Windows 10: Windows media player, subtitles don't work

I refer to https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/windows-media-player-subtitles-dont-work/ba06f746-bb99-4f91-9835-d69471a0c57aWhere there are multiple screenshots and examples of how this doesn't work.Not having working subtitles in windows media player is just ridiculous, and despite putting feedback in the hub as per the suggestion, it hasn't been fixed.Please can I have an update as to when this will be resolved.

:)

 

windows media player crashes (hangs) when loading subtitles

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

I understand that you are facing an issue with Windows media player crashes (hangs) when loading subtitles. To narrow down the scope of your problem, you can start by trying the following steps.

1. Check Codec Settings:
   
   • Make sure that the codecs you have installed are correctly configured and up to date. Sometimes codec packs conflict with each other or are not optimized for certain video formats.
     
2. Use an Alternative Media Player:
   
   • Consider using an alternative media player. Some third-party players are well-known for their robust handling of various video formats and subtitle files. They also have extensive support for different codecs and can often handle large 4K video files more efficiently.
     
3. Convert Subtitles:
   
   • If the issue persists, try converting the subtitle file to a different format (e.g., from .srt to. ass or vice versa). Some subtitle formats might be more compatible with your current setup.
     
4. Check for Conflicting Software:
   
   • Sometimes, other software running in the background can cause conflicts. Perform a clean boot to see if a background program is causing the issue.
     
     • Press Win + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
       
     • Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and then click Disable all.
       
     • Switch to the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager, and disable all startup items.
       
     • Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.
       
     • Disclaimer: A “clean boot” starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. It helps to determine whether a background service is interfering with your game or program and to isolate the cause of a problem.
       
       These steps of "clean boot" might look complicated at first glance. However, to avoid any trouble for you, please follow them in order and step-by step so that it will help you get back on track.
       
5. Update Graphics Drivers:
   
   • Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date. Outdated graphics drivers can cause issues with video playback and subtitle rendering.
     
     • Go to the website of your graphics card manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) and download the latest drivers for your GPU.
       
6. Adjust Performance Settings:
   
   • Go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings and ensure that Windows Media Player is set to high performance. This can help improve the playback of high-resolution videos.
     
7. Check File Integrity:
   
   • Ensure the MKV file and subtitle file are not corrupted. Try playing different 4K MKV files with subtitles to see if the issue is specific to the file you are using.
     
8. Reinstall Windows Media Player:
   
   • Uninstall and then reinstall Windows Media Player from the Microsoft Store. This can sometimes resolve issues caused by corrupted application files.
     

If none of these solutions work, you might want to report the issue to Microsoft, Microsoft attaches great importance to user experience, you can submit your ideas and suggestions through the Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app - Microsoft Support, and the development team will regularly review submissions for ideas or fixes.

Please share the feedback link here after submitting as it will allow others on the forum to vote for your submission, including me. More votes will lead to more visibility and higher priority to the development team.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Windows Media Player: Subtitles Don't Work

I have an mp4 with a subtitle stream built in (not burned in), which plays perfectly in every media player except windows media player.

One simply goes to the subtitles menu, wherever that is, and selects the subtitle track to include.

Windows media player "old" with the blue interface, and the orange on blue logo doesn't show them, even if "on if available" is selected.

Windows media player "new" with the grey and orange interface, and the white on grey logo doesn't show them, clicking on the icon at the bottom shows Subtitles: off / choose subtitle file.

I then created an srt file with the same name as the mp4, which is alongside it.

Old player won't work

New player does now allow you to select the subtitle, but it's white with no stroke on the text, so they are not visible when the background is white....

Plus, it would be really inconvenient to have to send a video with all it's subtitles separately....

I need to send a video to people who could be using "any" player, and it's crazy that it seems windows default video player doesn't support subtitles...

I have searched for hours, and I really hope I was just bad at searching and there's an easy answer, because it's just awful if there's not...

Help please!

 

Unable to disable subtitles in Windows Media Player

Hi folks,

I rented Shutter Island last night and was unable to disable the subtitles in Windows Media Player. Is this something to do with regional playback protection? Does anybody have a workaround to fix this issue?

Thanks in advance.