4 Easy Methods to Fix Subtitle Delay in VLC

Home >
Learn >
Video Editing Tips >
4 Easy Methods to Fix Subtitle Delay in VLC

Last Updated: 2024. 07. 09

VLC, an open source media player and video editor, works across various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. As of 2024, it has won over 3.5 billion downloads globally, thanks to its wide format support, customization options, and advanced playback features.

If you have encountered subtitle delay issues in VLC, don’t freak out. VLC offers the subtitle synchronization tool to help edit subtitle timings with great ease.

Why Subtitle Delay in VLC Issues Occur

Sync Subtitles with Video in VLC

Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC via Keyboard Shortcut Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC via Settings Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC on Mobile Devices

Permanently Fix Subtitle Delay Issues in VLC

Frequently Asked Questions

Free Video Templates Give Away

Preview

Travel Memories

Use This Template

Preview

Universal Slideshow

Use This Template

More Templates to Get Inspirations & Free to Customize →

Can't Miss: How to Enhance Video Quality >

Why Subtitle Delay in VLC Issues Occur

Understanding the reasons why subtitle delay issues occur is crucial to eliminate it permanently. Check the following content out!

Reason 1. Incorrect Subtitle Timing

The major difference between a subtitle file and a pure text file is that the front one contains timestamps. The timestamps are what a media player rely on to decide when to display each sentence. If the subtitles and the videos are out of sync, then the subtitles may be incorrectly timed relative to the video.

Subtitle File Example - TimeStamps

Reason 2. Video & Subtitle File Compatibility

Not all videos and subtitles can go together. For instance, different frame rates between the video and subtitle file can cause misalignment. Some video formats are just not good at handling subtitle synchronization as effectively as others.

Reason 3. Playback Performance Issues

Poor system performance may affect all software working properly. According to lots of users feedback, insufficient CPU or memory resources can cause subtitle unsync issues.

Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC via Keyboard Shortcut

If you find the subtitle delays less than 1 second, then using the keyboard shortcut is the easiest and the most effective way to go. Launch VLC, open the video and subtitle. Here is what to do next.

Hit the G button, your subtitle will move 50ms forward.

Press the H button on PC, or J on Mac, the subtitle will delay 50ms.

Delay Subtitle Using Keyboard Shortcut

1 second is equal to 1000 milliseconds. You can hit the corresponding keyboard to speed up or delay the subtitle as many times as you want. For instance, if you feel like speeding up the subtitle by 500 milliseconds, you should hit the G button for 10 times.

All shortcuts are default settings of VLC. You can also change the configured hotkeys to avoid hotkey conflicts or meet your personal preference. Move to Tools > Preferences > Hotkeys. You will be able to change them.

Adjust VLC Hotkeys

Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC via Settings

Several minutes of subtitle delay might take you hundreds of clicks. However, you can manually adjust the subtitle synchronization.

Step 1

Launch VLC media, open the video and play it.

Step 2

Go to Tools > Track Synchronization. This allows you to access all synchronization tools, including subtitle synchronization.

Access Track Synchronization

Step 3

Move to subtitle track synchronization. Input how many seconds you want to delay the subtitle. If you want to hasten the subtitle, put a minus button before the number. Hit close to finish.

Sync Subtitle and Video via Settings

Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC on Mobile Devices

If you are suffering from subtitle delay issue on mobile devices, the subtitle synchronization tool is still available, but it is at a different place than that of VLC desktop version.

Step 1

Open VLC and play a video. Click on the speech balloon icon on the down-left corner.

Step 2

Click on the Subtitles, switch to Subtitle Delay.

Step 3

Click the + button to delay the subtitle. Click the - button to fast-forward the subtitle.

Sync Subtitle with Video in VLC on Mobile Devices

Permanently Fix Subtitle Delay Issues in VLC

The above 3 methods only temporarily sync the video and audio. When you quit VLC, all changes will be discarded. To permanently fix subtitle delay issues, you should turn the softcoded subtitle into hardcoded ones with proper timing. Under this circumstance, FlexClip is the online subtitle shifter you need. Click the Sync Subtitle with Video button, and get started instantly!

Sync Subtitle with Video

Step 1

Go to the Media section, click on Upload Files, follow the prompt to upload your video from a local folder, mobile device, or cloud services.

Upload Video to FlexClip

Step 2

Move to Subtitles, click the Upload Subtitles. Select a subtitle file and upload. The subtitles will soon be merged with the video.

Upload Subtitle to FlexClip

Step 3

Hit CTRL to select all subtitle lines. Drag them forward or back a little bit so that the video and subtitles go perfectly with each other.

Sync Subtitle with Video

Step 4

Click on the subtitle. Go to the Style option above the preview window. Select a perfect subtitle font, size, position, or add animations like word-by-word subtitle.

Adjust Subtitle Style

Step 5

Your video with perfectly synced subtitles is ready to be exported and shared! Click on the Export button, save your video to computer, cloud services, share via a short link, or post to social media platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why I can’t sync subtitle and video in VLC?

There are two types of subtitles. One is hardcoded subtitle and the other is softcoded subtitle. If none of the method work for you, the subtitle on your video is hardcoded one. They are an integral part of the video and can’t be edited.

Under this circumstance, our suggestion is to remove the subtitles first, and then add subtitles with correct timings.