Why Are My YouTube Videos in a Different Language? (Fixes)

It's a jolt when you open YouTube and find a video speaking a language you didn't choose, or a title that has been translated into something you can't read. Usually nothing is broken. YouTube is doing something on purpose, and once you know what, it takes a minute to put right.

This question comes from two kinds of people: viewers who are hearing the wrong language, and creators who see their own videos labelled or dubbed in another one. I'll cover both, using YouTube's own help pages.

Why YouTube videos play in a different language

According to YouTube's help page, some videos carry extra audio tracks (dubs), plus titles and descriptions in other languages. YouTube shows these when they match the languages in your preferred language list. So if a video appears in a language you didn't expect, the most likely cause is that your preferred languages include it, or that YouTube chose a track that matched.

Two things from the help page are worth keeping in mind. First, if a video's original audio is in one of your preferred languages, YouTube doesn't translate it. It plays the original. Second, preferred language settings are separate from your app language and location settings, and they don't affect your search results or recommendations.

Changing your preferred languages on the YouTube phone app

YouTube gives these steps for the Android app:

1. Tap your profile picture, then tap Settings.
2. Tap Languages, then tap Preferred languages.
3. Select the languages you want and tap Confirm.

Remove any language you don't want to hear, and keep only the ones you do. The wording on an iPhone may differ slightly, so look for the same Languages entry in Settings. The help page says preferred languages can be set on the web too, but menus vary by version, so look for the language options in Settings.

Switching the audio language on one YouTube video

You don't have to change your settings to fix a single video. YouTube's steps are:

1. Open the video.
2. Select Settings in the video player.
3. Select Audio track.
4. Choose the language you want.

If you can't see an Audio track option, that video may only have one audio track. The option appears when there's more than one to choose from.

Why a YouTube title or description looks translated

Titles and descriptions can be translated too. YouTube's help page says that if a video has a translated title or description, you can search using those translations. The text shown depends on your language settings, and the display language setting applies to the whole site, while the audio, titles and descriptions of a particular video may be served in a different language.

That explains the confusing situation where the menus are in English but one video's title is in Spanish. They're controlled by different settings. If it's a subtitle problem rather than an audio one, my guide to turning off subtitles on YouTube is the one to follow.

What automatic dubbing means for YouTube creators

If you upload videos and your own content is appearing in another language, automatic dubbing may be the reason. YouTube describes it as creating translated audio tracks so videos can reach viewers in other languages. Dubbed videos are labelled "auto-dubbed" in the description.

This is useful if you're growing an audience abroad, and unwelcome if you'd rather control every word. YouTube's help page notes that quality varies by language and errors can happen. It also says dubs can't be edited.

Turning off or reviewing YouTube automatic dubbing

YouTube says creators can switch it off in the YouTube Studio app under Settings, then Content, then Automatic dubbing. You can also choose Publish manually, which lets you review dubs before they go live. A separate page describes the channel setting under Settings, Channel, Advanced settings.

The help page adds that managing dubs, such as previewing, publishing or deleting them, needs a computer. So if you want to look at what's been created, open YouTube Studio on a laptop rather than your phone.

Fixing a wrong original language on your YouTube video

There's a second creator cause, and it's an easy one to miss. YouTube says that if dubs come out mistranslated, you fix the original video language so they regenerate. If your video is set to the wrong language, everything built from it, including dubs and translated subtitles, can go wrong.

YouTube's steps to check it:

1. Sign in to YouTube Studio.
2. Open Content from the left menu.
3. Click the video's title or thumbnail.
4. Scroll down and click Show more.
5. Under Language and captions certification, set the language for the video, its title and its description.
6. Click Save at the top of the page.

YouTube notes that changing the original language means future translated subtitles use the new language as their source. Subtitles you've already published or saved as drafts aren't affected. If you'd like to add captions yourself, my guide to adding subtitles to a YouTube video shows the Studio route.

Videos that YouTube may not dub

The help page lists conditions that can make a video ineligible: it's over 120 minutes long, it's mostly music, it's in an unsupported language, the speech is very fast, or it has copyright claims. So if one of your videos has no dub while another does, that could be why.

A quick checklist when your YouTube videos play in the wrong language

1. Check your preferred languages in YouTube Settings and remove any you don't want.
2. On the video, open Settings in the player and choose the right Audio track.
3. Remember original audio in a preferred language still plays in its original form.
4. Creators: check the video's language in Studio under Show more.
5. Creators: review the Automatic dubbing setting and consider Publish manually.

If you've gone through all of that and it still behaves oddly, use the help and feedback option in the app or in YouTube Studio to contact YouTube.

I keep every related walkthrough in the YouTube Help: 30 Guides to Channels, Subscribers, Monetisation, Thumbnails and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Why does a YouTube video play in a language I don't speak?

YouTube's help page says some videos have dubbed audio tracks, and YouTube shows them when they match your preferred languages. Check that list in Settings and switch the Audio track in the player.

How do I change the audio language on a YouTube video?

Open the video, select Settings in the player, select Audio track and choose your language.

Do preferred languages change my YouTube recommendations?

No. YouTube says preferred language settings are separate from app language and location settings and don't affect search results or recommendations.

Why are my own YouTube videos dubbed into other languages?

Automatic dubbing creates translated audio tracks, and dubbed videos are labelled auto-dubbed in the description. Creators can turn it off or choose Publish manually in Studio settings.

Can I edit an automatic dub?

YouTube says dubs can't be edited. If they're mistranslated, fix the video's original language so they regenerate.