Guide
How to fix out-of-sync subtitles
First diagnose the pattern: a constant offset is easy to shift; growing drift usually means a speed or frame-rate mismatch.
Last updated: 1 November 2026
TL;DR: If every caption is late by the same amount, shift all cues. If the gap grows over the video, the file and video are running at different speeds — fix that, or re-caption the final cut.
Diagnose the pattern
| Pattern | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Same offset throughout | Captions start before/after the video | Shift all cues by one offset |
| Drift grows over time | Frame rate or speed mismatch | Match the frame rate, or re-caption the final cut |
| One section is off | Trim, insert or reorder | Re-time that section only |
| Random cues flash | Bad cue boundaries | Merge/split and close gaps |
Shift all cues
Use the free subtitle time shifter to add a positive or negative offset. Check the first and last cue after the shift. If the last cue is worse than the first, it is drift, not a constant offset.
Re-time in the editor
If the edit changed, re-generating captions from the final cut is often faster than repairing old cues. If the wording is already perfect, drag the cue edges and merge lines instead.
FAQ
Why do subtitles drift out of sync?
The most common causes are trimming the video after captioning, a frame-rate mismatch, or captions generated from a different cut. A constant offset usually means the start time is wrong; growing drift usually means a speed/frame-rate mismatch.
How do I shift all subtitles at once?
Use the subtitle time shifter to add a positive or negative offset to every cue, then check the first and last cue. If the drift grows over time, fix the speed/frame rate instead of shifting.
Can I re-time captions in the editor?
Yes. Drag cue edges on the timeline, merge or split lines, and close gaps. Re-generating from the final cut is sometimes faster if the edit changed a lot.