Check the supported control rather than its picture
Netflix’s TV appearance instructions describe pausing a title and selecting Settings in the player controls for subtitle Size and Style. They also explicitly say that an absent Settings icon means the device does not support changing the appearance for that language. A missing gear is therefore not automatically a damaged app or a forgotten paid feature.
Record the actual language and device
Name the television or streaming device, app and selected subtitle language before comparing with a tutorial. A screenshot from another client does not establish the same appearance options on this one. The help page also notes that connected TVs do not offer every appearance option available through a browser.
Separate the desired outcomes
If the problem is missing words, first verify that the title offers and has selected the intended track. If the words are present but hard to read, appearance controls are the relevant branch. Do not change audio language or clear all app data merely because a device-specific font option is absent.
Use the documented alternative carefully
Netflix provides a separate browser-profile route and notes a reload step for relevant TV changes, with language and older-device limits. Follow the current supported instructions and inspect the resulting passage. If the client still cannot provide a usable style, report that specific access need rather than claiming another subscription or a universal device upgrade will certainly solve it.
Questions, answered
Can a missing appearance icon reflect language/device support?
Yes. Netflix explicitly documents that condition.
Do TVs expose all browser appearance options?
No. Netflix says connected TVs offer a more limited set.