Funimation Language Change: How to Switch Audio
Yes, you can change the language on Funimation, and the process is simple: open the video player, tap the speech-bubble icon, and select your preferred audio and subtitle language. This works on most devices, though the exact steps vary slightly between the website, mobile apps, and TV apps. Below is a full breakdown of how to switch languages, why the option might be missing, and what to do if you run into trouble.
What Languages Does Funimation Offer?
Funimation is best known for its English dubs, but it also carries Japanese audio with English subtitles on nearly every title, and some shows include Spanish or Portuguese subtitles depending on your region. The available languages are set by the content provider, so a show like My Hero Academia will have both English and Japanese audio, while a less popular title might only have Japanese with subtitles. To see what is available for a specific episode, look for the audio and subtitle options in the player—if a language is listed but greyed out, that track is not available for that episode.
How to Change Language on Funimation (Website)
On the web player, the language menu is hidden behind a small icon that looks like a speech bubble with lines. Here are the exact steps:
- Start playing any episode or movie.
- Move your mouse to the bottom of the video to reveal the player controls.
- Click the speech bubble icon (usually next to the settings gear).
- In the pop-up, choose your Audio language (English, Japanese, etc.).
- Choose your Subtitles language (English, Spanish, or Off).
- Click anywhere outside the menu to close it—the change applies immediately.
If you don’t see the speech bubble, try clicking the gear icon and look for “Audioâ€� or “Subtitlesâ€� in that menu. Some browsers hide the icon until you hover over the video, so make sure your mouse is over the player.
How to Change Language on the Funimation Mobile App (iOS/Android)
The mobile app uses a similar menu but with a slightly different layout. Follow these steps:
- Open the Funimation app and start playing a video.
- Tap the screen once to bring up the player controls.
- Tap the speech bubble icon (bottom-right corner on most phones).
- Select your preferred Audio track.
- Select your Subtitles preference (or turn them off).
- Tap anywhere outside the menu to exit.
On some Android devices, the icon might be labeled “Audioâ€� instead of a speech bubble. If you don’t see it, make sure the app is updated to the latest version—older versions sometimes had the language menu under the three-dot menu instead.
How to Change Language on Smart TVs, Roku, and Consoles
On TV apps (Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, PlayStation, Xbox), the process is nearly identical but the menu may appear as a sidebar. Here’s what to do:
- Play the video and press the OK or Select button on your remote to show the controls.
- Look for a speech bubble icon or a “Settings� gear.
- Navigate to Audio and choose your language.
- Go to Subtitles and select your preference.
- Press Back to close the menu.
If you can’t find the speech bubble on your TV, try pressing the Up button on your remote while the video is playing—this sometimes opens a quick settings bar. Also note that some older TV apps may not support language switching at all; in that case, you’ll need to use a different device.
Why Can’t I Change the Language? (Common Problems)
If the language option is missing or greyed out, there are a few common reasons:
- The title doesn’t have multiple audio tracks. Some older or licensed shows only have Japanese audio with subtitles, or only an English dub. Check the show’s detail page—if it says “English Dubâ€� or “Subtitledâ€� in the description, that’s likely the only option.
- You’re in a region where the dub isn’t available. Funimation’s catalog varies by country. A show that has an English dub in the US might only have Japanese audio in the UK or Australia.
- You’re watching a preview or free episode. Some free episodes are limited to one audio track to encourage a subscription.
- The app is outdated. Older versions of the Funimation app had bugs where the language menu wouldn’t appear. Update the app from your device’s store.
- You’re on a device that doesn’t support multiple audio tracks. Some older smart TVs or streaming sticks have limited codec support, so Funimation may only show one audio option.
If you’ve checked all of the above and still can’t switch, try logging out and back in, or reinstalling the app. A quick test is to play a popular show like Dragon Ball Super—if the language icon appears there, the problem is likely with the specific title, not your account.
How to Set Default Language and Subtitle Preferences
Funimation lets you set your default audio and subtitle language so you don’t have to change it every time. On the website, go to your Account Settings (click your profile icon in the top-right, then “Settingsâ€�). Under “Playback,â€� you’ll find options for Default Audio and Default Subtitles. Choose “Englishâ€� or “Japaneseâ€� for audio, and “Englishâ€� or “Offâ€� for subtitles. On mobile, go to the Settings tab in the app (the gear icon), then “Playbackâ€� and set the same preferences. Note that these defaults only apply to titles that actually have those tracks—if a show only has Japanese audio, it will play in Japanese regardless of your default.
Funimation vs. Crunchyroll: Language Options Compared
Since Funimation’s library merged into Crunchyroll in 2022, many users wonder if the language options are the same. Crunchyroll now offers most of Funimation’s English dubs, and its language menu works similarly (speech bubble icon). However, Crunchyroll’s default is often Japanese with subtitles, while Funimation’s default is often English dub. If you’re migrating to Crunchyroll, you’ll need to manually switch to English audio for each episode, or set your default in Crunchyroll’s settings. Also, Crunchyroll has a larger catalog of subtitled-only shows, so you may find more titles without an English dub option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the language on Funimation without a subscription?
Yes, but only if the free episode you’re watching has multiple audio tracks. Many free episodes are limited to one language, usually Japanese with subtitles. To access all language options, you’ll need a premium subscription.
Why does my Funimation keep resetting to Japanese audio?
This usually happens because the show you’re watching doesn’t have an English dub, or your default audio is set to Japanese. Check your account settings and set the default to English. If it still resets, try clearing the app’s cache or reinstalling.
Does Funimation have Spanish or Portuguese audio?
Funimation offers Spanish and Portuguese subtitles for many shows, but audio dubs in those languages are rare. The primary audio options are English and Japanese. If you need Spanish subtitles, look for the “Subtitles� menu and select Español.
Can I change the language on Funimation while downloading?
No. Downloads are saved in the language that was selected at the time of download. If you want to download a different language, you must change the language in the player first, then re-download the episode.
What happened to Funimation’s language options after the Crunchyroll merger?
Funimation still works as a standalone app for now, but new content is being added to Crunchyroll. Crunchyroll offers similar language options, but the default may be different. Eventually, Funimation’s library will fully move to Crunchyroll, so you may want to set your preferences there.
Why is the speech bubble icon missing on my TV app?
Some older TV apps don’t have the speech bubble icon. Try pressing the “Upâ€� button on your remote while the video is playing, or look for a “Settingsâ€� gear. If neither works, your TV app may not support multiple audio tracks—try using a different device like a phone or computer.
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