diff --git a/modules/nameplates.lua b/modules/nameplates.lua
index 710cb159..b134ad56 100644
--- a/modules/nameplates.lua
+++ b/modules/nameplates.lua
@@ -1513,20 +1513,25 @@ nameplates:RegisterEvent("ZONE_CHANGED_NEW_AREA")
     -- Use multiple checks for target detection (target variable, istarget flag, or zoomed state)
     local isTargetPlate = target or nameplate.istarget or (nameplate.health and nameplate.health.zoomed)
     if cfg.showcastbar and ( not cfg.targetcastbar or isTargetPlate ) then
-      -- Always use GUID for cast lookup to prevent duplicate castbars on same-name mobs
-      local plateGUID = nil
-
+      local unitstr = nil
+      local targetGUID = nil
+      
+      -- Get GUID for CastEvents lookup - use cached GUID when available
       if isTargetPlate then
-        plateGUID = state and state.targetGuid
-        if not plateGUID then
-          plateGUID = GetUnitGUID("target")
+        targetGUID = state and state.targetGuid
+        if not targetGUID then
+          local guid = GetUnitGUID("target")
+          targetGUID = guid
         end
-      else
-        plateGUID = nameplate.cachedGuid
       end
-
-      -- Check event-based cast cache by GUID
-      local castInfo = plateGUID and GetCastInfo(plateGUID)
+      
+      -- Use cached GUID for non-target plates
+      if not isTargetPlate then
+        unitstr = nameplate.cachedGuid
+      end
+      
+      -- Check event-based cast cache first (use GUID)
+      local castInfo = GetCastInfo(targetGUID) or (unitstr and GetCastInfo(unitstr))
       
       if castInfo and castInfo.spellID then
         -- Check if cast is still valid
@@ -1570,21 +1575,38 @@ nameplates:RegisterEvent("ZONE_CHANGED_NEW_AREA")
           nameplate.castbar:Show()
         end
       else
-        -- No cast in libdebuff_casts for this GUID
-        -- For target plate: try API fallback (channels may not be in cast cache)
-        -- For non-target: no GUID = no castbar (prevents duplicate castbars on same-name mobs)
+        -- Fallback to API calls only when no GUID available (Nampower not tracking this unit)
         local channel, cast, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill
 
-        if isTargetPlate and UnitExists("target") then
-          if UnitCastingInfo then
+        if targetGUID then
+          -- We have a GUID but Nampower has no cast info.
+          -- Fall back to API for the target plate (channels may not be in cast cache)
+          if isTargetPlate and UnitExists("target") then
             cast, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitCastingInfo("target")
+            if not cast then
+              channel, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitChannelInfo("target")
+            end
           end
-          if not cast and UnitChannelInfo then
+          if not cast and not channel then
+            nameplate.castbar:Hide()
+          end
+        elseif isTargetPlate and UnitExists("target") then
+          cast, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitCastingInfo("target")
+          if not cast then
             channel, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitChannelInfo("target")
           end
-        elseif plateGUID then
-          -- Non-target with GUID but no cast data = no cast
-          nameplate.castbar:Hide()
+        elseif unitstr then
+          local guid = GetUnitGUID(unitstr)
+          local q = guid or unitstr
+          cast, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitCastingInfo(q)
+          if not cast then
+            channel, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitChannelInfo(q)
+          end
+        elseif name then
+          cast, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitCastingInfo(name)
+          if not cast then
+            channel, nameSubtext, text, texture, startTime, endTime, isTradeSkill = UnitChannelInfo(name)
+          end
         end
 
         if not cast and not channel then