diff --git a/docs/qa.md b/docs/qa.md
index 2b785423..79447636 100644
--- a/docs/qa.md
+++ b/docs/qa.md
@@ -17,5 +17,8 @@ Run this checklist before publishing releases or merging changes that touch uplo
 5. **Cross-Browser Verification**
    - Spot-check Chromium and Firefox (desktop) for console warnings about CORS, Range requests, or tracker connectivity.
    - Optionally validate on mobile Safari/Chrome if the change targets mobile UX.
+6. **Saved Profile Metadata Refresh**
+   - In the browser devtools console/storage panel, delete `bitvid:profileCache:v1` but keep `bitvid:savedProfiles:v1` populated with Nostr pubkeys that lack stored names/avatars.
+   - Reload the page and open the profile switcher; confirm avatars and display names populate automatically without manual refresh.
 
 Document findings (pass/fail notes plus relevant screenshots or logs) so they can be attached to release or PR notes.
diff --git a/js/app.js b/js/app.js
index 5bce857c..f55d8776 100644
--- a/js/app.js
+++ b/js/app.js
@@ -1082,18 +1082,19 @@ class bitvidApp {
   }
 
   getProfileCacheEntry(pubkey) {
-    if (!pubkey) {
+    const normalized = this.normalizeHexPubkey(pubkey);
+    if (!normalized) {
       return null;
     }
 
-    const entry = this.profileCache.get(pubkey);
+    const entry = this.profileCache.get(normalized);
     if (!entry) {
       return null;
     }
 
     const timestamp = typeof entry.timestamp === "number" ? entry.timestamp : 0;
     if (!timestamp || Date.now() - timestamp > PROFILE_CACHE_TTL_MS) {
-      this.profileCache.delete(pubkey);
+      this.profileCache.delete(normalized);
       this.persistProfileCacheToStorage();
       return null;
     }
@@ -1102,7 +1103,8 @@ class bitvidApp {
   }
 
   setProfileCacheEntry(pubkey, profile) {
-    if (!pubkey || !profile) {
+    const normalizedPubkey = this.normalizeHexPubkey(pubkey);
+    if (!normalizedPubkey || !profile) {
       return;
     }
 
@@ -1116,9 +1118,9 @@ class bitvidApp {
       timestamp: Date.now(),
     };
 
-    this.profileCache.set(pubkey, entry);
+    this.profileCache.set(normalizedPubkey, entry);
     this.persistProfileCacheToStorage();
-    const didUpdateSavedProfile = this.syncSavedProfileFromCache(pubkey, {
+    const didUpdateSavedProfile = this.syncSavedProfileFromCache(normalizedPubkey, {
       persist: true,
     });
     if (!didUpdateSavedProfile) {
@@ -3556,6 +3558,7 @@ class bitvidApp {
     const normalizedActive = this.normalizeHexPubkey(
       this.activeProfilePubkey
     );
+    const entriesNeedingFetch = new Set();
 
     const resolveMeta = (entry) => {
       if (!entry || typeof entry !== "object") {
@@ -3566,9 +3569,26 @@ class bitvidApp {
         };
       }
 
-      const cacheEntry = this.profileCache.get(entry.pubkey);
+      const normalizedPubkey = this.normalizeHexPubkey(entry.pubkey);
+      let cacheEntry = null;
+      if (normalizedPubkey) {
+        cacheEntry = this.getProfileCacheEntry(normalizedPubkey);
+      }
       const cachedProfile = cacheEntry?.profile || {};
 
+      const hasStoredName =
+        typeof entry.name === "string" && entry.name.trim().length > 0;
+      const hasStoredPicture =
+        typeof entry.picture === "string" && entry.picture.trim().length > 0;
+
+      if (
+        !cacheEntry &&
+        normalizedPubkey &&
+        (!hasStoredName || !hasStoredPicture)
+      ) {
+        entriesNeedingFetch.add(normalizedPubkey);
+      }
+
       let resolvedNpub =
         typeof entry.npub === "string" && entry.npub.trim()
           ? entry.npub.trim()
@@ -3794,6 +3814,10 @@ class bitvidApp {
     } else {
       this.updateProfileModalFocusables();
     }
+
+    if (entriesNeedingFetch.size) {
+      this.batchFetchProfiles(entriesNeedingFetch);
+    }
   }
 
   /**