Subtitle Encoding Fixer: Fix Garbled Subtitles and Save as UTF-8
Fix garbled subtitle text and save a clean UTF-8 copy in your browser.
Preview (decoded)
first linesNeed to extract subtitles from a video first? Try GeekLink OCR to turn burned-in subtitles into an editable subtitle workflow.
Try GeekLink OCRGarbled text usually means the file was saved in GB18030, Big5, Shift_JIS, EUC-KR, or another encoding but opened as UTF-8. The fixer reads the original bytes, previews the decoded text, and keeps the subtitle timing while saving a new UTF-8 file.
How to fix a garbled subtitle
- Drop in an SRT, VTT, ASS, SSA, or SUB file.
- Check the decoded preview and choose an encoding manually if needed.
- Download the readable UTF-8 copy, with an optional BOM for older players.
FAQ
Why does my Chinese subtitle look like 锟斤拷 or a row of boxes?
The file is likely stored in GB18030 or Big5 but is being read as UTF-8. Choose the encoding that produces a readable preview, then download the UTF-8 copy.
Can it fix text like "ä½ å¥½" (mojibake)?
Yes. The tool recognizes common double-encoded UTF-8 text and can restore the original characters when the source bytes are still recoverable.
Do I have to know the original encoding?
No. Detection is automatic, and the encoding dropdown lets you compare likely options before downloading.
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