tvOS26 unicode subtitles become block and video playback stutters

Plex Players Streaming Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.42.2.10122
Player Version#: 8.45 (9684)
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

After upgraded to tvOS 26, I noticed plex client on AppleTV has issue displaying Asian unicode subtitles. The text become square blocks when the traditional Chinese subtitle was enabled. Then, overall playback stuttered. When I enabled English subtitle, video playback is fine without any issue. I toggled AppleTV subtitle setting under the accessibility section like the previous year’s issue, but issue was not resolved.

I have a current Apple 4K and previous Apple 4K gen 2. Both units exhibited the same issue.

Has anyone ran into the same issue? Do you have any fixes or workaround? Thank you for helping.

2

I have an same issue.

3

I am using first gen Apple TV 4K.

4

with further testing. only srt subtitle will be affected.

5

Same issue here. In my case, most .ass subtitles failed, too. Frankly, some .ass subtitles work, but I couldn’t identify the difference. All the subtitles work before upgrading to tvOS 26.

6

After the upgrade to 26.1, the problem still persists. Any guesses?