diff --git a/docs/architecture/player-controls-contract.md b/docs/architecture/player-controls-contract.md
index 07fae5b23..4f6049263 100644
--- a/docs/architecture/player-controls-contract.md
+++ b/docs/architecture/player-controls-contract.md
@@ -477,8 +477,9 @@ the panel the moment the last group disappears.
   reports it, else the first — and arrows, Home and End move focus with a
   CDK `FocusKeyManager` (wrapping; the horizontal arrows follow `direction`)
   and check the option they reach, as a native radio group does: the
-  directive clicks it, so the template's handler applies the choice. An
-  option the engine already reports as checked is not applied again. Focus
+  directive clicks it, so the template's handler applies the choice, even
+  onto an option the engine still reports as checked: returning to it must
+  cancel a switch that is still pending. Focus
   changes also write the roving `tabindex` immediately, because a quick
   Shift+Tab, Tab can arrive before change detection updates the bindings. The dialog is named by its `h2` title (`aria-labelledby`), each
   radio group by its `h3` group heading or `h4` subheading, and the delay
diff --git a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/player-settings-panel.a11y.spec.ts b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/player-settings-panel.a11y.spec.ts
index 8f5770238..1e2e25b98 100644
--- a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/player-settings-panel.a11y.spec.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/player-settings-panel.a11y.spec.ts
@@ -257,11 +257,11 @@ describe('PlayerSettingsPanelComponent accessibility', () => {
             '2×',
             '0.5×',
         ]);
-        // Every move applies its option — except onto 1×, which the (fake)
-        // engine still reports as checked, so it is not applied again.
+        // Every move applies its option, 1× included: the (fake) engine
+        // still reports 1× checked, but 1.25× is the pending request.
         expect(
             fake.commands.setPlaybackSpeed.mock.calls.map(([speed]) => speed)
-        ).toEqual([1.25, 1.5, 1.25, 2, 0.5, 2, 0.5]);
+        ).toEqual([1.25, 1.5, 1.25, 1, 2, 0.5, 2, 0.5]);
     });
 
     it('keeps arrow keys inside their own group', () => {
@@ -272,7 +272,9 @@ describe('PlayerSettingsPanelComponent accessibility', () => {
         expect(document.activeElement).toBe(german);
         press(german, 'ArrowDown');
         expect(document.activeElement).toBe(english);
-        expect(fake.commands.setAudioTrack.mock.calls).toEqual([[2]]);
+        // Returning before the engine confirms the first switch applies
+        // English again; otherwise the pending switch would win.
+        expect(fake.commands.setAudioTrack.mock.calls).toEqual([[2], [1]]);
         expect(fake.commands.setPlaybackSpeed).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
diff --git a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/settings-radio-group.directive.ts b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/settings-radio-group.directive.ts
index fb75afe29..150010958 100644
--- a/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/settings-radio-group.directive.ts
+++ b/libs/ui/playback/src/lib/player-controls/settings-radio-group.directive.ts
@@ -42,11 +42,14 @@ export class SettingsRadioDirective implements FocusableOption {
         this.group.onOptionFocus(this);
     }
 
-    /** Checks the option through its own click handler, as a press would. */
+    /**
+     * Checks the option through its own click handler, as a press would.
+     * Unconditionally: the engine may still report this option checked
+     * while a switch away from it is pending, and returning to it must
+     * cancel that switch.
+     */
     check(): void {
-        if (!this.checked()) {
-            this.element.click();
-        }
+        this.element.click();
     }
 
     /** Immediate write of what the `tabindex` binding renders next. */