Library thumbnail cache not refreshing after artwork update

Hi all,

I’m working on a workflow that updates video thumbnails in Channels after download, and I’m running into what looks like a thumbnail cache issue.

What I’m doing:

  • a download tool saves the video and a matching .info.json
  • a script updates the Channels file record with the correct YouTube thumbnail
  • the script also replaces the Channels preview image for that file

What I’m seeing:

  • the file record updates correctly
  • opening the video details shows the new thumbnail
  • but the library/grid thumbnail often stays on the old image
  • if a Channels client is already open while the item first appears, that client seems to latch onto the old thumbnail and never refresh to the new one
  • this happens on iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS

My question:
Is this expected behavior in Channels DVR Server / the clients, and is there a supported way to force the library thumbnail to refresh after the preview image has been replaced?

I’m trying to avoid a workaround that depends on deleting and re-adding the item if there’s a better supported path.

Thanks.