How To Sync Subtitles in VLC

When watching a movie that features subtitles, you can open it with VLC. If it syncs the subtitles correctly, you can view them and hear the audio track simultaneously. However, the subtitles might appear too early or late due to a sync error. Either way, you can’t enjoy viewing a movie with subtitles if that’s the case. Fortunately, you can fix this problem directly in VLC.

If you don’t know how to do this, you’ve come to the right place. This article explains how to sync subtitles in VLC and fix the sync error if it occurs.

How to Sync Movie Subtitles in VLC on Mac and Windows With Hotkeys

VLC lets you play videos or films with subtitles on Mac or Windows. It syncs subtitles to match them with the audio track or images. You can stop the subtitles from coming too fast or slowly by pressing some hotkeys on your keyboard. These shortcut keys vary based on your operating system. If you use Windows, press “G” or “H.” Alternatively, press “G” or “J” if you use Mac.

 It’s only necessary to press these shortcut keys if the subtitles and the soundtrack don’t match. Here’s how to use them:

• If a subtitle appears after the sound or scene, press “G” on your keyboard. This shortcut will speed up the subtitle by around fifty minutes.
• If a subtitle pops up earlier than the sound or scene, press H on Windows or J on Mac to delay it. Likewise, this will delay the subtitle by fifty minutes.
• Continue pressing these shortcuts until you achieve a proper sync between the movie subtitles and sound.

Solving Subtitle Sync Error on Windows and Mac

VLC will occasionally fail to delay a subtitle when you press H. It might also refuse to speed up a subtitle when you press G. If you have a Windows PC, you can synchronize the subtitles manually in VLC by following these steps:

1. Go to the folder containing your movies and videos. Right-click one file and click “Open with.” Choose “VLC media player.”
   
2. Hit “Tools” and select “Track Synchronization.”
   
3. Move to the “Subtitle track synchronization” area.
   
4. To quicken subtitles, click the down-pointing arrow. To delay them, hit the up-pointing arrow.
   
5. Click “Close” to save changes.
   

If you have a MacOS, you might also notice that “G” and “J” hotkeys aren’t working. To speed up or slow down movie subtitles, do the following:

1. Open a suitable video or movie with VLC.
2. Navigate to “Subtitles” and click “Subtitle track” to verify that you’ve switched on subtitles.
3. Now move to “Window” and hit “Track Synchronization.”
4. Locate “Subtitle track synchronization” beneath “Subtitles/Video.” If the subtitles are too fast, press the up-pointing arrow to delay them. Likewise, press the down-pointing arrow to quicken the subtitles.

How to Manually Sync Subtitles in VLC on Your Phone

Most people use VLC to play videos on smartphones. If you do too, you can sync subtitles in VLC on your iPhone or Android phone.

1. Open a film or video with VLC on your Android phone.
   
2. Locate and touch the “speech balloon” icon near the “Play” button to open its menu
   
3. Tap “Subtitles track” to see if subtitles are activated.
   
4. Scroll the “speed balloon” menu and select “Subtitle delay.”
   
5. Tap “+” to delay a subtitle. Touch “-“to speed up a subtitle.
   

What’s Wrong With Synching Subtitles Manually in VLC?

Whether you use the “G” and “H” or “J” shortcuts, or sync subtitles manually in VLC, you’ll encounter one problem. The changes you make are temporary. If you close VLC, the changes will disappear also. Hence, you’ll sync subtitles manually when watching a movie or video with subtitles in VLC. This routine can be tiresome and boring.

Luckily, there is a way to sync subtitles and keep the changes. You can use more advanced software tools to sync subtitles and later play your videos in VLC.

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

The WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe can help you match Image or audio track timing with subtitle timing. It can convert and compress 4K videos using the integrated “Subtitle” feature. Also, you can add subtitles to a movie that doesn’t have them without ruining the timing. WinX HD Video Converter allows you to add subtitles in your favorite language.

Above all, it syncs subtitles forever. Here’s how to use it:

1. Launch the software and open a movie or video by clicking the “+Video” button.
   
2. Under the “Output Profile” window, pick the best output format and click “OK.”
   
3. Hit the “Edit” button and navigate to the “Subtitle” tab.
   
4. Check the “Enable Subtitle” box and tick the “Extra” box beneath it. Click “Add” to open an external subtitle file and hit “Done.”
   
5. Click “Run” to start adding subtitles to the video or movie you choose above.
   
6. Now play your media file in VLC without syncing subtitles manually every day.

VideoByte Blu-Ray Player

Another tool you can use to solve the VLC sync error and its inability to save changes is the VideoByte Blu-Ray Player. It can insert the subtitles you want into a movie and synchronize them permanently. Furthermore, this software tool can stream videos of any format on your computer. Thus, you can play movies and videos in it after synching subtitles.

Since VideoByte Blu-Ray Player has a simple user interface, anyone can use it. Additionally, you can access all its features with the free trial plan. After the trial period ends, you must upgrade to a premium plan to continue using VideoByte Blu-Ray Player.

Here’s how to use it for subtitle synchronization:

1. Download and install VideoBytee Blu-Ray Player on your PC. Choose the correct installer for Windows or Mac.
   
2. Launch the application and navigate to “Open File” to add a video or film to the app. If your computer has Blu-ray or DVD drive support, click “Open Disc” to import a file. However, you must connect to the internet to use this option.
   
3. Tap the “Video” tab and select the “Subtitle track” and “Add subtitle” to import subtitle.
   
4. After syncing subtitles, play the movie or video to see if you’ve succeeded.

FAQ

Why does VLC fail to sync subtitles?

If you notice that the subtitles run ahead or behind the audio track or scene, one of two things is the cause. First, the settings for subtitles in VLC might be disabled. Secondly, the subtitle itself could have an error.

Can I permanently enable subtitles in VLC?

If you close VLC, it will delete all your subtitle synchronization changes. The only way to avoid syncing subtitles frequently is to use a third-party software tool. Choose one of the recommended tools above and use it to add subtitles to movies and videos.

Avoid VLC Sync Error

When viewing a movie or YouTube video on your PC or phone, VLC will automatically sync subtitles. However, it may occasionally generate a sync error that could make subtitles run too fast or too slow. You can use hotkeys like “G,” “H,” or “J” to restore the balance between subtitle timing and audio track timing. If these fail, solve the error manually. Your last option is to use a third-party software tool to add subtitles permanently.

Did VLC speed up or delay subtitles the last time you played a movie? If so, how did you stop it? Let us know in the comments section below.