Yuraq Wambli
Updated on 2025-06-18
Plex is a popular media server platform that allows you to organize and stream your favourite movies, TV shows,music, and more. However, it can be frustrating when your favorite shows or movies play without subtitles. Are you struggling with Plex subtitle not working issues? This comprehensive guide will walk you through common scenarios for plex failed to download subtitle and provide step-by-step solutions to get them back on track.
- Check Subtitle Availability and Settings
- Check Subtitle File Format and Structure
- Manually Adjust Subtitle Offset
- Use Auto-Sync via Voice Activity
- Downgrade Plex Android App
- Search and Download Subtitles in Plex
- Restore Plex Library Database
-
Generate Accurate Subtitles with AIHOT
- Move Subdirectories
Part 1: Common Scenarios of Plex Subtitle Not Working
Many users encounter subtitle problems on Plex in different usage scenarios. Here are the most common situations where Plex subtitles may fail to work properly:
1. Plex Subtitles Not Showing on Smart TV
When using Plex on Smart TVs like Samsung, LG, or Android TV, subtitles may not show at all due to unsupported formats or app limitations. In some cases, Plex fails to render embedded or external subtitle tracks properly.
2. Plex Not Detecting External SRT Files
Sometimes, even when SRT subtitle files are placed in the same folder as the video, Plex does not recognize or load them. This usually happens when the filename doesn't match the video exactly, or the subtitle format is corrupted.
3. Plex Subtitles Not Working for MKV or AVI Files
MKV and AVI files often contain embedded subtitles, but Plex may not always read them correctly. This could be due to unsupported subtitle codecs or improperly muxed tracks.
4. Plex Subtitles Work on PC but Not on Mobile
Users may find that subtitles display correctly on desktop but fail to appear on mobile apps. This can be due to app-specific bugs, different playback engines, or subtitle settings not syncing across devices.
5. Plex Subtitle Out of Sync or Delay Issue
Even when subtitles do show up, they might be out of sync with the audio or video. This issue is commonly seen with downloaded subtitle files that are mismatched with the video version.
Part 2: Troubleshoot Plex Subtitles Not Working
If Plex subtitles are not working, check if the subtitle files are properly named and located. Ensure subtitles are enabled in the player settings, and verify that the correct agent is configured.
Plex allows users to easily add subtitles to Plex that provide a more inclusive viewing experience for all audiences. But sometime, you may find it is not working after you download and add subtitles to Plex. Take it easy. Here are 9 best ways to slove it. Here we go!
Way 1: Check Subtitle Availability and Settings
First check out the subtitle availability on the Plex interface by looking for "S" icon, then ensure the language in the media and your user profile settings is selected correctly. If you are using embedded subtitles, make sure that the languages matches the subtitle track or the audio track.
Way 2: Check Subtitle File Format and Structure
If Plex cannot read the subtitle format, you can transform the subtitles' format to perfectly compatible with Plex and then add subtitles file to Plex for streaming. (Plex officially announced that it supports a full array of subtitle formats, including .srt, .smi, .ssa, .ass, .vtt. )
Moreover, there should be no extra dashes or spaces in the subtitles as incorrectly formatted subtitles can cause Plex subtitles not working issues. Also ensure the file name matches the media file name.
Way 3: Manually Adjust Subtitle Offset
If your subtitles appear too early or too late while watching, Plex offers a feature to manually adjust subtitle timing. This is useful when Plex subtitles are mostly correct but slightly out of sync.
Start playing your video in Plex (Web, TV, or mobile client).
Open the Subtitle settings during playback.
Look for the option labeled “Subtitle Offset”.
Use the slider to adjust timing forward or backward (±50ms steps).
Save the setting and resume playback.
Way 4: Use Auto-Sync via Voice Activity
For Plex Pass users, there's an advanced feature that automatically syncs subtitles using voice activity analysis from the video. It's ideal when subtitles drift consistently throughout the video.
Make sure you’re using Plex Media Server version 1.41.0+.
Open Plex Server settings > Languages.
Enable Voice Activity Data collection.
Go to the subtitle settings of the video and turn on Auto-Sync Subtitles.
Play the video; Plex will analyze the audio and shift subtitles to match dialogue timing.
Way 5: Downgrade Plex Android App
If subtitles stopped working after updating the Plex Android app, some users have resolved the issue by rolling back to an earlier version.
Uninstall the current Plex app from your Android device.
Download an older stable version (e.g., 9.0.0) from a trusted APK site.
Install the APK manually (enable “Install from Unknown Sources” in settings).
Open Plex and check if subtitles work properly.
Disable automatic updates for the Plex app in the Play Store.
Way 6: Search and Download Subtitles in Plex
Plex supports direct subtitle downloads from OpenSubtitles.org using the movie’s hash. If your video is missing subtitles, this is the easiest way to get them automatically.
Open Plex Web App and go to your Library.
Choose the video and click the "…" > Subtitles > Search for Subtitles".
Select your desired language (e.g., English, Spanish, Chinese).
Plex will show available results from OpenSubtitles.
Click “Download” next to the subtitle version that matches your video.
Way 7: Restore Plex Library Database
On rare occasions, Plex may fail to load embedded subtitles due to database corruption, especially after a crash or OS-level issue. Restoring a previous backup can fix this.
Go to the location of your Plex database (varies by OS; e.g., ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/).
Find the "Plug-in Support/Databases" folder.
Backup the current database file (e.g., com.plexapp.plugins.library.db).
Replace it with an earlier backup (Plex usually keeps auto-backups).
Restart the Plex server and rescan your library.
Way 8: Generate Accurate Subtitles with AI
If subtitles are missing or badly timed, you can use AI tools like Edimakor AI subtitle generator to generate high-accuracy subtitle files. Edimakor which can add and download subtitles to video easily as well.
Key Features of Edimakor's Auto Subtitle Generator
Auto Subtitle: Generate free subtitles for your Plex videos and shows with AI technology in several clicks.
Multi-Language Subtitle: Auto subtitle videos and translate them into 130+ different languages.
Auto-Sync: Sync subtitles generated with your video timeline automatically and accurately.
Subtitle with Various Formats: Download Plex subtitles generated in SRT, LRC, ASS, VTT, and TXT.
Download and Install Edimakor
Download and install HitPaw Edimakor on your computer. Launch the software and upload your Plex video or audio files.
Auto Subtitle
Click "Auto Subtitle" from Subtitle section to generate subtitles for Plex videos automatically.
Preview & Export
Upon completion of the auto-subtitling process, review the generated subtitles for accuracy. Once content, proceed to export the video with the incorporated subtitles.
Way 9: Move subdirectories
Move all subdirectories to another hard drive not tracked by Plex subtitles >> Do 1st step again to TV shows >> "Refresh All" for both "Movies" and "TV shows" >> Copy both subdirectories back under the top level Movies directory >> "Refresh All" for both "Movies" and "TV shows" again >> Check all added subtitles can be seen on Plex media server and preview the video. >> Done!
Part 3: How to Add Subtitle to Plex Normally
To add subtitles to your Plex media library, follow these steps:
Enable Local Media Assets in Legacy Agents
Launch the Plex with subtitles Server application. Click on the Settings icon, usually a wrench or gear. In the left sidebar, under Manage, click on Libraries. Choose the library where you want to add subtitles. Click the three dots next to the library and select Manage Library then choose Edit.
Go to the Advanced tab. Under Agents, select Plex Movie for movies or The TVDB for TV shows. Local Media Assets is enabled and placed at the top of the list.
Embedded Subtitles
Plex supports the different subtitle formats like SRT, SSA, ASS, SMI, PSB, DFXP or VTT. If your media files have embedded subtitles, contained within the video file, Plex can automatically detect and use them.
External Subtitle Files
For external subtitles, place the subtitle file in the same directory as your video file. The subtitle file should have the same name as the video file. For example: Movie.mp4, Movie.eng.srt or Movie.fre.srt. You can add language suffixes to subtitle files. Alternatively, you can create a Subtitles folder within the media folder and place subtitle files there.
Refresh Metadata
After adding files of subtitles for Plex, go back to the Plex Media Server interface. Click the three dots next to your library and select Scan Library Files. Optionally, select Refresh All Metadata to ensure Plex detects the new subtitle files.
Part 4: How to Turn off Subtitle on Plex?
Now that your settings are configured, your subtitles will automatically appear on every video you watch or remain off, based on your preference. However, you might need to toggle Plex automatic subtitles or a specific movie or TV show. Here’s how to turn them off while watching a video:
Start Playing the Video
First, start playing the video. If the top and bottom bars have disappeared, move your cursor to bring them back into view.
Open Playback Settings
In the bottom right corner of the screen, locate and click the button that resembles an audio mixer, which looks like three vertical bars with dots. This will open a menu with several options. From there, click on Playback Settings.
Select Subtitle Option
Clicking on Playback Settings will bring up the playback settings menu. In this menu, you will see a dropdown menu next to the Subtitles option. Click on this dropdown menu to see the available subtitle tracks.
Turn Off the Subtitles
You can select the desired subtitle track from the list, or if you prefer to watch without subtitles, you can click on None to turn them off. This allows you to customize your viewing experience for each individual video, ensuring that subtitles are either displayed or hidden according to your needs.
FAQs About Plex Subtitles
Q1. Does Plex Download Subtitles?
A1. Yes, Plex can automatically download subtitles for your media using its built-in subtitle downloader feature, available to Plex Pass subscribers, or through agents like OpenSubtitles.
Q2. Does Plex Have a Plugin?
A2. Plex supports plugins, also known as channels, which extend its functionality. However, official support for plugins has been deprecated, and the current focus is on third-party tools and apps.
Q3. What if Plex Subtitles Out of Sync?
A2. If Plex subtitles are out of sync, you can manually adjust the timing using the subtitle delay feature within the player settings, or try downloading a different subtitle file.
Final Words
Fixing Plex subtitles not working issue is a simple and straightforward process. Whether you're watching a foreign film or just need a little help understanding dialogue, having subtitles available can make all the difference. And HitPaw Edimakor is also a nice subtitle solution when you still failed to solve Plex not showing subtitles issue.
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Yuraq Wambli
Editor-in-Chief
Yuraq Wambli is the Editor-in-Chief of Edimakor, dedicated to the art and science of video editing. With a passion for visual storytelling, Yuraq oversees the creation of high-quality content that offers expert tips, in-depth tutorials, and the latest trends in video production.
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