# Migrated to new server, libraries empty

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-windows\
**Created:** [March 26, 2021, 7:20am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195 "2021-03-26T07:20:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ZakMcCrackenBlacken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b487fb/32.png) [@ZakMcCrackenBlacken](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ZakMcCrackenBlacken)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 7:20am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195/1 "2021-03-26T07:20:53Z")

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I have just installed a new server and was migrating my Plex to it. I followed the instructions and copied the whole folder. But when I finally started it, libraries were blank and I had to add them again, and it started generating metadata for the whole thing. IS this normal, I thought it would all get copied?

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**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 7:25am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195/2 "2021-03-26T07:25:17Z")

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This usually happens when you’re copying the data while the old server is still running.  
Or if it had been shutdown by force.

In this case, one can try and revert to one of the backup database files [Restore a Database Backed Up via 'Scheduled Tasks' | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202485658-restore-a-database-backed-up-via-scheduled-tasks/)

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**Author:** ![ZakMcCrackenBlacken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b487fb/32.png) [@ZakMcCrackenBlacken](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ZakMcCrackenBlacken)\
**Post date:** [March 26, 2021, 9:41am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195/3 "2021-03-26T09:41:39Z")

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Thanks. I solved it in a simpler way. After I had created the library locations, I restored the backup again and then it worked. Apparently, you must first choose the locations of the folders BEFORE restoring

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [June 24, 2021, 9:42am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/migrated-to-new-server-libraries-empty/704195/4 "2021-06-24T09:42:36Z")

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