Issues Moving Folders - Rescan Not Finding Them

[steamship]

Server Version#: 1.42.2.10156-f737b826c - Asustor As-604T (latest version)
Player Version#: 4.147.1 (latest version)

I decided that I would try and tidy up my TV Shows media files recently. I already have my Films media set up in block folders (0-9&A-D,E-J,K-P,Q-T,U-Z), and wanted the TV Shows set up the same. Currently, the top level folder is ‘TV Shows’, and every show has it’s own folder below that, with sub-folders for seasons. As a result, I currently have over 80 folders.

I created 5 sub-folders, named the same as the film ones. I read the Plex article about ‘moving media’, but am having issues. The first thing I did was untick the ‘empty trash after scan’. I then did the following as a test:

1. Stopped Plex
2. Opened file explorer in NAS and copied one TV show to the relevant sub-folder (‘TV Shows\Allo Allo’ to ‘TV Shows\TV Shows 0-9 A-D\Allo Allo’
3. Restarted Plex and scanned the TV Shows library
4. Checked the info on one episode, and it shows two copies in different folders. Exactly as expected
5. Stopped Plex
6. Deleted original folder with NAS
7. Restarted Plex and scanned library
8. Checked info on the exact same episode, and now only one location. Exactly as expected. (‘TV Shows\TV Shows 0-9 A-D\Allo Allo’). This is what I get:

This is what the library page looks like after the test run:

With that working, I decided to do a set of folders (4 programmes) using the exact same procedure, and this is where it goes wrong. After stage 3 above, those 4 programmes disappear off the main Library screen.

What I did find however, is when I checked the Info for the test episode above, I now find the missing programmes, or at least where they get tagged onto. It’s easier to explain with another screenshot:

As you can see, there are now four different programmes associated with the first episode of my test run.

I’ve tried this several times, even just doing it with just one other TV show, and they keep getting tagged onto the first set I tried. When starting or stopping Plex during the procedure, I always give it about 30 seconds or so, to ensure that it has completed the task.

[OttoKerner]

@steamship

I already have my Films media set up in block folders (0-9&A-D,E-J,K-P,Q-T,U-Z), and wanted the TV Shows set up the same. Currently, the top level folder is ‘TV Shows’, and every show has it’s own folder below that, with sub-folders for seasons.

You cannot do that with tv shows. If you do it, you get precisely what you are reporting above.

If you insist on having these “index letter folders”, you will have to add each one of them individually to your Plex library, instead of the parent TV Shows\ folder.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/

[steamship]

Sorry for not responding earlier, but I didn’t receive any notifications that someone had replied. I’ve just gone through that page you linked to, and hopefully understand it.

So, if I add those folders into the ‘TV Shows’ library list, as in the attached image, and then follow the procedure outlined in my original post, then that should work? In the meantime, I should have some time this evening to try it on a couple of TV Series.

[OttoKerner]

If you do it exactly like in the picture, with both the /TV Shows folder and the /TV Shows/TV Shows 0-9 A-D added, you will get chaos.

[steamship]

I’m glad I asked beforehand. I also just reread your initial response and overlooked one important word, ‘instead’. So if I add the new folder(s) to the library AND remove my original library, that should work?

Will it also remember the view status and any other relevant data? I’m currently watching five other TV shows, and don’t want to relocate them until I’m confident with the process.

[OttoKerner]

@steamship

Will it also remember the view status and any other relevant data

That depends. If the show was matched with the same metadata agent before, it will usually retain watched status.

[steamship]

Glad to say that following the linked documents and your instructions (to the letter), I’ve now got all my TV Series into a set of folders, which I find neater. Rescanned and everything as it should be, with watched, unwatched and current series all having the correct data.

Currently in the process of doing a new of external backups with the new file structure. Thanks