HandBrake, a free and open-source video transcoder, offers powerful tools for adding, managing, and customizing subtitles.
You can easily add soft subtitles for flexibility or burn them directly into your video for permanence.
In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through everything you need to know about subtitles on HandBrake.
How to Add Subtitles in HandBrake: Step by Step
You can add subtitles to your video in two ways in HandBrake : soft subtitles (which can be toggled on or off) or hardcoded subtitles (permanently embedded into the video). Follow these simple steps to do it by yourself:
Step 1: Launch HandBrake and Import Your Video File
Start by opening HandBrake on your computer. Click the “Open Source” button to select the video file you want to work on. HandBrake supports a wide range of video formats, so you should have no issues importing your file. Once the video is loaded, the interface will display the video preview and available settings.
Step 2: Navigate to the Subtitles Tab
After loading your video, click on the “Subtitles” tab in the lower menu. This section is where you manage all subtitle-related tasks, such as adding, removing, or customizing subtitle tracks.
Step 3: Add Existing Subtitle Tracks
You have two main options for adding subtitles:
Soft Subtitles:
Click the “Import SRT” button.
Browse your computer for the desired subtitle file in SRT format. Once selected, the track will appear in the list under the Subtitles tab.
Hardcoded Subtitles:
Select the subtitle track you want to embed from the available options or import an SRT file as described above.
Check the “Burn In” box next to the subtitle track. This ensures the subtitles are permanently displayed on the video.
Step 4: Configure Subtitle Settings
Once your subtitles are added, you can adjust their settings:
Language: Verify that the correct language is selected for your subtitles. HandBrake will typically detect this automatically.
Synchronization: Use the “Offset” feature to adjust the timing of your subtitles if they are out of sync with the video.
Default Track: If your video includes multiple subtitle tracks, designate one as the default track for playback.
Step 5: Preview the Video
Before proceeding with encoding, click the “Preview” button to verify that your subtitles appear as intended. This is especially important for hardcoded subtitles, as errors can’t be fixed once they are embedded.
Step 6: Choose Output Format and Destination
Under the “Summary” tab, select the desired output format for your video (e.g., MP4 or MKV). Then, specify the destination folder where the encoded video will be saved. Make sure the selected format supports subtitles, especially if you’re adding soft subtitles.
Step 7: Start the Encoding Process
Once all settings are configured, click the “Start Encode” button at the top of the interface. HandBrake will begin encoding your video with the added subtitles. The encoding time depends on the length and complexity of the video.
How to Remove Subtitles in HandBrake
Sometimes, you may need to remove subtitles from a video, whether they were mistakenly added or no longer needed. HandBrake makes this process simple, though it requires re-encoding the video to apply the changes :
Step 1: Open Your Video in HandBrake
Launch HandBrake and click the “Open Source” button to load the video you want to edit. Once loaded, navigate to the “Subtitles” tab, where you’ll see all the subtitle tracks currently associated with your video.
Step 2: Identify the Subtitle Tracks
In the Subtitles tab, you’ll find a list of subtitle tracks. These may include tracks embedded in the video file or external subtitle files you’ve previously added. Review the list to identify the tracks you want to remove.
Step 3: Remove the Selected Subtitle Tracks
To remove a subtitle track, select it from the list and click the “Clear” button. This action will delete the track from the encoding settings. Repeat this process for all subtitle tracks you wish to remove.
Step 4: Adjust Encoding Settings
After removing the subtitles, ensure that all other encoding settings are configured to your preferences. This includes video quality, format, and destination folder. Removing subtitles does not affect these settings, but it’s a good opportunity to verify everything before proceeding.
Step 5: Re-Encode the Video
Click the “Start Encode” button to begin the re-encoding process. This step is necessary to save the video without the subtitles. Depending on the length and complexity of the video, this process may take some time.
HandBrake FAQ & Troubleshooting
Here are answers to common questions and troubleshooting tips to help you navigate potential issues in HandBrake :
1. Why aren’t my subtitles displaying after encoding?
Cause: This may occur if the subtitle track wasn’t properly selected or configured before encoding.
Solution: Revisit the Subtitles tab and ensure the desired track is added and marked as “Default” or “Burn In” for hardcoded subtitles.
2. Why is the “Burn In” option greyed out?
Cause: The subtitle file format may not be supported for burning in (e.g., only certain formats like SRT can be hardcoded).
Solution: Convert your subtitle file to SRT using a subtitle editor before re-importing it into HandBrake.
3. How can I fix subtitle synchronization issues?
Cause: Subtitles may not align with the video’s timing due to mismatched frame rates or incorrect offsets.
Solution: Use the “Offset” feature in HandBrake’s Subtitles tab to adjust timing. Alternatively, edit the subtitle file with tools like Aegisub to correct synchronization.
4. What should I do if HandBrake crashes during encoding?
Cause: This may be due to high resource usage or incompatible video files.
Solution: Ensure your computer meets HandBrake’s system requirements and try encoding smaller sections of the video. Updating HandBrake to the latest version can also resolve stability issues.
5. Can I extract subtitles from a video using HandBrake?
Answer: No, HandBrake does not support extracting embedded subtitles. Use tools like MKVToolNix or Subtitle Edit for this purpose.
Tips for Troubleshooting
Update HandBrake Regularly: New versions often fix bugs and improve performance.
Consult HandBrake’s Documentation: The official HandBrake guide and community forums are invaluable resources.
Test with Different Media Players: If subtitles aren’t displaying, try playing the video on another media player to rule out player-specific issues.
Add & Burn Subtitles with AI: Checksub
Checksub is a modern subtitle editor that combines automation with detailed customization. Its AI-powered tools simplify the subtitling process while maintaining high-quality results.
AI Subtitle Generator: Checksub's speech-to-text technology generates from your video accurate, synced-in, well-aligned subtitles.
Extensive Language Support: Supports 267 languages, enabling seamless subtitle creation for a global audience.
Customizable Styles: Users can tweak font size, color, positioning, and even add animations to create visually appealing subtitles.
Burn in Subtitles in one click: you can export VTT, SRT files or burn the subtitles in the video with all the customization in one click
Team Collaboration: Checksub includes features for role assignments, review processes, and project management, making it ideal for collaborative environments.
