Overcoming Language Barriers on Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video boasts one of the most extensive international libraries of any streaming service, offering acclaimed films and television series from around the globe. Whether you are settling in to watch a gritty Nordic noir, a vibrant Bollywood musical, or a classic French drama, understanding the dialogue is essential to enjoying the experience.
While many foreign films default to displaying English subtitles, some viewers prefer to watch content dubbed into their native language, while others prefer to switch the entire application interface to a different language for easier navigation. Prime Video allows you to change both the audio dubbing language (for the specific video you are watching) and the overall display language (for menus and settings).
Because the Amazon ecosystem spans smart TVs, web browsers, and mobile apps, the location of these language settings can vary slightly depending on the device you are using.
Method 1: Change the Audio Language (Dubbing)
If you want to change the spoken language of the characters on screen (for example, switching an anime from Japanese audio to an English dub), you must do this while the video is actively playing. Note: Not all movies have dubbed audio tracks available. If the studio did not record a dub, the option will not appear.
On a Smart TV, Roku, or Fire TV Stick:
- Open the Prime Video app and begin playing the movie or television episode.
- Press the Up arrow (or the main select button) on your remote control to bring up the playback controls.
- Navigate to the Subtitles and Audio icon (it looks like a small speech bubble). Press select to open it.
- You will see two columns. Navigate to the Audio column on the left.
- Scroll through the list of available languages and select your preference. The audio track will switch immediately.
On a Web Browser (PC or Mac):
- Start playing the video on the Prime Video website.
- Move your mouse to reveal the video controls.
- Click the Subtitles and Audio icon (the speech bubble) in the top-right corner of the video player.
- Under the “Audio” heading, click on your preferred language.
On the Mobile App (iOS and Android):
- Start playing the video on your phone or tablet.
- Tap the centre of the screen to reveal the controls.
- Tap the Subtitles and Audio icon (the speech bubble) in the top-right corner.
- Select your desired language from the “Audio” list and tap outside the box to close it.
Method 2: Change the Display Language (Menus and Text)
If you want to change the language of the Prime Video interface itself—meaning all the menus, category titles, and movie descriptions are translated into Spanish, French, or another language—you must change this in the main account settings.
On a Web Browser (PC or Mac):
- Go to primevideo.com and ensure you are logged in.
- Hover your mouse over your Profile icon in the top-right corner of the homepage.
- Click on Account & Settings from the drop-down menu.
- Look at the navigation tabs across the top of the settings page and click on Language.
- Select your preferred language from the list provided.
- Click the Save button at the bottom. The website will immediately refresh in the new language.
On the Mobile App (iOS and Android):
- Open the Prime Video app.
- Tap on your Profile icon (often labeled “My Stuff”) in the bottom-right corner.
- Tap the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down and tap on Language.
- Select your new language. The app will prompt you to confirm that it needs to restart to apply the changes. Tap Yes.
Troubleshooting: The App Won’t Translate on Smart TVs
If you change the display language on the website or mobile app, but your smart TV app remains stubbornly in English, you have encountered a common desynchronisation issue. Many smart TV apps do not automatically pull language preferences from your main Amazon account.
To fix this, you must change the language directly within the TV app itself:
- Open the Prime Video app on your TV.
- Navigate to the main menu on the left side of the screen and scroll down to the bottom to select the Settings gear icon.
- Scroll through the settings menu until you find the Language option.
- Select your language. The app will reload and apply the translation.
