# Cleaning up plex/files? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [April 26, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256 "2020-04-26T19:26:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![trellaine201](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ea924/32.png) [@trellaine201](https://forums.plex.tv/u/trellaine201)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/1 "2020-04-26T19:26:54Z")
I only use plex to view my movies on my network. I recently deleted a bunch of files off my mac. But they still show in plex but obviously don’t play because the file has been deleted. Is there an automated way to clean these up? When i goto my shield to view all the deleted files still show up. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![nydave69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/fbc32d/32.png) [@nydave69](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nydave69)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 7:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/2 "2020-04-26T19:28:18Z")
If they show with a trash can then you can just empty the trash… ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 7:43pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/3 "2020-04-26T19:43:58Z")
> [@trellaine201](#): > > Is there an automated way to clean these up? Look at Plex server settings → Library. There are options to automatically scan your library and to empty the trash after a scan. [https://support.plex.tv/articles/200289326-emptying-library-trash/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200289326-emptying-library-trash/) ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/4 "2020-04-26T19:49:09Z")
That comes with a rather large Caveat - in that if left on and the NAS is asleep during maintenance there will be no libraries until Plex rebuilds them after it can ‘see’ all the material again. Yep - it wiped 'em out of the database and emptied the trash while you were sleeping - along with your NAS. This is generally considered a PITA and something to be avoided. I would allow it to clean up - once - then turn it off. If there are only a few and clicking the can removes them - do that. ---
**Author:** ![trellaine201](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ea924/32.png) [@trellaine201](https://forums.plex.tv/u/trellaine201)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/5 "2020-04-26T20:42:19Z")
Thank u everyone. I will take those suggestions and try. What about the option to start plex again from the beginning? like clear everything off and start fresh? I don’t think i ever had it setup properly from the beginning and its not like I have too much files. Thanks again ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 8:50pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/6 "2020-04-26T20:50:29Z")
Sure - why not? A fresh start without any drama is always good. ---
**Author:** ![trellaine201](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ea924/32.png) [@trellaine201](https://forums.plex.tv/u/trellaine201)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/7 "2020-04-26T20:53:43Z")
🙂 i have lots of time at home anyways to fiddle around. whats the best way to clear everything and start NEW again? but keep my account of course. ---
**Author:** ![JuiceWSA](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/juicewsa/32/12253_2.png) [@JuiceWSA](https://forums.plex.tv/u/JuiceWSA)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 8:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/8 "2020-04-26T20:57:57Z")
Delete the Libraries from Plexweb - Hover over library, expose ‘the dots’ and click 'em, manage library and delete. Clean out/fix names/check structures/clean house. Then do the last part of the Dance, particularly: Full scan Empty Trash Clean Bundles > [@The Plex Dance ™](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064): > > The purpose of this is to remove all cached metadata and xml data for an item that Plex usually keeps. This helps when you want to “start from scratch” for particular item move all files for the media item out of the directory your Library is looking at, so Plex will not “see” it anymore scan the library library (to detect changes) empty trash clean bundles (in menu next to server name, when accessed under ‘More’) double check naming schema and move files back scan the library Support articl… Then create some new libraries with the old paths if you want - since they’re all clean. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/9 "2020-04-26T21:00:55Z")
> **[Uninstall Plex Media Server | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201941078-uninstall-plex-media-server/)** > > Warning!: Following the instructions below will completely remove your Plex Media Server, including all library metadata, viewstates, etc. If you... ---
**Author:** ![trellaine201](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ea924/32.png) [@trellaine201](https://forums.plex.tv/u/trellaine201)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/10 "2020-04-26T21:02:57Z")
Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![jfreiman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/jfreiman/32/82584_2.png) [@jfreiman](https://forums.plex.tv/u/jfreiman)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2020, 12:39am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/11 "2020-04-27T00:39:18Z")
I have also had to turn off the auto cleaning function for similar reasons - NAS and or local virtual drives are missing or not opened/created after a Windows Update or sometimes a RAID isn’t recognised. Plex starts and almost immediately deletes entire collections containing many thousands of movies, television series, etcetera. This is terribly frustrating, agonizing and maddening!! All the fussing I did too tweak posters, descriptions, fix miss-matches, custom artwork all gone. Plex needs to be ‘smart enough’ notice an entire collection, drive or folder is missing and STOP itself from removing them from the database. Even a ‘simple?’ option to have Plex prompt the admin if ### items are missing/deleted… That’s just the start; it then takes weeks for Plex to recreate thumbnails for all the videos on the collections!!! 😭 John ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2020, 7:20pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cleaning-up-plex-files/581256/13 "2020-07-31T19:20:22Z")
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