Kodi Stuck in the Wrong Language? Here’s How to Fix It (2026)

Updated on February 08, 2026

Getting Kodi’s interface into a language you actually understand is the critical first step to a smooth media center experience. Whether you just installed Kodi and it defaulted to the wrong setting or you’re setting it up for a family member, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re wondering how to change the language in Kodi in 2026, this is the definitive guide. We’ll walk you through the updated process for the latest version, Kodi 22 “Piers”, and squash the most common bugs you might encounter along the way.

Step-by-Step Guide to Change the Language in Kodi 22 “Piers”

One of the best things about Kodi is its consistent interface across all platforms—Windows, Android TV, Fire TV Stick, Linux, you name it. These steps will work no matter what device you’re on. The 2026 release, Kodi 22, has slightly tweaked the menus, but the process is still incredibly intuitive.

1. From the Kodi home screen, click the gear icon (Settings) located in the top-left corner.
2. Select the “Interface” option from the settings menu.
3. In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Regional”.
4. The very first option you’ll see is “Language”. Click on it.
5. A long list of available languages will pop up. Scroll through to find and select your desired language (e.g., “English”). Kodi will then automatically download and install the language pack.
6. Pro Tip: Once the language is set, I highly recommend configuring your keyboard layout. Right below “Language,” click on “Keyboard layouts”. Deselect the default layout if it’s not the one you use (e.g., “English QWERTY”) and then find and select your preferred layout to make searching for content much easier.
7. Finally, to ensure dates and times are displayed in the correct format for your region, go to “Regional formats” and choose your country, for example, “USA”.

That’s it! When you go back, the entire Kodi interface should be in your selected language. If some text still appears in the old language, simply exit and restart Kodi to apply the changes completely.

Troubleshooting Common Language-Change Issues

Sometimes, things can go sideways when swapping languages. Here are the fixes for the most frequent problems I’ve run into during my testing.

Problem 1: You’re Seeing Weird Squares, Characters, or Symbols (□, ¿, !)

This is the classic Kodi glitch. It happens because the default font in the skin (the visual theme) you’re using doesn’t support the special characters of your chosen language (like ñ, é, ü, etc.). The solution is to switch to a font that does.

Here are the Kodi interface settings you need to tweak:

1. Go to Settings (the gear icon) → Interface.
2. In the left sidebar, select “Skin”.
3. On the right, click on “Fonts”.
4. Change the setting from “Skin default” to “Arial based”. This universal font is compatible with nearly every language, which should immediately fix the garbled text issue.

Alternatively, you can install a language-compatible skin that already includes the necessary fonts. You can find some of the most popular options in the official Kodi repository.

Problem 2: Subtitles Display Incorrect Symbols

If the main interface looks fine but the subtitles in your videos are showing gibberish instead of accented characters, the problem isn’t the interface language—it’s the player’s character set setting.

1. Navigate to Settings → Player.
2. In the left sidebar, select “Language”.
3. Find the option called “Character set” under the Subtitles section.
4. Change it from “Current” or “Default” to “Central European (Windows)”. For most Latin-based languages, this is the correct encoding. If you still have issues, try “UTF-8”.

Problem 3: The Language Pack Fails to Download or Shows an Error

If Kodi throws a “failed to download” error when you select a language, the culprit is almost always your internet connection. First, ensure your device is online. If the error persists, it could be a temporary issue with Kodi’s servers or a block on your network. If you suspect a connection problem, the troubleshooting principles are similar to those in our guide on how to fix the ‘Check the log for more information’ error.

Security Pro-Tip: Why You Should Use a VPN with Kodi

In 2026, digital privacy is non-negotiable. While Kodi itself is 100% legal, open-source software, using certain third-party add-ons can expose you to risks. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) can monitor your online activity and may even throttle your speed or block access to content sources.

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet connection, making your activity invisible to your ISP and protecting you from potential threats. It also allows you to change your virtual location to access geo-restricted content. For a secure, private, and unrestricted streaming experience, using a VPN with Kodi is highly recommended.

Beyond Language: First Steps in Kodi 2026

Now that your Kodi is in the right language, the next step is to unlock its full potential by installing add-ons. These small programs give you access to a universe of content, from streaming platforms and live TV channels to your own personal media libraries.

Before you install community-built add-ons, there’s a crucial security setting you must enable first: allowing installation from “Unknown Sources.” You can find this in Settings → System → Add-ons. Once that’s enabled, you’re ready to explore. For a complete walkthrough from setup to optimization, check out our Ultimate Kodi Guide for 2026.

Conclusion

Changing the language in Kodi is a quick and simple process that dramatically improves the software’s usability. By following this guide for Kodi 22, you’ll not only be able to set your preferred interface language but also know exactly how to fix the most common display issues with characters and subtitles. With your system correctly configured and the right security precautions in place, like using a VPN, you’re ready to build the ultimate media center for 2026.