diff --git a/conda_libmamba_solver/index.py b/conda_libmamba_solver/index.py
index 4c5ca00c..5afde148 100644
--- a/conda_libmamba_solver/index.py
+++ b/conda_libmamba_solver/index.py
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ def _fetch_channel(self, url: str) -> tuple[str, os.PathLike]:
         return url, json_path
 
     def _json_path_to_repo_info(
-        self, url: str, json_path: str, try_solv: bool = False
+        self, url: str, json_path: str, try_solv: bool = True
     ) -> _ChannelRepoInfo | None:
         channel = Channel.from_url(url)
         noauth_url = channel.urls(with_credentials=False, subdirs=(channel.subdir,))[0]
diff --git a/news/482-try-solv-true b/news/482-try-solv-true
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..6feb8e83
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/482-try-solv-true
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Fix a performance regression where `.solv` repodata cache files were not being loaded when available. (#481 via #482)
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>