Last verified: November 2026
How to Change the Transcript Language on YouTube
YouTube's transcript is the text of the video's captions, so it is in whatever language those captions are in. You can switch to another caption track if one exists. If there is only one, here is what you can do.
Show transcript opens in the wrong language, or the text is gibberish.
Described, not a screenshot. Usually the video has a single automatic caption track made in the wrong language.
Why the transcript is in the wrong language
YouTube shows a transcript for any video that has captions, and it uses those captions. So the language problem is a caption problem.
The default language is set wrong
Automatic captions are made in the video's default language only. If the creator set the wrong language, the automatic captions, and the transcript, come out wrong.
The video has several audio tracks
When a video has more than one audio track, automatic captions use the default language.
Several languages are spoken
YouTube says automatic captions may not work when several languages are spoken at once.
Only one track exists
If the creator uploaded captions in one language only, that is the only transcript YouTube can show.
How to change it
Pick another caption track
On a computer, click Settings at the bottom right of the player, then Subtitles/CC, and choose a language. If the list offers Auto-translate, choose it and then your language. Then open Show transcript in the description.
If there is only one track
You can't change the video's language as a viewer. Only the creator can fix the default language or add captions in another language.
Translate the transcript yourself
Paste the link into YouTLDR to get the transcript and translate it into 125+ languages, then read it or download it as Text, Doc, SRT or VTT.
What YouTLDR can and cannot do here
YouTLDR starts from the video's captions when they exist, then lets you translate the transcript and summary into 125+ languages. That solves the common case: captions exist, just not in your language.
It does not repair captions that YouTube made in the wrong language. If the only track is gibberish, YouTLDR's transcript will be built from that same track. When a video has no captions at all, YouTLDR transcribes the audio and detects the spoken language.
Pro costs $12/month and is required to process a new video (up to 10 transcripts and 10 summaries a day). There is no free plan; public transcript pages are free to read.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the transcript language in YouTube?
The transcript follows the captions. On a computer, click Settings, then Subtitles/CC, and pick another language, or Auto-translate if it is offered. Then open Show transcript in the description. If the video has only one caption track, you cannot switch it.
Why is the YouTube transcript in the wrong language?
Automatic captions are made in the video's default language. If the creator set the wrong language, or the video mixes languages, the automatic captions and the transcript come out in the wrong language or as gibberish.
Can I get a YouTube transcript translated into English?
Yes. YouTLDR translates transcripts into 125+ languages, including English. It requires YouTLDR Pro.
Where is the transcript on YouTube?
On a computer, open the video description and click Show transcript. Click any line to jump to that part of the video.
Related fixes
How to Change the Transcript Language on YouTube
YouTube's transcript is the text of the video's captions, so it is in whatever language those captions are in. You can switch to another caption track if one exists. If there is only one, here is what you can do.
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