# Missing Files

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934>\
**Category:** Plex Media Server\
**Tags:** server-terramaster, library-management\
**Created:** [December 31, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934 "2022-12-31T14:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 16\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/1 "2022-12-31T14:51:18Z")

</div>

I clearly see files for shows being scanned that do not then show up when the scan is complete.

For example, The Good Wife is one of many shows where I can read the name of episode after episode from s01e01 to the end of the last season beginning with the show name The Good Wife while the files are bing scanned. When the scan is over the show is not listed with a thumb nail. And when I use the search feature to find it the show is listed as unavailable on my server. The vast majority of shows I have added sync with the Plex Media Server flawlessly. There are several dozen that do not. I cannot ascertain why. Can anyone explain it to me? It would be one thing if the scanner could not recognize the files. But it clearly recognized them and lists the files name correctly before not populating them to the library. I do not know why or how that could happen.

Server Version#:  
Player Version#:

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SE56](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/se56/32/222425_2.png) [@SE56](https://forums.plex.tv/u/SE56)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/2 "2022-12-31T14:56:23Z")

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Can you post a screen shot of the missing thumbnails and Naming and structure of the title Good Wife?

Which version of PMS?

Which Browser?

Which version of OS?

Scanner and agent for Library?

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**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 3:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/3 "2022-12-31T15:12:15Z")

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And a copy of your [server logs](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/4 "2022-12-31T16:47:41Z")

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here an example of a scan taking place as I post  
andor has only 1 season and is registering 10 while American horror story that has 7 seasons is showing as having 1  
I do not know where all the episodes from the other seasons like 7 went but I suspect they are mislabeled and buried in andor somewhere  
the same naming conventions were used to label all seasons of American horror story and yet something has gone awry that did not happen with 1883 or 68 whiskey

 ![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 11.41.41 AM (2)](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/e/0/4/e043c450153aa18a6f29deddb76211ee38f7bca8.jpeg)  
 ![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 11.41.45 AM (2)](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/3/8/7/3872252339610a8fcb76f0fd40a0fbcb60f46ee6.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/5 "2022-12-31T16:48:46Z")

</div>

![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 11.41.57 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/a/e/9/ae924b63f8e98cba97d1f7faa74c9b84697858c3.png)  
 ![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 11.42.06 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/8/4/9/84945714e02ac1ac8552c20e200adee8a5cd0e00.png)  
 ![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 11.42.11 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/6/6/e/66ee6e2ebad63c38c9e2f336e44c4b99e418fd90.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/6 "2022-12-31T16:51:31Z")

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[Plex Media Server.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/vMIy4sZDjJsFzykbeRlkQdlmQYE.log) (9.6 MB)  
[Plex Media Server.1.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/pEptb00vhkVoHsUEhZKjpwdpPij.log) (10.0 MB)  
[Plex Media Server.2.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/3bsrLXRIwgug26xyhrHlKzqt3Mh.log) (10.0 MB)  
[Plex Media Server.3.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/u6rBOPxafRqDmlDxXbTOvhz3pxl.log) (10.0 MB)  
[Plex Media Server.4.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/1GkZaSMVRAkhwyIhhV269S9pwCG.log) (10.0 MB)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/7 "2022-12-31T16:52:02Z")

</div>

[Plex Media Server.5.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/z9rRLA58rsxH8n1W8pOokMaUif1.log) (10.0 MB)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/8 "2022-12-31T16:52:25Z")

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@scratchwork can you please upload the entire zip? I suspect the [server logs](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) will identify a naming/folder structure issue.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:54pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/9 "2022-12-31T16:54:19Z")

</div>

Which version of PMS?

#### Version 4.87.2

Which Browser?  
Safari  
Which version of OS?  
iOS 16.2  
Scanner and agent for Library?  
plex tv series  
and  
plex tv series

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 4:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/10 "2022-12-31T16:56:30Z")

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If you edit the library what file paths are listed under the `add folders` section?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scratchwork](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@scratchwork](https://forums.plex.tv/u/scratchwork)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/11 "2022-12-31T18:13:20Z")

</div>

![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 1.12.40 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/9/2/8/92823af98ef4f270325e6eb7d6e845dd1522aeca.png)  
 ![Screenshot 2022-12-31 at 1.12.49 PM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/f/9/8/f98c5f7ec8d934f8ef092d0ffdb0825426577728.png)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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:** [December 31, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/12 "2022-12-31T19:10:10Z")

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Don’t add individual show or season folders to the library. Just add the top-level folder which contains your shows. They way you’ve added all kind of different folders, this is due to cause trouble.

You should also review how you organize those shows and your file naming.  
[https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/)

# 

**Example:**

```plaintext
Volume1
  @usb
    usbshare3
      Ended Series E-H <- add this folder to your library ("library folder")
        Friends <- show folder
          Season 01 <- season folder
            Friends - s01e01.ext <- episode file

```

There should be no other folders between the library folder and your show folders.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/13 "2022-12-31T19:15:38Z")

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> [@dbirch](#):
>
> will identify a naming/folder structure issue.

Yep.

@scratchwork  
[Plex Documentation](https://support.plex.tv/articles/) → [Your Media](https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/)  
 → [Naming & Organizing Your TV Show Files](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-tv-show-files/)  
 → [Naming & Organizing Your Movie Files](https://support.plex.tv/articles/naming-and-organizing-your-movie-media-files/)

You need to follow Plex naming and organization requirements.

Your current naming and organization is not even close.

- The `HDTV` folder is not supported.
- The Season folder is named incorrectly.
- You have an episode of The Rookie in the directory for American Horror Stories.
- Andor is not in an individual show folder  
`/Volume1/usbshare2/Ended Series A-D/Andor.S01E00.A.Disney.Day.Special.Look.720p.WEB.h264-KOGi.mkv`

Also, you need to clarify if the show is [American Horror **Stories** (2021)](https://thetvdb.com/series/american-horror-stories) or [American Horror **Story** (2011)](https://thetvdb.com/series/american-horror-story).

```auto
/Volume1/usbshare2/Ended Series A-D/American Horror Stories/American Horror Stories Season 2/HDTV/American.Horror.Stories.S02E07.WEBRip.x264-ION10

/Volume1/usbshare2/Ended Series A-D/American Horror Stories/American Horror Stories Season 2/HDTV/American.Horror.Stories.S02E04.WEBRip.x264-ION10/the.rookie.s05e01.1080p.web.h264-plzproper.mkv

```

  

Correct Naming & Organization (using American Horror **Stories** )

```auto
/Volume1/usbshare2/Ended Series A-D/ <-- folder added to TV Show library
.../American Horror Stories (2021) {tvdb-382187} <-- ShowName (year); TVDB/TMDB ID optional
....../Season 02 <-- "Season" in English, two digits for number
........./American Horror Stories (2020) s02e07.ext <-- sXXeYY mandatory; ext=mp4/mkv/etc.

```

  

If you need to rename many files:

- [Filebot](https://www.filebot.net/)
- [Tiny Media Manager](https://www.tinymediamanager.org/)
- [Microsoft PowerTools PowerRenamer](https://github.com/microsoft/PowerToys)

Many people use Filebot. It is quite powerful and can rename an entire library in minutes.

Tiny Media Manager is also very useful, and free.

TMM Renamer Patterns:

- Show Name: `${showTitle} (${showYear})`
- Season: `Season ${seasonNr2}`
- Episode Name: `${showTitle} (${showYear}) s${seasonNr2}e${episodeNr2} ${episode.title}`
- Movie Name: `${title} (${year}) {imdb-${imdb}}`

PowerRenamer in Microsoft Power Tools is helpful for simple renaming with pattern matches or regular expressions. It makes quick work of tasks such as adding a year to file names, removing undesirable text from multiple files, etc.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/14 "2022-12-31T21:10:46Z")

</div>

I will also note that you have recursive folders in your library.

- `/Volume1/@usb/usbshare1/Ended Series I-R`
- `/Volume1/@usb/usbshare1`

This will cause a LOT of headaches. See above for proper naming/folder structure.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SE56](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/se56/32/222425_2.png) [@SE56](https://forums.plex.tv/u/SE56)\
**Post date:** [December 31, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/15 "2022-12-31T21:11:51Z")

</div>

Hi, sorry I didn’t get back sooner but living at the bottom of world and New Year a day earlier. My good friends from Plex and the forum have pointed you in the right direction.

As it has been pointed out, Structure and Naming has been your enemy. You maybe thinking why does it work sometimes or most of the time? The answer was once told to me, It works till it don’t.  
As FordGuy61 has mentioned using TVDb and TMDb ID’s can be useful but not absolutely essential. Example, in my vast Library I have required it less than 20 times. Structure and Naming correctly is King.  
Don’t let this daunting task discourage you, with a little organising you will be up and running. I will give a little advice on moving forward though. After Fixing all this up please become familiar with the [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064) and regularly Optimizing and Clean Bundles after large adding or removing files.

 ![Screen Shot 2023-01-01 at 6.59.30 am](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/9/6/8/9684061531e4d36c0db13459df395107b01163cd.jpeg)

So happier times are ahead and I can say it is all worth while with these new features, Detect intros and credits, Cast Filmography Metadata which is my absolute favourite.

Cheers

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [March 31, 2023, 9:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/missing-files/824934/16 "2023-03-31T21:12:01Z")

</div>

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