If you want to get subtitles automatically for movies in VLC Media Player, then you can simply do it with the help of a VLC add-on called VLSub. It is the highest rated add-on for the player due to its usefulness. Once you download and install the simple plugin, it will automatically search for subtitles for the current movie that is being played. So, make sure you are connected to the internet. It displays a list of choices that it has found and you can choose the correct one for your video.

What this VLC subtitle plugin does is that, once installed, it adds a new menu as View > VLSub. Click on the new menu item, specify the search criteria—search by hash or search by name—and the results will show. It scours popular subtitle provider websites based on the search criteria. Pick the best matching result for your video and the subtitles will be loaded. You will need VLC 2.2.* or VLC 3 for it to work.

Install the plugin, access it and search. It is as easy as that. No more manually downloading, browsing and loading subtitles for each and every movie that you play. Everything is handled by the software.

Here are the detailed steps for you to get subtitles automatically for movies in VLC Media Player:

  • Download the plugin from here.
  • Extract the contents of the zip file.
  • From the extracts, browse and find the lua file; move it to your /lua/extensions/ folder.
    The extensions folder for different OS are as follows:
    • Windows: C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC\lua\extensions\
    • Linux: /usr/lib/vlc/lua/extensions/
    • MAC OS X: /Users/<your_name>/Library/Application Support/org.videolan.vlc/lua/extensions/
  • Restart or open VLC Media Player.
  • Access View > VLsub.
    VLsub in VLC Menu
  • Click on Search by name after confirming the movie title. Change it if you have to.
  • Highlight the correct subtitle and click on Download selection.
    Automatically Loading Subtitles in VLC

Your subtitle file will be downloaded and you will start to see the subtitle text on the screen immediately. If you need to change it then repeat the process. Access View > VLSub > Research after you have loaded something using the plugin. This menu is for searching for a new file.

If you have problems in installing VLSub: Learn How to Install a VLC Media Player Addon .lua extension

If you want another option/plugin instead of VLSub, try: Subtitles finder.

In VLC For Android

If you use VLC in your smartphone, then know that it doesn't require any special add on to load subtitles. There's a built in feature for that. After you load a movie, press the Audio tracks and subtitle button (the second button from the left on the interface itself). After that tap on the Download subtitles option. The Android app will automatically search for the subtitle and load it on your device's screen.

All the details for the Android app: Downloading Subtitles Automatically or Manually in VLC for Android

Download Subtitles in App

For options in the Android app related to the subtitles, go to Settings from the hamburger menu. Scroll down to Extra settings where you will find the Subtitles option. Tap on it and you can choose the attributes for it (size, color, background) along with auto loading. An important option here if you are downloading subtitles is the Subtitles download language. Under it, you can choose the various languages that you want your VLC app to download the movie dialogues in.