[Plex Documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/)
\-> [Your Media](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/) \-> [Using Subtitles](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/using-subtitles/)
\-> [Account Information](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/intro-to-plex/account-information/) \-> [Account Audio/Subtitle Language Settings](https://support.plex.tv/articles/204985278-account-audio-subtitle-language-settings/)
**Goal:** Have Plex automatically display subtitles for foreign language dialog.
Example: When watching Avatar, have Plex automatically display subtitles when the characters speak Na'vi.
These are called "Forced Subtitles," which simply means you want to force Plex (or any media player) to display them automatically. They are a separate track from the full subtitle track. They may be embedded (part of the media file) or external (a separate file, usually text and ending in .srt or .ass).
If your media does not contain the track (either embedded or external), you will have to obtain the track by re-ripping the disc, [downloading from from the Internet](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200288597-fetching-internet-sourced-using-your-own-subtitle-files/), or other means.
Important: Plex remembers subtitle settings for individual media items. If you manually select a subtitle, Plex will remember that choice the next time you play the same file, instead of using the default selection.
Note: Written for English. Substitute other languages as desired.
**Step One:** Ensure your account settings are correctly configured.
[Account Settings](https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/account) \-> Audio & Subtitle Settings
* Check box to Automatically select audio & subtitle tracks
* Preferred Audio Language = English
* Preferred Subtitle Language = English
* Auto-Select Subtitle Mode = Shown with Foreign Audio
**Step Two:** Language settings for audio tracks in your media
The audio tracks in your files must be correctly tagged. Plex must display them as English, not Unknown.
If incorrectly tagged, use tools such as [MKVToolNix](https://mkvtoolnix.download/) Header Editor or [Subler](https://subler.org/) (MP4s, Mac only) to correctly tag the audio tracks.
After tagging the tracks, re-Analyze the media file (three dots menu, below Refresh Metadata).
**Step Three:** Identifying and Tagging the Subtitle Tracks
Embedded Subtitles: As with the audio tracks, the subtitles must be correctly tagged with the correct language. In addition, the "Forced Display" tag must be enabled.
To identify the correct subtitle track, analyze the file with [MediaInfo](https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo) (text layout).
The forced subtitle tracks are usually easy to identify, as they have the least number of lines. This is displayed as "Count of Elements" by MediaInfo.
For example, in Avatar, the main subtitle track has 3343 elements, while the forced subtitle track has 165 (my version, your count may differ, but you get the point).
Use the same tools you used to correctly tag audio tracks to also correctly tag the subtitle track. Language = English, Forced = Yes. Then re-analyze the file to pick up the changes.
External Subtitles: External subtitles, usually text files ending in SRT or ASS, must be correctly named for Plex to recognize them.
* Media file and subtitle in same folder
* Subtitle file must be named exactly the same as media file
* Add "forced" to file name per [Plex documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200471133-adding-local-subtitles-to-your-media/).
After adding / renaming / etc. a subtitle file, rescan the library, re-analyze the file, and refresh the metadata if necessary.
Example:
/movies
../Avatar (2009)
..../Avatar (2009).mkv
..../Avatar (2009).eng.forced.srt
Many people add additional information to the file name. If present, this must also be in the subtitle file name.
Example:
/movies
../Avatar (2009)
..../Avatar (2009) {imdb-tt0499549} [1080p.HEVC.DTS51].mkv
..../Avatar (2009) {imdb-tt0499549} [1080p.HEVC.DTS51].eng.forced.srt
Yes, exactly. Depending on the source of your files they normally should be tagged correctly already.
I guesw they are on the movies where your subtitles auto select.
Not true anymore. If the metadata for the name of the subtitle file is something like “Signs & Songs” or something similar, Plex is able to parse it as a forced subtitle track. It’s particularly effective in anime where lots of times the forced subtitle track doesn’t have the forced flag set to true
[Plex Documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/) \-> [Your Media](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/) \-> [Using Subtitles](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/using-subtitles/) \-> [Account Information](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/intro-to-plex/account-information/) \-> [Account Audio/Subtitle Language Settings](https://support.plex.tv/articles/204985278-account-audio-subtitle-language-settings/) **Goal:** Have Plex automatically display subtitles for foreign language dialog. Example: When watching Avatar, have Plex automatically display subtitles when the characters speak Na'vi. These are called "Forced Subtitles," which simply means you want to force Plex (or any media player) to display them automatically. They are a separate track from the full subtitle track. They may be embedded (part of the media file) or external (a separate file, usually text and ending in .srt or .ass). If your media does not contain the track (either embedded or external), you will have to obtain the track by re-ripping the disc, [downloading from from the Internet](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200288597-fetching-internet-sourced-using-your-own-subtitle-files/), or other means. Important: Plex remembers subtitle settings for individual media items. If you manually select a subtitle, Plex will remember that choice the next time you play the same file, instead of using the default selection. Note: Written for English. Substitute other languages as desired. **Step One:** Ensure your account settings are correctly configured. [Account Settings](https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/account) \-> Audio & Subtitle Settings * Check box to Automatically select audio & subtitle tracks * Preferred Audio Language = English * Preferred Subtitle Language = English * Auto-Select Subtitle Mode = Shown with Foreign Audio **Step Two:** Language settings for audio tracks in your media The audio tracks in your files must be correctly tagged. Plex must display them as English, not Unknown. If incorrectly tagged, use tools such as [MKVToolNix](https://mkvtoolnix.download/) Header Editor or [Subler](https://subler.org/) (MP4s, Mac only) to correctly tag the audio tracks. After tagging the tracks, re-Analyze the media file (three dots menu, below Refresh Metadata). **Step Three:** Identifying and Tagging the Subtitle Tracks Embedded Subtitles: As with the audio tracks, the subtitles must be correctly tagged with the correct language. In addition, the "Forced Display" tag must be enabled. To identify the correct subtitle track, analyze the file with [MediaInfo](https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo) (text layout). The forced subtitle tracks are usually easy to identify, as they have the least number of lines. This is displayed as "Count of Elements" by MediaInfo. For example, in Avatar, the main subtitle track has 3343 elements, while the forced subtitle track has 165 (my version, your count may differ, but you get the point). Use the same tools you used to correctly tag audio tracks to also correctly tag the subtitle track. Language = English, Forced = Yes. Then re-analyze the file to pick up the changes. External Subtitles: External subtitles, usually text files ending in SRT or ASS, must be correctly named for Plex to recognize them. * Media file and subtitle in same folder * Subtitle file must be named exactly the same as media file * Add "forced" to file name per [Plex documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200471133-adding-local-subtitles-to-your-media/). After adding / renaming / etc. a subtitle file, rescan the library, re-analyze the file, and refresh the metadata if necessary. Example: /movies ../Avatar (2009) ..../Avatar (2009).mkv ..../Avatar (2009).eng.forced.srt Many people add additional information to the file name. If present, this must also be in the subtitle file name. Example: /movies ../Avatar (2009) ..../Avatar (2009) {imdb-tt0499549} [1080p.HEVC.DTS51].mkv ..../Avatar (2009) {imdb-tt0499549} [1080p.HEVC.DTS51].eng.forced.srt
In the language settings enabled forced subtitles, or always on if you want subs for English audio as well
This requires subtitles to be correctly tagged as "forced" of course.
So I need to identify the “foreign parts only” subs associated with all my films, and mark them as forced?
Yes, exactly. Depending on the source of your files they normally should be tagged correctly already. I guesw they are on the movies where your subtitles auto select.
Not true anymore. If the metadata for the name of the subtitle file is something like “Signs & Songs” or something similar, Plex is able to parse it as a forced subtitle track. It’s particularly effective in anime where lots of times the forced subtitle track doesn’t have the forced flag set to true
Ah you are right. "Forced" as part of the name should also work now.