You set a custom default model for a Perplexity Space, but every time you return, it has switched back to Sonar. This behavior wastes time and breaks your workflow. The root cause is a cached setting that does not properly persist when you change the model from within a Space. This article explains why the model reverts and provides a reliable fix to lock your preferred model.
Key Takeaways: Stop Perplexity Spaces From Switching to Sonar
- Space Settings > Default Model: Changing the model inside a Space does not save; you must set it in the Space settings panel.
- Browser cache and cookies: Clear cache and cookies for perplexity.ai to force a fresh read of your saved Space settings.
- Space creation flow: During Space creation, select your model on the same screen where you name the Space to avoid reversion.
Why Perplexity Spaces Revert to the Sonar Model
Perplexity Spaces store configuration data including instructions, sources, and the default search model. When you change the model using the dropdown inside a Space after it has been created, the change is applied only to the current session. The server does not update the Space’s saved configuration until you explicitly save the Space settings.
The Sonar model is the default fallback for all Spaces. If the saved configuration does not include a model override, the Space loads Sonar on every visit. This happens because the in-Space model switcher is designed for temporary queries, not persistent settings. The fix is to change the model through the Space settings panel, which writes the change to the database.
How the Space Settings Flow Works
Every Perplexity Space has a settings page accessible from the Space library. This page contains fields for instructions, sources, and a Default Model dropdown. Changes made here are saved to the server and persist across sessions. The in-Space dropdown, located in the query bar, only affects the next search and is not saved.
Steps to Fix the Reverting Default Model
Follow these steps to permanently set your preferred model for a Space.
- Open your Space library
Go to perplexity.ai and click Library in the left sidebar. Your Spaces are listed here. - Select the Space that keeps reverting
Click the Space name to open its details page. Do not click the Space to start a new query. - Click the Settings icon
On the Space details page, look for the gear icon or the Settings button. It is usually next to the Space name. - Change the Default Model
In the Settings panel, find the Default Model dropdown. Select your desired model, such as GPT-4 Turbo or Claude 3 Opus. - Save the settings
Click the Save button at the bottom of the panel. The page will reload, and the new model is now saved. - Clear browser cache and cookies for Perplexity
In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data. Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Set the time range to All time. Click Clear data. This forces your browser to fetch the updated Space configuration. - Restart your browser and test
Close and reopen your browser. Navigate to the Space and start a query. The model should now remain as you set it.
If the Space Model Still Reverts to Sonar
Model Reverts After Every Browser Session
If the model reverts after you close and reopen your browser, the issue is likely a corrupted local cache. Follow the cache-clearing steps above again, but this time also clear Site settings for perplexity.ai. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site Settings > View permissions and data stored across sites. Search for perplexity.ai and click the trash icon to delete all stored data.
Model Reverts on a Different Device
The model setting is tied to your Perplexity account, not the device. If it reverts on another device, the setting did not save correctly. Repeat the steps above on the original device and verify that the saved model appears after the page reloads. If it still shows Sonar, contact Perplexity support through the Help menu in the app.
Model Reverts After Creating a New Space
When you create a new Space, the model is set to Sonar by default. To set a different model during creation, look for the Default Model dropdown on the same screen where you enter the Space name and instructions. Select your preferred model before clicking Create. This prevents the model from ever starting as Sonar.
Perplexity Space Default Model: In-Space Switcher vs Settings Panel
| Item | In-Space Model Switcher | Space Settings Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Top of the query bar inside a Space | Space details page, gear icon |
| Persistence | Temporary for the current session | Saved to the server permanently |
| Use case | Quick one-off queries with a different model | Setting the default for all future queries |
| Effect on other users | None | Changes the default for all Space members |
Use the in-Space switcher when you want a single answer from a different model. Use the Settings panel when you want every query in that Space to use your chosen model.
You can now permanently set the default model for any Perplexity Space without it reverting to Sonar. After saving the setting, test it by closing the browser, reopening it, and starting a new query. For Spaces you share with a team, remember that changing the model in the Settings panel affects everyone. To quickly verify the saved model, open the Space settings and check the Default Model dropdown before running any queries.