How to Add Subtitles to Plex [Latest and Effective Ways🔥]

Sasha updated on Aug 16, 2024 to AI Article

Add subtitles to your Favorite movies and shows in Plex; this article will present you with two ways to add subtitles to elevate your streaming experience

Adding subtitles to your media content in Plex enhances your viewing experience by providing accurate translations and context. Whether you're watching movies, TV shows, or listening to music, subtitles can help you understand dialogue, lyrics, and foreign languages.

This guide explores various ways to incorporate subtitles into your Plex library. From manual subtitle downloads to utilizing advanced tools like EaseUS VideoKit, you'll learn how to seamlessly add subtitles to your Plex media, making your entertainment more accessible and enjoyable.

The following table briefly lists these two methods' effectiveness and usage scenarios.

Methods Effectiveness Usage Scenario
Add subtitles automatically Offer multiple subtitle options accurately Many movies and TV shows in different languages
Add local subtitles Subtitle appearance and style can be customized Already downloaded movies and TV shows

What is Plex?

Plex allows users to search for and access all the media that matters to them. At its core, it's a powerful streaming platform that enables you to organize, access, and enjoy various types of movies, TV shows, music, photos, and more from a variety of devices.

How to Add Subtitles in Plex Automatically?

Plex does not automatically load subtitles for movies. However, it allows users to download and add subtitles for Plex movies manually. Its third-party software, OpenSubtitles.org, can automatically fetch subtitles. If you're new to Plex, you can follow these steps to download and add captions to videos such as movies, TV shows, and music.

Part 1: Downloading Subtitles in Plex

Step 1. Launch Plex and access the Settings icon at the home page's top right corner.

Step 2. Navigate to the "SETTING" section and select "Agents."

Step 3. Choose "Movies," then click on "Plex Movie (Legacy)." Enable the "OpenSubtitles.org" option by checking the box, and you can also drag it to the top of the list.

Step 4. Click the "Settings" icon for OpenSubtitles.org, log in if necessary, and select your preferred subtitle languages. Save your changes.

Part 2: Adding Downloaded Subtitles to Plex Videos

Step 1. Click on your account in the upper-right corner and locate "Account Settings."

Step 2. In the "Account" section, click the edit button to the right of "AUDIO & SUBTITLE SETTINGS."

Step 3. In the right panel, activate "Automatically select audio and subtitle tracks" and set "SUBTITLE MODE" to "Always enabled." Don't forget to save your changes by clicking "Save Changes."

Below is a related YouTube video.

  • 00:59: Subtitle Formats
  • 05:45: Adding SRT Subtitles to Plex
  • 10:35: Where to Find Subtitles
  • 11:37: Editing Subtitles

How to Add Local Subtitles to Plex?

Follow these steps to include subtitles directly within your video files:

Step 1. Go to the library on your Plex server where you want to add captions.

Step 2. Click on the three dots next to it to open the menu. And then, go to "Manage Library."

Step 3. Click on "Refresh All Metadata." Then you may see your custom subtitles when playing videos.

Tips to Add Subtitles to Plex

1. Adjust Configuration

If you want to use media containing embedded subtitles or have external subtitle files, please ensure the following configuration steps:

Step 1. Open the Plex Web App and click "Settings" at the top right of the home screen.

Step 2. Pick your Plex Media Server from the horizontal list.

Step 3. Navigate to "Agents," then select the library type and agent you wish to modify. Make sure "Local Media Assets" is selected.

2. Ensuring Proper Naming

Ensure your video and subtitle files are correctly named and stored within the same folder. Plex depends on the established naming convention to associate subtitles with videos. The typical format is:

  • Movie_Name (Release Date).[Language_Code].ext
  • Movies\Movie_Name (Release Date).[Language_Code].ext
  • TV Shows\Show_Name\Season XX\Show_Name SxxEyy.[Language_Code].ext
  • Movie_Name (Release Date).[Language_Code].forced.ext
  • Movies\Movie_Name (Release Date).[Language_Code].forced.ext

3. Supported Format in Plex

Plex supports a wide range of subtitle formats, ensuring compatibility with most media files. These formats include but are not limited to: SRT (.srt), SMI (.smi), SSA (or ASS) (.ssa or .ass), WebVTT (.vtt)

Bonus: Get SRT Files with EaseUS VideoKit

There is a multitude of sources to obtain subtitle files. SRT format is the most commonly available and works well with Plex. If you need closed captions for your TV shows, movies, or videos in Plex, use EaseUS VideoKit.

EaseUS VideoKit is a versatile editor that automatically detects human voices and adds subtitles to videos. It utilizes AI technology for efficient and accurate speech recognition. Furthermore, there is no limitation on video size. In addition to embedding subtitles into your videos, it allows users to export subtitle files. This all-in-one audio and video editor enables users to edit videos for YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and more.

Features of EaseUS VideoKit:

  • Allow exporting subtitle files
  • Use AI to analyze vocals quickly and accurately
  • Embed subtitles with videos seamlessly
  • Remove background noise from videos free

Click the button below to start your free trial.

The steps to use EaseUS VideoKit to obtain subtitles for your Plex videos are as follows:

Step 1. Open EaseUS VideoKit and find the "Subtitle Generator" panel.

Step 2. Click "Choose File" or drag the YouTube video file to the interface.

Step 3. Wait for the AI analyzing.

Step 4. Click the "Text" button to change the text, or customize font, background, and position under "Style" menu.

Step 5. Click "Export Subtitle" to select exported subtitle format, "Save to" to change location, and press "Export" to export the video with subtitles.

To Sum up

We provide two methods to add subtitles to your Plex movies, TV shows, or music, along with some handy tips for using subtitle files. If you're entirely new to this, you can refer to the methods mentioned above.

Suppose you find the logic behind these methods difficult to grasp. In that case, we recommend using EaseUS VideoKit as a convenient and efficient way to add subtitles and edit SRT files to your favorite videos.

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FAQs About Adding Subtitles to Plex

As you explore our content, you might encounter some questions that our users commonly ask. To provide you with a seamless experience, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions.

1. Why can't I get subtitles on Plex?

There could be a few reasons why subtitles might not be appearing on Plex.

  • First, ensure your subtitle files are correctly named and located in the same directory as your video files. Plex relies on proper naming to match subtitles to videos;
  • Additionally, make sure that the subtitle option is enabled in your Plex player settings;
  • Lastly, verify that the subtitle format is supported by Plex (commonly SRT format).

2. Does the Plex app have subtitles?

Yes, the Plex app does support subtitles. You can add external subtitles to your media content to display subtitles while watching your videos. Plex also has the ability to search for and download subtitles automatically through its subtitle agents, enhancing your viewing experience.

3. Where does Plex search for subtitles?

By default, Plex searches for subtitles from a list of preferred online databases. These databases include popular subtitle repositories where Plex can find matching subtitles for your media content. You can customize and prioritize these agents in your Plex server settings to improve subtitle fetching accuracy.

4. How do I find subtitles?

To find subtitles for your media in Plex, follow these tips:
Ensure your video and subtitle files are correctly named and stored in the same directory.

If you want Plex to automatically fetch subtitles, ensure your subtitle agents are configured and enabled in your Plex server settings.

You can manually search for subtitles when playing a video by clicking the "Subtitles" or "CC" icon in the playback controls. Plex will attempt to find suitable subtitles based on your media's information.

If Plex is unable to find subtitles automatically, you can search for and download subtitle files from trusted subtitle websites. Make sure to download subtitle files that match your video's language and version.