As an owner of a Chromecast device, I know how frustrating it can be when you’re trying to watch a movie or tv show but the subtitles don’t display properly.
After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this issue and some other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’ll be walking you through a brief guide on how to Chromecast a video with subtitles.
| Tips: |
|---|
| Enable live captions in the browser settings to Chromecast a video with subtitles from a computer |
| Download and use the LocalCast app to Chromecast a video with subtitles from a phone |
| Try out other 3rd party apps to find the one that works best for you with subtitles |
| Adjust the subtitle offset in parts of seconds to adjust for any delays |
Table of Contents
How to Chromecast a Video with Subtitles from a Computer
Here are all the different methods that you can use to enable captions and subtitles on your streaming videos.
Using Chrome Browser
Although streaming videos directly by dragging and dropping them into the Google browser is the easiest way to do it, it can have many problems that make it unrecommended.
In addition to being a bit laggy, it also has a relatively limited supported list of formats that it can play.
To play videos with subtitles, you need to enable live captions in the browser settings. Keep in mind that these are speech recognition captions and not actually SRT subtitles. Here’s how to do it:
- Download the latest version of the Google Chrome Browser
- Open the settings menu (the three dots menu on the top right), then choose settings.
- In the settings menu, click advanced > accessibility, then turn on Live Caption
- Plug the HDMI and USB cables of the Chromecast into your TV
- Make sure that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- Open the settings menu again, and choose “Cast”
- Press Ctrl + O to browse and choose the file you want to play, or simply drag and drop the file into a new tab.
If you’re using Google Home on your TV, make sure that captions are turned on Library > Settings > System > Accessibility > Caption, then turn on “Display”.
Using VideoStream App
VideoStream is an excellent alternative if you want to play videos without any lagging on your Chromecast TV, all the while enjoying SRT subtitles.
The app is free but you can also subscribe to a premium plan to remove ads and enjoy other features like playlist casting. Here’s how to watch stream subtitled videos using this extension:
- Install the “VideoStream for Google Chromecast” app by clicking here. You also need to have the latest Google Chrome version installed.
- Plug the HDMI and USB cables of the Chromecast into your TV
- Make sure that both devices are connected to the same WiFi network
- Open the Google Chrome settings menu again, and choose “Cast”
- Open the app, and tap “Choose a Video”
- Click on the video you want to stream, and press “Open”.
- In the video player window, click on the captions tab next to the volume.
- Choose “Add External Subtitle file” on the left. This opens a browse menu, where you should click on the SRT file, then “Open”.
After doing that, subtitles should appear right away. You can also adjust the subtitle offset in parts of seconds to adjust for any delays.
How to Chromecast a Video with Subtitles from a Phone
Read more: Can I use Chromecast on another TV?
Similar to computers, Chromecast videos that are streamed from phones can also display subtitles normally.
One of the best apps that are easy to use and support subtitles is LocalCast. Here’s how to use it:
- First, you’ll need to download and install the LocalCast app on your phone. The app is actually available for both iOS and Android devices, so you can click here to download the suitable version for your system.
- Open the downloaded app, and connect to your Chromecast device by tapping the connect icon in the bottom right corner of the home screen.
- After connecting, you’ll be able to play the videos on your computer by swiping right, then choosing videos under the Library section.
- Choose the video and tap it.
- On the “Now Playing” page, choose “add subtitles”
- Locate the SRT file, then tap it.
Final Thoughts
Read more: Connect Chromecast to TV without USB port
This marks the end of today’s guide that shows you how to watch a video with subtitles using Chromecast, whether you’re streaming through your computer or through your phone.
While many 3rd party apps may not work well with subtitles, there are some that do. The method that each one of these software solutions uses may vary, so make sure that you try them out and choose the one that works best for you.
