# Cannot empty trash or delete some libraries **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-linux\ **Created:** [September 9, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062 "2021-09-09T16:00:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![schizznit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@schizznit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/schizznit)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 4:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/1 "2021-09-09T16:00:22Z")
Server Version#: 1.24.2.4973 Player Version#: N/A [Plex Media Server Logs\_2021-09-09\_10-36-25.zip](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/5TtiqgYNBoLIS8ayTWz0r9xVwpK.zip) (5.4 MB) Server is CentOS uname -a Linux [horace.psyonix.net](http://horace.psyonix.net) 4.18.0-305.17.1.el8\_4.x86\_64 #1 SMP Wed Sep 8 14:00:07 UTC 2021 x86\_64 x86\_64 x86\_64 GNU/Linux 3 Libraries (of 5) are not able to empty trash or be removed via the “delete” function in the server gui. There was some file corruption that prevented the server from booting properly, after running FSCK it was able to boot and appeared to be successfully repaired, but now 3 of my Libraries (Cartoons, Music, and TV Shows) throw errors emptying the trash and also cannot be deleted via the GUI ( I was ready to just delete the libraries and re-create). I have performed the database repair using the SQlite dump commands provided in ([https://support.plex.tv/articles/repair-a-corrupted-database/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/repair-a-corrupted-database/)) but it seems to make no difference. My libraries are fairly large (100TB+) and I would prefer repairing them rather than re-creating them, but at this point I’m open to almost anything. ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 4:07pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/2 "2021-09-09T16:07:33Z")
It appears the repair attempt of your library has failed. Your options are probably down to (a) restore your server from a working backup or (b) start over with a new database. With such a large library I hope you have backups… ---
**Author:** ![schizznit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@schizznit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/schizznit)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/3 "2021-09-09T16:17:40Z")
Unfortunately no backups, I’m ok with starting over with a new database. How could I go about removing the old libraries and re-creating? I currently cannot delete them from the GUI. They disappear for just a brief moment and then come right back after deletion. ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/4 "2021-09-09T16:21:51Z")
Simply deleting a library won’t do as that doesn’t restore the database. Basically starting over means you’ll have to nuke your current server: [https://support.plex.tv/articles/201198426-restart-plex-media-server-setup-from-scratch/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201198426-restart-plex-media-server-setup-from-scratch/) # If you want to spend the effort you can try to salvage some of the view state / ratings from your current setup and manually transfer those to the future server. [https://support.plex.tv/articles/201154527-move-viewstate-ratings-from-one-install-to-another/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201154527-move-viewstate-ratings-from-one-install-to-another/) ---
**Author:** ![schizznit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@schizznit](https://forums.plex.tv/u/schizznit)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2021, 4:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/5 "2021-09-09T16:53:16Z")
C’est la vie! I figured as much but was keeping my fingers crossed for an easier alternative. Thank you Tom for your quick replies, you’re awesome! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-empty-trash-or-delete-some-libraries/742062/6 "2021-12-08T16:54:05Z")
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.