Why does my smart TV only show NAS media files alphabetically?
Applicable Products
QTS, QuTS hero
Scenario
My new smart TV displays NAS media files only in alphabetical order and ignores other sorting preferences, such as date modified, recently watched, etc. Other smart TVs continue to work as expected with the same NAS setup.
Root Cause
If the same files are sorted as expected on other TVs, your NAS setup is probably correct.
This issue is most likely caused by the limited DLNA/UPnP client capabilities in the smart TV's software. Some smart TVs may not support advanced sorting options via DLNA. They may use a stripped-down media browser that only sorts files alphabetically, ignoring other file metadata.
Solution
This is not a NAS issue — just limited client support on the TV side.
While DLNA has historically been a popular standard for streaming media from NAS devices to smart TVs and other clients, it is now increasingly considered a legacy technology. Modern smart TVs, especially newer models from Samsung and LG, often offer limited DLNA functionalities, which may lead to forced alphabetical sorting, no metadata support, or poor subtitle handling.
For a better and more flexible media experience, we recommend transitioning to modern media server applications such as Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin.
These apps offer:
- Better compatibility with smart TVs and mobile devices
- Rich metadata (thumbnails, descriptions, posters)
- Playback history and user profiles
- Transcoding for different device formats
- Remote access and enhanced security
Further Reading
How do I remotely access the Plex Media Server in QNAP NAS?
The Best NAS for Plex, Optimized for Transcoding
