Default Subtitles Not Automatically Selected

[emby.trace706 2]

I have found that the default subtitles are not automatically selected. I am noticing this between multiple TV series, specifically Anime series. I have ripped the media from the disc myself, and used MKVToolnix to set the default track. When looking at the episode before watching it, I can see that the wrong subtitle track is selected in the dropdown. In the dropdown, I can see listed the track that should be default, such as "English (Default PGSSUB)". I have just started using the server again after being away for a few weeks. I kept the server updated while I was gone, so I am unsure if this started after a specific update. I am hosting the Emby sever on TrueNAS Scale, downloaded from the catalogue. The App Version is v4.9.4.1, version v1.4.2. I am seeing on the dashboard that Emby Server 5.10.0.5 is available, and that I am on 4.9.4.1 beta. I am unable to change the version due to it being installed through the TrueNAS Catalogue.

[GrimReaper 4824]

Some more information/specific example would be required: what is your Subtitle Mode set to? What language you're expecting? What subtitle is actually preselected if not expected one?

Edited yesterday at 03:14 AM by GrimReaper

[emby.trace706 2]

27 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Some more information/specific example would be required: what is your Subtitle Mode set to? What language you're expecting? What subtitle is actually preselected if not expected one?

What do you mean by subtitle mode? Subtitles are on by default. Im expecting English, however there are multiple English subtitles available, such as the English subtitles for the Japanese audio of the episode, and English subtitles for the Englished dubbed version of the episode. There is also another set of subtitles for only the songs and signs throughout the episode. In the drop down list, the first option is the songs and signs, the second option, which is the default and what I am expecting, is the English for the Japanese audio, and the 3rd option is the English subtitles for the English audio. 

[GrimReaper 4824]

1 minute ago, emby.trace706 said:

What do you mean by subtitle mode?

[emby.trace706 2]

10 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

Subtitle mode is default: Subtitles are loaded based on the default and forced flags in the embedded metadata. Language preferences are considered when multiple options are available.

My interpretation of that is that it should be selecting the subtitles that have the default flag, which in my case it seems to be ignoring. 

[visproduction 327]

ET,

Interesting that there are 3 options, plus possible embedded default tags and default choice with separate subtitle files.  Just a quick glance without testing, what happens when the 3 options contradict each other?  Does the last option override the previous two options?  That would be sort of expected with code.  Whatever function starts lower in the code overrides the previous function.  I don't have access to test this at the moment, I just wanted to point out for one user, if there is a remembered subtitle from an earlier media play, that may override everything else. 

A way to test would be to try all possible combinations of embedded subtitles vs. separate files, user previous selection, change the preferred language and turn off always play.  Use media that has embedded subs with default tags and without, media that only has separate subtitles, with default in the filename and without and then media that has both.

WIth all that testing, then you can determine if something does not seem right.  It would almost be easier to set up a spreadsheet with expected results and list actual results.  I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it's the way to get to the bottom of any bugs.

[GrimReaper 4824]

2 hours ago, emby.trace706 said:

My interpretation of that is that it should be selecting the subtitles that have the default flag

It should, hence was asking for:

13 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

specific example would be required

as troubleshooting in general terms seldom results in a solution.

Not that pre-selection only applies to un-played files, you might want to "Clear saved track selection".

[emby.trace706 2]

2 hours ago, visproduction said:

ET,

Interesting that there are 3 options, plus possible embedded default tags and default choice with separate subtitle files.  Just a quick glance without testing, what happens when the 3 options contradict each other?  Does the last option override the previous two options?  That would be sort of expected with code.  Whatever function starts lower in the code overrides the previous function.  I don't have access to test this at the moment, I just wanted to point out for one user, if there is a remembered subtitle from an earlier media play, that may override everything else. 

A way to test would be to try all possible combinations of embedded subtitles vs. separate files, user previous selection, change the preferred language and turn off always play.  Use media that has embedded subs with default tags and without, media that only has separate subtitles, with default in the filename and without and then media that has both.

WIth all that testing, then you can determine if something does not seem right.  It would almost be easier to set up a spreadsheet with expected results and list actual results.  I know that sounds like a lot of work, but it's the way to get to the bottom of any bugs.

Not sure I can test many of the scenarios above, however I have had the subtitles change back to the non-default subtitles while watching several episodes in one setting using auto play. I will watch one episode, choosing the subtitles that I need, then let the next episode start automatically, and the subtitles fall back to the first one in the list, which is not the default.

[emby.trace706 2]

2 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

It should, hence was asking for:

as troubleshooting in general terms seldom results in a solution.

Not that pre-selection only applies to un-played files, you might want to "Clear saved track selection".

Where do I find the "Clear saved track selection"?

[GrimReaper 4824]

1 minute ago, emby.trace706 said:

Where do I find the "Clear saved track selection"?

Same screen, green text/shortcut:

14 hours ago, GrimReaper said:

 

[emby.trace706 2]

5 minutes ago, GrimReaper said:

Same screen, green text/shortcut:

 

Doing this may have fixed the issue. I will do some more testing before marking it as the solution. The weird part is that I am seeing the issue for series I have not watched yet, so there had not been a previous track selection.

[emby.trace706 2]

2 minutes ago, emby.trace706 said:

Doing this may have fixed the issue. I will do some more testing before marking it as the solution. The weird part is that I am seeing the issue for series I have not watched yet, so there had not been a previous track selection.

Was not the solution, going up to a different episode in the same series, the wrong track was selected like before.

[Luke 42149]

20 minutes ago, emby.trace706 said:

Was not the solution, going up to a different episode in the same series, the wrong track was selected like before.

HI there, can you please provide a specific example?

How to Report a Problem

Thanks !

 

[emby.trace706 2]

3 minutes ago, Luke said:

HI there, can you please provide a specific example?

How to Report a Problem

Thanks !

 

The series I am specifically using to test is Neon Genesis, the original 1995 series. I have ripped the files myself and used MKVToolnix to select the default tracks and name them. If there are logs that would be helpful I am happy to post those, but I am unsure how to get more specfic. I did try logging in as a different user, and it seems to be following the correct subtitles for the other users.

Because of that, I tried setting the subtitle mode to smart, clearing preferences, then changing back to default, and clearing the preferences again. That may have resolved the issue, but I need to do some more testing.

[emby.trace706 2]

6 hours ago, emby.trace706 said:

The series I am specifically using to test is Neon Genesis, the original 1995 series. I have ripped the files myself and used MKVToolnix to select the default tracks and name them. If there are logs that would be helpful I am happy to post those, but I am unsure how to get more specfic. I did try logging in as a different user, and it seems to be following the correct subtitles for the other users.

Because of that, I tried setting the subtitle mode to smart, clearing preferences, then changing back to default, and clearing the preferences again. That may have resolved the issue, but I need to do some more testing.

Was not the solution. It showed correctly, and going into and playing the initial episode, it worked. However when it auto-played the next episode it went to the 1st subtitle in the list instead of the default. 

[Luke 42149]

2 hours ago, emby.trace706 said:

Was not the solution. It showed correctly, and going into and playing the initial episode, it worked. However when it auto-played the next episode it went to the 1st subtitle in the list instead of the default. 

OK let's look at a specific example of that next episode:

How to Report a Problem

Thanks.

[emby.trace706 2]

13 hours ago, Luke said:

OK let's look at a specific example of that next episode:

How to Report a Problem

Thanks.

Attached is the log. The timestamp of the stream and letting it play the next episode happens around 2026-03-13 12:25:48.706 or 12:28. If there is anything more I can provide please let me know.

embyserver.txt

[GrimReaper 4824]

33 minutes ago, emby.trace706 said:

Attached is the log. The timestamp of the stream and letting it play the next episode happens around 2026-03-13 12:25:48.706 or 12:28. If there is anything more I can provide please let me know.

embyserver.txt 1.08 MB · 1 download

It appears system is selecting audio/subtitle tracks as configured, based on your previously played episode.

Quote

2026-03-13 12:28:00.690 Info MediaSourceManager: Last played episode of series is Neon Genesis Evangelion - S1, Ep19 - Introjection. The selected audio stream was 5 jpn
2026-03-13 12:28:00.690 Info MediaSourceManager: Audio stream selected based on last played episode: 5 jpn
2026-03-13 12:28:00.690 Info MediaSourceManager: Last played episode of series is Neon Genesis Evangelion - S1, Ep19 - Introjection. The selected subtitle stream was 10 eng
2026-03-13 12:28:00.690 Info MediaSourceManager: Subtitle stream selected based on last played episode: 10 eng

You might want to disable/toggle off "Remember saved track selections" here so it doesn't carry over:

On 3/12/2026 at 4:46 AM, GrimReaper said:

 

Edited 45 minutes ago by GrimReaper