How to Get Subtitles on KODI with OpenSubtitles (2021)

In this guide, I will show you how to get subtitles on Kodi 18 and older versions using the OpenSubtitles.org and Subscene.com subtitle services. The methods I have described here work for Kodi on FireStick, Windows PC, Mac, Nvidia Shield, Android, and all other Kodi supported devices.

Kodi subtitles become essential sometimes, especially when the audio quality isn’t great or when I must keep the volume low to avoid causing disturbance to the others around. At night, I bring down the volume to the barely-audible level and cannot do without the subtitles. Of course, when I am watching a video in a foreign language, I need my subtitles.

Well, these are my reasons to add subtitles to Kodi and since you are reading this guide, I am assuming you have your own. This is precisely why I have put together this walkthrough to show you how to get subtitles on Kodi. Keep reading!

Important!!! Some addons require subtitles to be enabled within addon settings for the subtitles to work. If the subtitles don’t work for you, make sure you enable it within the addon. I have provided the steps later in this guide.

How to Get Kodi Subtitles Using OpenSubtitles

Opensubtitles is probably the best subtitles service for Kodi. This service has subtitles in a wide range of languages and for nearly all the movies and TV shows that have been released so far.

If you are looking for Kodi subtitles, OpenSubtitles will always be my first recommendation. And, while exploring the subtitles on Kodi, you will see it for yourself that OpenSubtitles has the best ones.

So, without much ado, let’s learn how to get subtitles on Kodi from OpenSubtitles.org.

Attention KODI Users: Read before you continue

Kodi Addons / builds offer unlimited streaming content, but could also get you into legal trouble if caught streaming free Movies / TV shows / Sports. Kodi users are strongly advised to always connect a VPN while streaming online. A good Kodi VPN hides your identity, bypasses government surveillance, geo-blocked content, and ISP throttling (which also helps in buffer-free streaming).

I use ExpressVPN which is the fastest and most secure VPN. It is very easy to install on any device including Amazon FireStick. You get 3-months free and save 49% on its annual plans. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, you can always ask for a refund.

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Read: How to install and use a Kodi VPN

Step 1: The first thing you want to do is register for an account at OpenSubtitles.org. Unfortunately, the subtitles for Kodi from OpenSubtitles cannot be used without the registration. Go to https://www.opensubtitles.org and click the Register link at the top of the page.

Follow the on-screen instructions to register and to create a username and password

Step 2: Now launch Kodi and select ‘Add-ons’ on the left panel on the home screen

Step 3: Open the Package Installer option on the top-left of the screen. It looks like an open box.

Step 4: Click ‘Install from repository’ on the next screen

Step 5: Click ‘Kodi Add-on repository’ when you see the list of the repositories. This is the official Kodi repository that comes pre-installed with Kodi

Please note that if you haven’t installed at least one repository other than the Kodi Add-on repository, you will not see the list of the repositories above. Instead, after clicking ‘Install from repository’ in step 4, you will be taken directly to the screen that I have added to step 6.

Step 6: Click ‘Subtitles’ when you see this window

Step 7: Now click ‘OpenSubtitles.org’ from the list

Step 8: Click ‘Install’ button that you see on the bottom-right of the next screen

Step 9: Now wait for the ‘Opensubtitles.org add-on installed’ notification (top right; see image below)

Step 10: Now click ‘OpenSubtitles.org’ one more time and then click the ‘Configure’ button on the next window

Step 11: You will now see the following dialogue box. Click ‘Username’ and enter the username you created for Kodi subtitles at OpenSubtitles.org in Step 1

Click ‘Password’ and enter your OpenSubtitles account password. Click ‘OK’ once done.

Step 12: Return to Kodi home-screen and click ‘Settings’ (the cog icon)

Step 13: Open ‘Player settings’ on Kodi 17.6 or just ‘Player’ on Kodi Leia.

Step 14: On the bottom left, where you see the cog icon, make sure Standard (or anything other than Basic) is selected. Now select the ‘Language’ option on the left panel of the next window

Step 15: On the right, click ‘Languages to download subtitles for’ in ‘Download Services’ to choose your preferred language for subtitles for Kodi. For most of us, the default language will be English.

Step 16: Next, click ‘Default TV show service’ to set up Kodi subtitles for TV shows.

Step 17: Now click ‘Get more…’ button for the list of all the available subtitles for Kodi. Select ‘OpenSubtitles.org’ and click it to download it. As you can see, I have already downloaded OpenSubtitles.org, therefore it is appearing on the list.

Step 18: Once you have downloaded OpenSubtitles.org, click it (as shown in the image below) to set it up as the Kodi subtitle service.

Step 19: Now click ‘Default movie service’ and repeat Step 18

Step 20: This is how the screen will look like once you install and set up Opensubtitles on Kodi

Well, this is pretty much you need to do to add Kodi subtitles. Now, go ahead and play the TV show or movie of your choice and click the subtitles icon on the bottom right. OpenSubtitles will lookup for the subtitles for the title you are playing.

Before you start streaming with Kodi Addons / Builds, I would like to warn you that everything you stream on Kodi is visible to your ISP and Government. This means, streaming copyrighted content (free movies, TV shows, Sports) might get you into legal trouble.

Kodi users are strongly advised to connect a VPN while streaming. A VPN for Kodi will bypass ISP throttling, Government Surveillance, and geo-restriction on popular Add-ons. I always connect ExpressVPN on all my streaming devices and I suggest you do the same.

ExpressVPN is the fastest and most secure VPN. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Meaning, you can use it freely for the first 30-days and if you are not satisfied with the performance (which is highly unlikely), you can ask for the full refund.

NOTE: We do not encourage the violation of the copyright laws. But, what if you end up streaming content from an illegitimate source unintentionally? It is not always easy to tell the difference between a legit and illegal source.

So, before you start streaming on Kodi, here's how to get VPN protection in 3 simple steps.

Step 1: Get the ExpressVPN subscription HERE.

Step 2: Click HERE to download and install the ExpressVPN app on your device.

Step 3: Click the Power icon to connect a VPN server. That's all. Your connection is now secure with the fastest and best VPN for Kodi.

Subtitles not working? Enable Subtitles in the addon Settings

Some addons must have subtitles enabled for the subtitles to work. You can do that from within the addon settings. I am using Exodus Redux addon in this example. However, the steps work much the same for other addons.

Here are the steps:

1- Go to Add-ons > Video add-ons from the Kodi home screen and open Exodus Redux addon

2- Scroll down on the main screen of Exodus Redux and click Tools

3- On the next window, click SETTINGS: Subtitles

4- Make sure the Subtitles option in the left menu is still selected

On the right, switch ON the option Enable Subtitles

5- Click OK to save the changes

How to Get Subtitles on Kodi Without Registration

I have no second thoughts about the fact that Opensubtitles is the best Kodi subtitles service. But, it is also true that it takes a little doing to set it up on Kodi. If you want to install subtitles on Kodi rather quickly, I have another option for you – Subscene Kodi subtitle service.

Subscene may not have as many subtitles for Kodi as OpenSubtitles but it can do the job fairly well for the most part. And, you can set it up directly from within Kodi without having to register an account.

Let me show you how to add subtitles to Kodi using the Subscene.com service in quick and easy steps

Step 1: Go back to the Kodi home-screen and click ‘Settings’ on the top-right (just under the Kodi logo). Now, click ‘Player Settings’ from the list of the options (or ‘Player’ on Kodi Leia 18)

Step 2: Now, select the ‘Language’ option on the left panel and under ‘Download Services’ on the right click ‘Languages to download subtitles for’ to change/select the desired language Kodi subtitles. English is the default language and if English is the language you want, leave this option untouched.

Step 3: Now click ‘Default TV show service’

Step 4: Click ‘Get more…’ button and download the Subscene.com subtitle service for Kodi. I had already downloaded it and that is why you can see it on this list. Once you have installed Subscene.com, it will also appear on your list

Step 5: Now click ‘Subscene.com’ to make it your default Kodi subtitles service

Step 6: Now click ‘Default movie service’ and repeat Step 5.

You have now successfully set up Subscene.com and it will fetch you the available subtitles for Kodi for the specific title you are playing.

Note: Selecting Subscene.com as your default subtitle service for Kodi does not mean you cannot use Opensubtitles anymore. While looking up for the subtitle when the title is playing, you can always choose Opensubtitles or any other subtitle service you may have installed.

Conclusion

Kodi experience sometimes becomes more enjoyable with the subtitles. OpenSubtitles and Subscene are the two best subtitles for Kodi. Subscene is a quicker way to get the subtitles on Kodi. However, on occasions, you will notice that Subscene subtitles are out of sync with the video. That seems like a setback but it doesn’t have to be. While playing the video you can always offset the subtitle by delaying or advancing it to bring it in sync. Offsetting usually works. But, when it doesn’t, you can always go with OpenSubtitles. I have barely experienced any syncing issues with it.

So, this is how we set up Kodi subtitles using the top two subtitle services. If you have any questions, feedback or suggestions, feel free to fill us in through the comments section below.

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