THE QUICK ANSWER

Get started

Use Kodi’s playback subtitle controls to select a track or correct its timing. For a separate subtitle file, match the filename to the video or browse for it from the playback menu.

IPVANISH · AFFILIATE PARTNER

Change your IP location. Set up IPVanish.

Add IPVanish to your viewing setup to choose your connection location and encrypt traffic to its servers. Install it on a supported device, then open your streaming app separately.

Choose a country in IPVanish, connect, then open your streaming app. The service sees the VPN server’s IP location instead of your usual one. That can help you access location-dependent services where your subscription and the provider’s rules allow it, while encrypting traffic between your device and the VPN server.

Get IPVanish Read our VPN guides →
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you buy through this link, at no extra cost to you. Check the current plan price and renewal terms before purchasing.
How to set up IPVanish for streaming
  1. Check your viewing option. Choose the broadcaster and plan for your event or title from the viewing options above.
  2. Install and sign in. Choose your IPVanish plan, then install the IPVanish app from your device’s app store and sign in. Our Android TV setup guide explains the steps for compatible TV boxes.
  3. Choose a location and connect. Select a server in the country you want to connect through. Wait until IPVanish confirms the connection.
  4. Open your streaming app. Sign in to the broadcaster separately and open the event or title. Your VPN subscription does not include a TV subscription, sports pass or pay-per-view purchase.

Streaming & VPN compatibility →

EntertainmentBox editorial cover: Kodi subtitles: select a track, fix timing and use local files
Original editorial cover illustration. EntertainmentBox

Choose a track and adjust the timing

Kodi can display subtitles embedded in a video or stored separately. Its playback menu lets you choose between available tracks.

  1. Open the subtitle controls during playback and enable subtitles.
  2. Select the track you want, if more than one is available.
  3. Adjust Subtitle offset until the captions line up with the dialogue.

Load a subtitle file you already have

Put an external subtitle file beside the video with the same base filename: for example, Evening.mp4 and Evening.srt. Alternatively, choose Browse for subtitle during playback and select the file yourself.

Set up subtitle downloads

Kodi needs a configured subtitle service to search for downloads. Some services need their own settings or login; check the service before using it.

  1. Open Kodi’s Player settings and Language options.
  2. Choose your subtitle languages and default services for TV episodes and films, using Get more to find additional services.
  3. Complete any configuration required by the service, then use the subtitle download option during playback.

Add IPVanish for online viewing

If you want connection privacy for online viewing, IPVanish encrypts internet traffic and masks your IP address. Keep subtitle selection and timing in Kodi’s playback controls.

On a supported Android TV device, install IPVanish, open it and sign in. Select CONNECT and approve the connection request. Follow the provider’s setup guide for your actual device before streaming.

Adjust subtitles during playback

Kodi’s playback controls let you select a subtitle track and adjust its timing. A forced subtitle track is handled separately from the normal subtitles switch.

  1. Open the subtitle controls while the video is playing and select the available subtitle track.
  2. Use Subtitle offset to correct timing. Choose Set as default for all videos only if you want to keep those settings.

Use a local subtitle file

For a local subtitle file, Kodi documents matching the subtitle filename to the video and keeping both files together. You can also browse for the subtitle file during playback.

  1. Place the subtitle file in the same folder as the video and match their names, keeping the correct file extensions.
  2. Open the playback subtitle menu and browse for the local subtitle file if it is not selected automatically.

Sources & verification

We use official sources and automated checks to prepare this guide. Availability and prices can change.

Spotted something that needs correcting?