====== Cleaning Kodi Thumbnail Cache Directory ======

Kodi stores cached artwork (posters, fanart, icons, previews) locally. Clearing the thumbnail cache can free disk space and fix corrupted or outdated artwork. Kodi will rebuild the cache automatically during browsing.

===== What Gets Cleared =====

Kodi thumbnail cache consists of:

  * ''userdata/Thumbnails/'' - cached image files
  * ''userdata/Database/Textures*.db'' - artwork index database

For a full reset, delete both.

===== Method 1 - Manual Cleanup (Recommended) =====

  - Close Kodi - Kodi must be fully closed before deleting cache files.
  - Locate userdata Folder <code>
~/.kodi/userdata/
</code>
  - Delete Files <code>
Thumbnails/
Database/Textures*.db
</code> Do not delete other database files.
  - Restart Kodi

Kodi will rebuild:

  * artwork database
  * thumbnail cache
  * artwork on demand

Expect slower browsing until rebuilt.

===== Method 2 — Database Reset Only =====

If artwork mappings are broken but disk usage is acceptable:

Delete only:

<code>
Database/Textures*.db
</code>

Keep:

<code>
Thumbnails/
</code>

Kodi will rebuild the index only.


===== Typical Space Usage =====

^ Library Size ^ Cache Size ^
| Small | 200–500 MB |
| Medium | 1–3 GB |
| Large | 5–20+ GB |


===== Side Effects =====

After clearing:

  * artwork reloads gradually
  * browsing is slower initially
  * network artwork sources are queried again
  * custom artwork may need refresh


====== Forcing Kodi to Prefer Embedded Music Artwork and Metadata ======

Goal: Make Kodi prefer embedded tags and artwork instead of online scraping or folder images.


===== Method 1 - Use Local Information Only Scrapers =====

<code>
Settings -> Media -> Music -> Library
</code>

Set:

<code>
Default provider for artist information -> Local information only
Default provider for album information -> Local information only
</code>

This disables online metadata scraping.


===== Method 2 - Enable Embedded Tag Reading =====

<code>
Settings -> Media -> Music
</code>

Enable:

<code>
Read embedded tags
Extract thumbnails and video information
</code>

(Names vary slightly by version.)

===== Method 3 - advancedsettings.xml Overrides =====

Edit:

<code>
userdata/advancedsettings.xml
</code>

Add:

<code>
<advancedsettings>
  <musiclibrary>
    <preferonlineinfo>false</preferonlineinfo>
  </musiclibrary>

  <music>
    <prioritiseembeddedart>true</prioritiseembeddedart>
  </music>
</advancedsettings>
</code>

This forces embedded artwork preference.

===== Method 4 - Clean and Rescan Library =====

After changing settings:

Clean library:

<code>
Music -> Library -> Clean library
</code>

Optional full artwork reset:

Delete:

<code>
userdata/Thumbnails/
userdata/Database/Textures*.db
</code>

Restart Kodi and rescan.


===== Method 5 - Proper Tag Requirements =====

Kodi prefers embedded data only if tags are complete.

Recommended fields:

  * Album
  * Album Artist
  * Artist
  * Title
  * Year
  * Genre
  * Track Number
  * Embedded front cover art

Recommended artwork specs:

<code>
JPEG or PNG
500–1200 px square
< 1 MB preferred
</code>

Very large images may be skipped or downscaled.


===== Method 6 - Set Source Scraper to Local Only =====

When adding a music source:

<code>
Set content -> Music -> Information provider -> Local information only
</code>

Apply per source.

===== Common Causes of Embedded Art Being Ignored =====

  * Old thumbnail cache still present
  * Library scanned before setting change
  * Multiple embedded images without “front cover” flag
  * MusicBrainz IDs triggering scraper overrides
  * Skin-level artwork overrides