Why are my backdrops not showing up in Media Browser?

If your backdrops aren’t showing inside Media Browser there are a few things you can do to try and get them to appear properly.

First, you need to make sure that the view you are using support backdrops.

• Backdrops from the ImagesByName folder are supported in the Enhanced Home Screen for some themes as of Media Browser 2.2.2 (codename Thunderblade)
• Backdrops placed in C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser\StartupFolder are supported when not using the Enhanced Home Screen.
• If you are using the Default theme, then only the Thumb and Thumbstrip views show backdrops, this is by design.
• In certain themes, backdrops can be enabled on all views, this is done via the view menu.
• There is an option in the Media Browser Configuration Wizard called “Show Transparent Background”, turn this off as it can interfere with the display of backdrops.
• Please note that Tiered Backdrops can interfere with media backdrops. More details about Tiered Backgrounds can be found here.

If you are using a view which supports backdrops and they still do not show then what you do next depends on how your metadata is stored, if you have the backdrop images stored in the movie folders then skip to step 2. If you let Media Browser gather your data automatically then read on from step 1.

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1 – Media Browser fetching (Internet Providers enabled)

Firstly, try refreshing either one of your movies/TV shows or an entire virtual folder. To refresh a movie/TV show simply scroll to it in MediaBrowser and if you are using a remote control, press the Record button. If you are using a keyboard, press Ctrl + R.

To refresh a virtual folder do the same with the folder highlighted on the homescreen. If the refresh is successful then you should see a message at the bottom of the screen saying the item was refreshed.

If your backdrops still do not show, then move onto step 3.

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2 – Local Metadata (Backdrops stored in movie folders)

If you are storing backdrops in the folders with the movies then check that they are named backdrop and not background. The images must be either .jpg, or .png

Please note: a .jpeg file extension does not work. Media Browser will not show your fanart. Rename these files to .jpg.

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3 – Clearing the cache

If your backdrops still aren’t showing up then you should try clearing the cache, to do this, navigate to C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser. (This is a hidden folder) Inside this folder is a subfolder called Cache. Do not delete the entire folder as that will cause you to lose your display settings and watched status.

Delete everything inside this “Cache” folder except for “Playstate” and “Display”. You should also delete the “ImageCache” folder inside C:\ProgramData\MediaBrowser

Then reopen Media Browser and let it sit on the homescreen for about 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your collection. This should give it time to cache all of your content.

If your backdrops still do not show, then you should create a new question on this tracker.

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