Are you struggling to get the subtitles to work on your Smart TV while watching Amazon Prime? This common problem could be due to various reasons and can be solved in some simple steps. However, it is a hassle to troubleshoot the technical issue and find a solution that works best for you.
Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the problem in detail, agitate why this problem arises and provide solutions that will help you solve the issue so you can enjoy your favorite show and movie without worrying about the subtitles not working.
Why are Amazon Prime subtitles not working on my Smart TV?
Short answer: Amazon Prime subtitles are not working on your Smart TV because of outdated or corrupted firmware, a software bug, or an issue with the content. Try restarting your device and checking for any available software updates.
When streaming movies and television shows on Amazon Prime Video, subtitles are a convenient and valuable addition that may make the viewing experience more enjoyable.
However, there are times when subtitles do not work as expected when using this streaming service on a Smart TV. We have outlined a few common scenarios below to help you understand why this may occur.
Reason 1: The Subtitles May Not be Activated
This is the most likely reason the subtitles may not work on your Smart TV when using Amazon Prime Video. However, it is possible that the subtitles are not activated to be opened on the app itself. To try this, open the Amazon Prime Video app and navigate to the app’s settings. From there, you should be able to locate the menu option for subtitles or captions.
If this setting is activated on the app, the subtitles should start working as soon as they are available on the show or movie you are streaming. However, if this option is not configured correctly on the app, the subtitles will likely not work.
Reason 2: TV May Not Be Compatible
It is also possible that the TV you are streaming the Amazon Prime Video service through is incompatible with subtitle viewing. Depending on the type of TV, certain sets may be too old or not have the necessary compatibility to run subtitle functionality.
If you are sure the subtitles are activated on the Amazon Prime Video app itself, this could likely be why the subtitles are not working on the TV you are using to stream the service. But, again, you may want to check with your TV manufacturer for compatibility-related information.
Reason 3: The TV’s Firmware May be Outdated and Needs to be Updated to Run Subtitle Functionality
Another potential reason why the subtitles are not working on your Smart TV could be the firmware version being outdated or not having the correct compatibility. When streaming movies or television shows on a Smart TV, the firmware version needs to be up to date to run the latest features, including subtitle functionality.
Again, it is best to check with your TV manufacturer to ensure that the firmware version is current and that the television is compatible with subtitle viewing on Amazon Prime Video.
Reason 4: Subscription Language Settings
Amazon Prime subtitles may not work on your Smart TV because your Prime subscription’s language settings may not be configured appropriately. Prime subscribers can select preferred language settings when signing up for the service.
When you’re adding titles to your Watch List or watching them, subtitles are available according to the language setting you selected when subscribing. If the language is not set correctly, you won’t have subtitles on your Smart TV.
Reason 5: TV Language Settings
Another cause of Amazon Prime subtitles not working on your Smart TV is that the language settings on the TV itself may be incorrect. When you select the subtitles option, your TV should recognize the language you initially set for it. However, if the language is not set correctly, the subtitles will not be displayed correctly.
Reason 6: Audio Device Settings
A likely possible reason for Amazon Prime subtitles not working on your Smart TV is that the audio device settings on the Prime app may not be compatible with your TV. To fix this, you’ll need to go into the audio settings in the Prime app and select “TV” as your audio device output. Once this is done, try to play a movie with subtitles enabled and see if they appear on the TV.
Reason 7: Closed Captioning and Subtitles Settings Might Not Be Activated
Often, subtitles on Smart TVs are disabled by default and have to be manually enabled in the settings. To do so, head to the Audio and Language section of your Smart TV’s settings, which may be under the advanced options.
Here, you will often find an option to activate an On-Screen Display or Closed Captions and Subtitles. Ensure this is enabled, and try to play an Amazon Prime show or movie with subtitles again.
Reason 8: The app may Be Corrupted
Sometimes, Amazon Prime subtitles stop working because of a problem with the app. This usually happens when the app is corrupted due to a bug or an update that didn’t go through correctly. In this case, you will have to uninstall the app from your Smart TV and reinstall it.
To do so, go to your Smart TV’s app settings and select the Amazon Prime app. Next, press the ‘Uninstall’ button and reinstall it from the app store. After that, try watching a show or movie with subtitles enabled.
Reason 9: Ensure No Batteries Are Dead in Your TV’s Remote Controls
Your remote control can often be the cause of some subtitle-related issues. The reason for this is that there could be a dead battery causing it not to function correctly. To check this, replace the batteries inside your remote control and try to use it to activate subtitles while watching a show or movie on Amazon Prime again.
If the remote control is not working, try to control the subtitles using the buttons on the TV. This will often work in cases such as these.
Fix: Amazon Prime subtitles not working on TV
It can be annoying and confusing when you’re trying to watch a program, and the subtitles won’t work. Unfortunately, this issue is prevalent with Amazon Prime videos and often involves compatibility issues or outdated firmware. The below points will explore how to fix the problem of subtitles not working on your smart TV when playing Amazon Prime videos.
Fix 1: Activating subtitles
The first fix is to ensure that the subtitles are turned on in the Amazon Prime video app or settings on your TV. To do this, open your TV’s Amazon Prime video app and look in the Settings or Settings menu.
Here, you should see an option for Subtitles. Make sure this setting is enabled and that you are saving your selection. Once this is done, try playing an Amazon Prime video on your TV to see if this fixes the issue.
Fix 2: Uninstall Then Reinstall the Amazon Prime Video App
If the subtitles still aren’t working after you’ve enabled them, you should try reinstalling the Amazon Prime Video app. If there’s a bug with the app or it’s been corrupted somehow, this could be causing the issue. Here’s how you can reinstall the Amazon Prime Video app on your Smart TV:
1. Select the Amazon Prime Video app. Next, navigate to the app in the menu, and press the “Options” button.
2. Select the “Uninstall” option. This will uninstall the app from your Smart TV.
3. Download the Amazon Prime Video app from the store. The exact steps for this will depend on the make and model of your Smart TV, but you should be able to download the app from the store.
4. Open the Amazon Prime Video app. Once you’ve installed the app, open it and check if the subtitles work.
Fix 3: Fixing compatibility issues of TV
The Amazon Prime video subtitles feature is not supported on all Smart TVs. To check if your device is compatible, look at the list of television manufacturers and models compatible with Amazon Prime subtitles.
Unfortunately, if your device isn’t on the list, subtitles will not work if it isn’t supported. In this case, you would need to upgrade your television if you would like to be able to watch Amazon Prime videos with subtitles.
Fix 4: Updating the outdated firmware
Sometimes the issue of subtitles not working on Amazon Prime videos can be fixed by simply updating the TV’s firmware. To do this, you need to check the manufacturer’s website for the latest firmware version.
This should be relatively straightforward and can be done with just a few clicks. Once the update is installed, restart your TV and try playing an Amazon Prime video with subtitles. This should have fixed the issue.
Fix 5: Configuring the Language Settings for the Prime Subscription
The next step to take when Amazon Prime subtitles aren’t working on your Smart TV is to check the language settings for your Prime subscription. You can adjust this by logging into your Prime account and navigating to the Language and Subtitles settings page.
You can select a language and check the box for “Show Captions and Subtitles if Available” or automatically “Show Captions and Subtitles.”
Fix 6: Activating the Closed Captioning and Subtitles Settings
Closed captioning and subtitles are a great way to follow a show if you’re deaf or hard of hearing. However, you must activate many streaming services in the audio/video settings.
For example, if you’re trying to watch Amazon Prime Video but the subtitles aren’t working on your Smart TV, it might mean the TV’s closed captioning/subtitle settings haven’t been activated. Here’s how to fix this problem:
1. To access the audio/video settings of your Smart TV, press the “Menu” button.
2. Navigate to the audio/video settings. Depending on the make and model of your Smart TV, this will be different, but look for the “Audio/Video” section.
3. Select the “Closed Captioning/Subtitle” option. This will allow you to turn on and off the subtitles and customize the appearance.
4. Make sure the subtitles are “ON.” This will ensure that the subtitles show when you access Amazon Prime Video.
5. Save your changes and test the subtitles. See if they now appear on the Amazon Prime Video app.
Fix 7: Fixing Incorrect language settings
If the language settings for your Prime subscription are already correctly configured, but the subtitles still don’t appear, you might need to check the language settings on your Smart TV itself. This setting is usually located in the TV menu and should be set to match the language chosen for your Prime subscription.
Fix 8: Check the Audio Device
Also, you should check the audio device settings for the Prime app. This can usually be found in the app’s settings menu. Make sure that the settings on the app match those of your audio device, and if they don’t, try to figure out why not and adjust the settings to reflect your audio device or speaker setup better.
Fix 9: Ensure There Are No Batteries That Are Dead in Any of Your TV’s Remote Controls
Finally, If the subtitles aren’t working, ensure there are no dead batteries in your TV’s remote controls. Even if the remote doesn’t have a power button, some Smart TVs are still sensitive to dead batteries, which could be causing the issue. Here’s how to check:
1. Remove all the batteries from your TV’s remotes. Take out all the batteries from any remotes that control your Smart TV.
2. Check if the batteries are dead. Then, either place them in another device to see if they still work or buy a cheap multimeter to test them.
3. Replace any non-working batteries. If the batteries are dead, replace them with new ones.
4. Test the subtitles. Open the Amazon Prime Video app and check if the subtitles work.
Final words
In conclusion, there are several reasons why Amazon Prime subtitles may not be working on a Smart TV. Issues with the TV, browser compatibility, network or internet connection, and settings within the Amazon Prime app can all lead to subtitle problems. If none resolve the issue, users should contact Amazon customer service for further help and troubleshooting.