How to Turn off the Audio Description in iPlayer

By Tamara Runzel

Updated September 22, 2017

Turn off iPlayer audio descriptions in a few steps.
i David Sacks/Lifesize/Getty Images

Subtitles can sometimes get in the way of viewing a show or movie. Audio descriptions or subtitles are available on the BBC’s (British Broadcasting Corporation’s) iPlayer for viewers who wish to view or need subtitles. Audio descriptions are not available for mobile or protable devices. If you don’t need the subtitles, you can turn them off whether you’re using the iPlayer Desktop or Windows Media Player.

iPlayer Desktop

Start the streaming video for the program you plan to watch.

Watch for the “S” button to appear in the bottom, right corner of your video, next to the volume button, once the program has started after the introduction.

Click on the “S” with your mouse to turn to the audio descriptions off.

Windows Media Player

Go to the “Tools” menu and select “Options.”

Click the “Security” tab and verify that the box next to “Show local captions when present” is checked.

Go to the “Play” menu and verify that “On if Available” is selected under “Lyrics, Captions and Subtitles.”

Hold “Ctrl,” “Shift” and “C” on your keyboard simultaneously to switch the subtitles off. The same keys switch them back on.

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