Add subtitles in your language to a movie

Updated 2026-07-02 - Verified with SubPlayer v0.5.17

What you need

• A Windows 10 or 11 PC with SubPlayer installed (about 263 MB; the one-movie trial needs no card; AI subtitles in public 0.5.17 require your Gemini API key).
• Internet for the translation step. Generating subtitle text from audio works offline.

1. Does the movie already have subtitles?

Open the movie (File > "Open... (Ctrl+O)" or drag it into the window) and look at the Subtitles menu. Tracks inside the movie file are listed as "Embedded:" with their language. If any track exists - in any language - this is the fastest path: pick your language under Subtitle language, and SubPlayer translates the existing text. The original timestamps are reused, so no audio transcription is needed.

2. Do you have a separate SRT file?

Put the SRT in the same folder as the movie, ideally with the same name (movie.mkv and movie.srt) - SubPlayer finds it automatically. Before translating, check the timing at the beginning, middle and end of the movie: an SRT made for a different release drifts more and more as the movie goes on. Then pick your language under Subtitle language, same as above.

3. No subtitles at all?

SubPlayer generates them from the movie audio. Audio processing runs locally on your PC; the subtitle workflow still needs an active licence or your Gemini API key, and translating the generated text needs internet. Full guide: generate subtitles from movie audio.

4. How do I fix timing and size?

• Subtitles show too early or too late by a constant amount: press G ("Subtitles earlier") or H ("Subtitles later") while watching. The current offset is shown on screen in seconds.
• Font too small or too large: Ctrl + = and Ctrl + -.
• Don't need subtitles: choose "Off" in the Subtitles menu.

What happens to the saved subtitles?

Translated or generated subtitles are saved as a separate .srt file next to the movie - the video file itself is never modified. The next time you open the same movie, the subtitles are already there. SubPlayer hides this .srt file by default so it does not clutter the folder; turn on Settings > "Show .srt files next to the video" if you want to see or copy it in File Explorer.

What if something goes wrong?

The timing drifts further apart over time

A constant offset can be fixed with G and H, but drift means the subtitles belong to a different cut of the movie. Find an SRT for your exact release or generate subtitles from the audio.

The Subtitles menu shows no embedded tracks

The movie file simply has none. Use an external SRT or generate subtitles from the audio.

Windows SmartScreen warns about the installer

SmartScreen often flags installers from small publishers. Download SubPlayer only from the official site or the GitHub releases page, then choose "More info" and "Run anyway".

Subtitles are not generated anymore

The one-movie trial needs no card, but AI subtitles in public 0.5.17 require your Gemini API key. After the trial, the movie still plays, but subtitles are not generated until you subscribe. Open the License menu - its own tab on the menu bar - and choose Activate.

Frequently asked questions

Which workflow is the fastest?

Translating subtitles the movie already has. It skips transcription completely and reuses the existing timing.

Do I have to download subtitles from websites?

No. SubPlayer can use a track already inside the movie or generate one from the audio. A downloaded SRT is still useful when it matches your exact release.

Does this work for a series?

Yes - open each episode like a movie. The subtitles are saved next to each file.

Can I turn the subtitles off?

Yes. Choose "Off" in the Subtitles menu.

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