Plex generated icons do not match what is in Windows file explorer

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version: 1.42.1.10060

Player Version: 10.30.4.4092

Thumbnails Upside Down in Plex (Playback Correct)

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro (OneDrive library location)

  • Device: Nvidia Shield TV (Android TV OS

:memo: Issue Summary

Videos that play upright in Plex (and in all other players like Windows Media Player, VLC, Kodi, File Explorer) are showing upside-down thumbnails/poster icons inside Plex.

  • Playback in Plex: Correct orientation

  • Playback in File Explorer/VLC/Kodi: Correct orientation

  • Thumbnails/Posters in Plex: Incorrect (upside down)

:counterclockwise_arrows_button: Steps to Reproduce

  1. Add a mobile-recorded video (MP4/MOV) to a Plex library.

  2. Allow Plex to scan the library and generate thumbnails.

  3. Observe that the video plays upright but Plex-generated preview images are upside down.

:white_check_mark: What I Have Tried

  • Cleared Plex thumbnail cache (PhotoTranscoder folder).

  • Performed a full metadata refresh on the library.

  • Used Refresh Metadata on individual items.

  • Verified with FFmpeg:

    • No rotate tag set

    • Some files contain a displaymatrix rotation (e.g., -90°)

  • Other media players (VLC, Kodi, Windows Media Player) all interpret the videos correctly.

:bullseye: Expected Behavior

Plex should respect orientation metadata consistently, so thumbnails match how the video actually plays.

:cross_mark: Actual Behavior

  • Plex generates upside-down thumbnails.

  • But playback in Plex itself is correct.

  • File Explorer thumbnails are also correct, confirming the video itself is fine.

:open_file_folder: Sample File

I’ve attached a 5-second sample clip (losslessly trimmed with FFmpeg) that reproduces the problem, but Plex won’t let me upload it. :man_shrugging:

:folded_hands: Request

Please investigate Plex’s thumbnail/preview generator to ensure rotation tags and display matrices are handled the same way as in playback. This is confusing for users and inconsistent across platforms.

2

Can you add/share a screenshot how this appears in the Android app, highlighting the deviation from what it’s supposed to be?

3

Having the same issue, here is a screenshot

Screenshot from 2025-09-15 07-00-00
Screenshot from 2025-09-15 07-00-00780×390 129 KB

4

@UnclKracker @andender Thanks for reporting! I’ve filed an internal issue to track this problem. I’m also able to reproduce this.