How to Adjust Subtitle Delay in VLC for Perfect Sync

VLC is one of the most popular applications because of its ability to play different formats of videos and music. However, VLC subtitle delay is one problem that can mar the experience, particularly when using external subtitles. This problem can be caused by the instability of VLC or its incorrect settings.

In this write-up, we will present different solutions that can be used to solve subtitle delays for both computer and mobile devices. Therefore, please continue reading to discover a simple way of solving it!

Part 1: Manually Fix VLC Subtitle Delay with Keyboard Shortcut

When watching a video in VLC, sometimes the subtitles do not match the audio. They might come early or late. But do not worry! It is possible to adjust or change the subtitle delay in VLC without stopping playing the video. It is easy to change the timing of the subtitles using simple keyboard shortcuts. This method is easy, fast and does not involve any setting to be inputted. It is an effective way to watch your video without any interruption!

Step 1Check if the subtitles are early or late

Watch the video briefly and see if the subtitles appear before or after the dialogue.

Step 2Use the shortcut to delay or advance the subtitles

• Click the H key on your keyboard if the subtitles are too early. It will delay the subtitles. Each press of the H key delays them by 50 milliseconds (ms).

• If the subtitles are showing too late, press the G key. It will advance the subtitles. Each press of the G key moves them forward by 50 ms.

Step 3Test the timing

After pressing the shortcut, watch more to check if the subtitles match the audio. Keep adjusting with the G or H keys until they sync perfectly.

Tip: You can see the exact delay time in the top-right corner of the VLC window while adjusting. It makes it easy to track how much you have changed the timing.

Part 2: How to Fix VLC Subtitle Delay on Android and iPhone

If you are a VLC user of your Android or iPhone and realize that the subtitle is not in harmony with the audio, you are among the many users who experience the same problem. But do not worry; we have a solution for that. Whether you use Android or iPhone, fixing this subtitle delay problem is easy. Well, let me guide you on how to fix the delay of subtitles in VLC so you can enjoy your content.

Fix Subtitle Delay on Android

Step 1Run the VLC application on your Android device. Pick a video or movie you want to watch. Start playing it and check if the subtitles sync with the audio.

Step 2Look at the playback controls while the video is playing. Tap the Speech Balloon button near the Play button.

Step 3After tapping the Speech balloon button, select Subtitles track from the menu. It will let you check if the subtitles are turned on. If they are not, add a subtitle file to enable them.

Step 4From the same menu, tap Subtitle delay. This option helps you fix timing issues with the subtitles if they do not match the audio.

Step 5Let us adjust the timing; here is how you do it:

• To delay subtitles, Tap the plus (+) button.

• To advance subtitles, Tap the minus (-) button.

Test it by watching a few seconds of the video. Keep tapping the plus or minus buttons until the subtitles are perfectly synced.

Fix Subtitle Delay on iPhone

Step 1Launch the VLC application on your iPhone. Choose the video or movie you want to watch. Play it and check if the subtitles match the audio.

Step 2While the video is playing, look at the bottom-right corner of the screen. Tap the Speech Balloon button to open the subtitle settings. Make sure subtitles are turned on. If they are off, select the correct subtitle file to enable them.

Step 3In the same area of the screen, tap the Clock button. This option lets you adjust the timing of the subtitles.

Step 4You will see a subtitle delay slider with a circle button. Move the bar to the right if the subtitles appear before the sound. It will delay the subtitles so they appear later. Move the bar to the left if the subtitles come after the sound. It will make the subtitles appear sooner.

Watch a bit of the video to test if the subtitles and audio are now in sync. Keep adjusting until they match perfectly.

Part 3: Fix VLC Subtitle Delay with Its Best Alternative

If you are annoyed with the VLC subtitle delay problem, then it is high time that you use AVAide Blu-ray Player. While VLC has a common problem of subtitle synchronization with videos, AVAide Blu-ray Player guarantees seamless synchronization. It is simple to include subtitle files in .srt, .ass, and .ssa formats. Once uploaded, the player syncs them with the video, so you do not have to adjust them repeatedly.

This player works with various media, including Blu-ray discs, DVDs, ISO files, and common formats like MP4 and AVI. It supports high-quality playback up to 4K and offers Dolby Digital and DTS for clear audio. Its flexible playback controls let you pause, rewind, and forward with ease. With hardware decoding powered by AMD, Intel, and NVIDIA, AVAide Blu-ray Player delivers stable image quality.

Step 1First, download, install, and launch the AVAide Blu-ray Player on your computer.

Step 2On the main screen, click the Open File button to load your video. If you want to play a Blu-ray disc or DVD, ensure your computer has a Blu-ray/DVD drive. Then, click the Open Disc to load the disc.

Step 3After the video loads, head to the Video menu, select the Subtitle Track option and click Add Subtitle. Here, you can import subtitle files, such as .srt, .ass, or .ssa.

Step 4As soon as the subtitles are loaded, start the video. The player will also help you synchronize the subtitles with the audio.

During the video, you can use the playback controls. These controls enable one to stop, rewind or even advance; this makes it easier to ensure that the subtitles and the audio are in harmony.

By Bryan Simmonds on May 30, 2025