How to Add External Subtitles in Windows Media Player and Best Alternatives

How to Add External Subtitles in Windows Media Player

To add external subtitles in Windows Media Player, follow these steps to ensure a seamless viewing experience:

Ensure Compatibility

Make sure the subtitle file is in a compatible format such as .srt or .sub.

Rename the Subtitle File

For easier syncing, rename the subtitle file to match the video file name. For example, if your video is named , rename the subtitle file to or

Place Files in the Same Folder

Ensure both the video file and the subtitle file are in the same directory to avoid any syncing issues.

Open the Video

Launch Windows Media Player and open the video file. You can do this by dragging the video file into the player or using the following method:

Right-click on the video while it’s playing. Navigate to Lyrics, Captions, and Subtitles. Select On if available. This option should enable the subtitles if they are correctly loaded.

Adjust Subtitle Settings if needed

You can adjust subtitle settings such as font size and color in the player's options under:

Tools > Options > Playback > Captions

If the subtitles do not appear, ensure the subtitle file is correctly formatted and check if the codec used for the video is supported by Windows Media Player. If you continue to have issues, consider using a different media player like VLC which has more robust subtitle support.

Why Other Media Players like CnX Player are Better for Subtitling

Adding external subtitles can be cumbersome in Windows Media Player. If you are looking for a better solution, you may want to consider using CnX Player, which is known for its user-friendly interface and full-language support.

Using CnX Player to Add External Subtitles

Here’s how to easily play your videos with external subtitles in CnX Player:

On the video playback screen, click on the 3rd icon on the top right of the screen. Select the External tab on the popup. A list of all the associated external subtitle files on your device will be listed. Select the file you wish to attach to the video.

For a more detailed guide, check out this page: [CnX Player Subtitle Guide]()

Conclusion

While Windows Media Player can handle basic subtitle functionalities, it may not be the best choice if you need multiple language support or greater flexibility. For a more seamless and comprehensive experience, consider using media players like CnX Player or VLC.