How to Enable Closed Captions on Samsung Smart TV for Better Accessibility

Discover how to enable and customize closed captions on your Samsung Smart TV for an inclusive viewing experience. Learn about accessibility shortcuts, caption positioning, and digital caption options.

Closed captions on your Samsung Smart TV enhance accessibility for viewers who are deaf or hard of hearing. Whether you're watching live broadcasts or streaming content, enabling and customizing captions ensures a more inclusive experience. Follow these steps to activate and adjust closed captions on your device.

1. What Are Closed Captions and Accessibility Features?

Closed captions (CC) provide text versions of spoken dialogue and sound effects during TV programs. Samsung Smart TVs offer built-in accessibility features, including Voice Guide, Video Description, High Contrast, and Caption Settings, designed to support users with visual or hearing impairments.

These features have been recognized by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), earning Samsung Smart TVs the RNIB's Tried and Tested Accreditation.

- Accessibility features may vary by model and software version.

- Closed captions require broadcast caption signals from the program.

2. How to Enable Closed Captions Using Accessibility Shortcuts

Quickly access caption settings using your remote control:

1. For Smart Remote Controls: Press and hold the Volume or Mute button to open the Accessibility Shortcuts menu.
2. For General Remote Controls: Press the Caption button to open the Accessibility Shortcuts menu.

Note: Voice guidance for Accessibility Shortcuts is available even if Voice Guidance is turned off or muted.

3. How to Enable Closed Captions Through Settings

To manually enable closed captions:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Caption Settings.
3. Select Caption and enable the setting.

4. How to Relocate Closed Captions on the Screen

Adjust the position of captions to suit your viewing preferences:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Caption Settings.
3. Select the desired position: Top Fill, Bottom Fill, Top Original Ratio, or Bottom Original Ratio.

Note: This feature is only available for programs that support broadcast captions.

5. How to Customize Closed Captions

Personalize your caption settings for better readability:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Caption Settings.
3. Select Digital Caption Options to adjust size, background color, and font color.

Note: Open Captions are pre-inserted in content and cannot be turned on or off.

6. How to Enable Separate Closed Captions

To isolate closed captions from other text overlays:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Caption Settings.
3. Enable Separate Closed Caption.

Note: This feature is only available for programs that support broadcast captions.

7. How to Reset Closed Caption Settings to Default

Restore default caption settings:

1. Press the Home button on your remote control.
2. Navigate to Settings > General > Accessibility > Caption Settings.
3. Select Digital Caption Options and choose Return to Default.

8. Supported Samsung Smart TV Models

Closed caption features are available on most Samsung Smart TV models, including:

- Galaxy S24, Galaxy S25, Galaxy S26 series (when connected via external displays)

- Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series (when connected via external displays)

- Galaxy A series (when connected via external displays)

Note: Features may vary by model and software version.

9. Additional Things to Check

If closed captions are not working, consider the following:

- Ensure your Samsung Smart TV is running the latest software version.

- Verify that the program supports broadcast caption signals.

- Check your internet connection if using streaming services.

10. Related Samsung Support Topics

- How to update software on Samsung Smart TV

- How to troubleshoot Samsung Smart TV connectivity issues

- How to use Voice Guidance on Samsung Smart TV