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Why Are Hindi YouTube Videos Playing in English on Smartphones? What’s the Quickest Fix?
YouTube’s automatic dubbing feature is causing Hindi videos to play in English or other languages on many smartphones. This occurs because YouTube now detects your device’s default language and, if it differs from the video’s original language, plays an auto-generated dubbed version instead of the original audio.
What’s Behind the Issue?
YouTube’s auto-dubbing is enabled by default for many channels, especially those focused on knowledge and information. If your phone’s language is set to English (or another language), YouTube may automatically play a dubbed version of Hindi videos in that language. There is currently no global setting for viewers to permanently turn off auto-dubbing; you must adjust it for each video.
How to Switch Back to Original Hindi Audio
Follow these steps to change the audio track to Hindi on the YouTube app:
- Start playing the YouTube video that’s playing in the dubbed language.
- Tap the gear (settings) icon on the video player to access Settings.
- Choose the “Audio Track” option from the menu.
- Select “Hindi (Original)” or the original language listed.
The video will now play in its original Hindi audio.
Key Points for Viewers
- There’s no universal switch to disable auto-dubbing for all videos; you must repeat these steps for each affected video.
- The dubbed audio may lack the original tone and emotion, and can sometimes be inaccurate or robotic.
- Many users find this feature disruptive, especially when seeking an immersive or language-learning experience.
For YouTube Creators
Creators can disable auto-dubbing for their entire channel:
- Go to YouTube Studio on a desktop.
- Click Settings > Upload Defaults > Advanced Settings.
- Scroll to Automatic Dubbing and uncheck “Allow automatic dubbing.”
- Save changes.
Why This Matters
Auto-dubbing aims to make content accessible globally, but it often frustrates users who prefer the original audio experience. Until YouTube introduces a global off-switch for viewers, manual adjustment per video is the only solution.
This approach ensures you can enjoy Hindi YouTube videos in their authentic form, preserving the original voice and intent.