How to Turn MKV Subtitles On and Off

Yes, it is entirely possible to turn subtitles on and off within an MKV video. Because the MKV (Matroska) format is a container file, it can hold multiple video, audio, and subtitle tracks independently. This article explains how these subtitles work and provides quick, step-by-step instructions on how to toggle them on and off using popular media players and devices.

Understanding MKV Subtitles: Soft vs. Hardcoded

Whether you can turn subtitles off depends on how they were packaged into the MKV file:

• Soft Subtitles (Togglable): These are stored as separate text or image tracks inside the MKV container. You can freely turn them on, off, or switch between different languages.
• Hardcoded Subtitles (Permanent): These are merged directly into the video frames during editing or conversion. They cannot be turned off because they are part of the actual video image.

If your MKV file contains soft subtitles, you can easily control them using the methods below.

How to Toggle Subtitles in VLC Media Player

VLC is the most popular media player for handling MKV files. To turn subtitles on or off in VLC:

1. Open your MKV video in VLC Media Player.
2. Right-click anywhere on the playing video.
3. Hover your mouse over Subtitle, then move to Sub Track.
4. To turn them off, click Disable.
5. To turn them on, select your preferred language track from the list.

Shortcut: You can also press the V key on your keyboard to quickly cycle through available subtitle tracks or turn them off.

How to Toggle Subtitles in Windows Media Player / Movies & TV

If you are using the default Windows media applications:

1. Play the MKV file.
2. Click the CC/Subtitle icon located near the playback controls at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a small speech bubble or keyboard).
3. Select your preferred subtitle language to turn them on, or select Off to disable them.

How to Toggle Subtitles on Smart TVs and Media Streamers

If you are playing the MKV file on a Smart TV, Roku, Apple TV, or Android TV box via a USB drive or local network:

1. Press the Options, Menu, or Info button on your remote control during playback.
2. Navigate to the Subtitles or Audio/Video settings menu.
3. Select the subtitle track you want to display, or set it to Off / None.