and knowing which is which saves a lot of frustration. The display language controls the menus and title names. The audio language is what the actors sound like. The subtitle language is the text on screen. If Netflix suddenly shows up in another language, or a show starts playing dubbed, one of these has been changed. This guide shows how to change each one on a computer, phone, tablet, and TV.
Quick answer
To change the menu language, go to your Account settings, open your profile, choose Language, pick a language, and save. To change audio or subtitles, start playing something, pause, open Audio & Subtitles (the speech bubble icon), and select your languages.
Change the display language
The display language is set separately for each profile, so changing yours won’t affect anyone else in your household.
On a computer
- Sign in at netflix.com.
- Hover over your profile icon in the top-right corner and click Account.
- Under the profile settings, select your profile and choose Language.
- Pick a Display Language from the list.
- Click Save.
On iPhone, iPad, or Android
- Open the Netflix app and tap My Netflix in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the menu icon and choose Manage Profiles, then tap the profile you want to edit.
- Tap Display Language and choose a language.
- Tap Done or Save.
On most TVs and streaming devices, the display language follows the profile settings you change on the website or in the mobile app. Sign out and back in, or switch profiles, if the change doesn’t appear right away.
Change the audio or subtitle language while watching
On a computer, phone, or tablet
- Start playing a movie or episode.
- Pause it, or tap the screen to show the controls.
- Click or tap the Audio & Subtitles icon, which looks like a speech bubble.
- Choose the audio language on one side and the subtitle language on the other.
On a smart TV or streaming device
- While a title is playing, press up or down on the remote (or swipe down on an Apple TV remote).
- Select Audio & Subtitles.
- Choose your audio and subtitle languages, then return to the video.
Netflix remembers your choice for that profile and usually applies it to other titles that offer the same language. Note that some Kids titles may not save your audio and subtitle choices unless you’re watching from a Kids profile.
Why can’t I find my language?
- Not every title has every language. Each movie or show only includes the dubs and subtitles Netflix has for it in your region.
- Netflix shows the most relevant languages first. The list is based on your display language and location. Look for an Other option, or add more languages to your profile.
- Add preferred languages. On the website, open your profile’s Language settings and check additional languages under Shows & Movie Languages. Netflix uses them to show more audio and subtitle options.
Find shows in a specific language
Search Netflix for phrases like “Spanish movies” or “Korean TV shows” to find titles originally in that language. To find titles dubbed into a language, try searches such as “English dubbed.” These searches are great for language learners.
Customize how subtitles look
On the website, open your profile settings and choose Subtitle appearance to change the font, text size, and shadow. The change applies on most devices. Some TVs and streaming devices use their own caption settings instead.
Languages on downloaded titles
When you download a show or movie to watch offline, Netflix includes a limited set of audio and subtitle languages based on your profile’s language settings. If you plan to watch a download in a particular language, set your profile’s languages first, then download the title. If the language you need is missing, delete the download and download it again after changing your settings. You can also adjust the quality of downloaded videos to save space.
If Netflix changed language on its own
Someone else using your profile, or a profile set up in another language, is the usual cause. Check that you’re on the right profile, then reset the display language as shown above. If you don’t recognize recent activity, review the devices signed in to your account in Account settings.
Related: How to download Netflix on Windows.
Frequently asked questions
Does changing the language affect other profiles?
No. Display, audio, and subtitle settings are saved per profile.
Can I have subtitles in one language and audio in another?
Yes. Choose them separately in the Audio & Subtitles menu, for example Spanish audio with English subtitles.
Why are subtitles on when I didn’t turn them on?
Netflix may turn on subtitles automatically when the audio is in a language different from your display language. Turn them off in Audio & Subtitles.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.