Persistent bug preventing Plex from scanning MUSIC folders in particular

Plex Media Server
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Server Version#:1.29.1.6260-420892357
Player Version#: 4.87.2

I honestly don’t know where to begin, since at this point I have frequently endured the long-term torture that is PLEX. On paper, PMS sounds like the best thing since sliced bread (and when it works as intended, it very well is).

The problem, however is that PLEX rarely works trouble-free. I have read countless posts alluding to this. It seems that almost every time a new download from PLEX is installed, it upsets the apple cart in some fashion, ranging from mildly irritating to, well…seemingly existential, as is the current case.

It is clear that very many users are not able to scan MUSIC folders in particular. All else seems to work (movies, photos, etc). I was able to do this prior to the most recent PMS download, so clearly this is where the problem lies. Notwithstanding our inability to speak to a PLEX Human (Something that is becoming increasingly anger-inducing, given just how incredibly unstable PLEX is, how frequently these issues arise, how long-winded and time-consuming it is to chase down solutions, as well as how long it takes PLEX to fix such issues).

Furthermore, I have to ask the question: "Where is PLEX when it comes to dealing with such a pervasive issue? Are we getting a fix anytime soon? What on earth are we supposed to do in the meantime? I am now stuck (once again) with a product that fails to do what it claims…with no apparent comeback. Did I mention just how much of a fool I feel at the moment? Almost as if I’ve been taken for a ride.

You would have thought I’d have learned my lesson by now. I have only recently come back to PLEX, having effectively been shut out of my own media for MONTHS, not having the heart to endure the pain and drudgery necessary to sort out a slew of never-ending issues. Having finally regained access (to a service I have after all paid handsomely for, being an OG lifetime pass holder), I thought the dark clouds were behind me. How deluded I was. With the most recent Synology DSM7 update, I am back to square one. I decided to take the drastic step of completely uninstalling the software and starting again.

This is how, by a process of elimination, I have been able to identify that the scanning issue is specific to Music folders.

I have had no emails (yeah, right) from PLEX alerting the community to this issue and their plans to rectify it. This is totally unacceptable. So I ask: "PLEX, can you please sort this issue out? I don’t have to tell you how seriously most of us take our media organizing, and now that you’ve effectively got a captive audience, stop taking us for granted.

I am well aware of the gargantuan task it is to provide a fully functioning media organizing software package, but your inability to respond to our concerns in a timely manner, issues is shocking. All we want to know is WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ISSUE A FIX FOR THIS INTRACTIBLE PROBLEM?

Having invested so much time (and money) to create a seamless media environment, my heart sinks every time a get notified of a new PLEX download…it rarely comes without issues…which points to a complete lack of testing on the part of PLEX prior to roll out.

It’s been quite a while since my last post, primarily because of the time and thought required to articulate my issue(s) as accurately as possible, whilst not wanting to duplicate what’s already been mentioned by other frustrated users…however, I feel it warranted to provide both the perspective as well as echo the frustration and dissatisfaction we all share. This whole “get together and share your problems in the hope that someone will provide a solution” (i.e. The Forum) has worn thin a long time ago and increasingly smacks of a callous cost-saving measure. Most people don’t have the time for this, and so suffer in silence in the hope that a subsequent update might solve the problem (was that the intention all along?)

For God’s sake PLEX, sort this out!!!

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What longstanding bugs / problems are you facing with your Music library?

Since a few months I have a Plex Pass, mainly for accessing my library when out of home.
I have a lifetime Roon (there are longstanding bugs there too, but they seem to chose for user growth by developing new features) license too, but it crashes sometimes and recommendations in my library are not on par with Sonic Analysis.
(there is room for improvement on Sonic Analysis though but I LOVE IT!).
And with multi-room coming: exiting times ahead!

(I used Plex in years ago for Movies and it worked flawless.
Then, with Netflix and not much sparetime and the ease of use of streaming services I used them for a while.)

In this short period of use this year I noticed the TV Series / Movies part is still working flawless.
This is lesser the case with music.

I moved a few months ago from a M1 MacMini to a Synology Nas.
I think since that time I miss loads of waveforms and I see some missing Sonic Analysis data as well on some tracks and (for me at least!) it is not easy to bring them back.
That should not be the case.

Other than that I find it very stable and a pleasure to use.

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jamesray,

Many thanks for taking the time to read my considerable post.

I have been a plex user for years, purchasing a lifetime pass almost immediately. I run plex on a Synology DS918+ 4 bay NAS. I have had a front-row seat when it comes to persistent instability and bugs. Specifically, my key issue relates to scanning music folders (for context, I have approx 150,000 albums taking up the best part of 15TB, as the majority are 24bit hi-res audio files anywhere from 44.1 to 192KHz sample rates). This is far from the first time I have experienced such issues, especially following a plex server update…something echoed by many of the forum. When you have such an extensive music library (with all the associated metadata), such problems are magnified exponentially. I say my ‘key’ issue, as there are others, but they pale by comparison. Trust that makes things a little clearer

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I’m sorry you’re experiencing some issues. As for being more clear… your 2nd post doesn’t seem to clarify much – at least not to me. What’s the nature of your scanning problem (e.g. is it slow, does it drop files, does it miss files…)?

As for missing waveforms and sonic analysis… did you re-analyze your audio library since migrating it (or specific albums since noticing they’re missing that information)?

Also… not aware of a general or widespread issue in that area.
So let’s focus on what you experience (unless there’s specific related recent threads).

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I don’t remember, problaby not then. I don’t have a library as big as Mulatoboy but with around 6.500 albums it takes some time. I selectedthe albums to analyze and lets see what happens.

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tom80H,

I very much appreciate your reply. As for my specific issue…When scanning music folders (something I am having to do yet again as I write this), it just hangs/freezes. When I attempt to cancel, it doesn’t respond, resulting in my having to shut down the server and reboot. Rinse, repeat to no avail. All this since the latest plex update. A cursory search on google will show you that I’m far from alone. Clearly, most people just can’t be bothered to go through the tedious process of posting their predicaments (can’t say as I blame them). As I have already mentioned, this is not the first time I’ve had to move mountains in order to get things working…something I find totally unnecessary, as such a pernicious issue should have been thoroughly tested and eradicated prior to issuing an update. I’ve been using plex for many years now…same s***t, different day. How’s that for clarification?

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That’s more to the point :wink:

What scanner/agent have you configured for that music library of yours?
How are the files in your music library organized / named?

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tom80H,

I am using the standard plex scanning procedure (‘scan library files’). I have never had to ‘configure’ any special scanner/agent’ in order to scan files of any sort in plex. As for the music files, they are arranged according to plex convention. As I said earlier, I have been using this platform for years. I am well aware of the plex naming/organizing conventions which I always follow to a tee. I have several other folders (movies, concerts, photos, etc) that don’t have any such issues. This is a problem specific to Music folders, something experienced by many others.

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You don’t need to specify the scanner/agent to scan your library files. However it’s an option of each library.
What options are selected in your library (from the library’s context menu):

  1. Click ⋮ > Manage Library > Edit...
  2. Open the Advanced tab
  3. Check the options for Scanner and Agent

Then it’s ok. I’ve been asking because there’s frequently issues where users claim their files are 100% in line with the Plex schema. When following up, there’s often some deviation which might have been tolerated for years (until that’s no longer the case).

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My re-analyse scan hangs to:

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jamesray,

We’ve got to ask ourselves…Is this what we signed up to? To become unpaid troubleshooters? PMS is riddled with bugs and always has been. It’s a totally unacceptable situation. I am waiting for a senior member of the company to break cover and address my concerns head-on…I’ll say again: I am not for a second downplaying the enormous achievements of this platform - one of a kind, however it requires far more thorough testing, especially before releasing updates. I am now conditioned to expect carnage every time there’s a new update. Speaks volumes

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Well, my history with Plex (music) is too short to experience with what you have but it is frustrating as it is now.

I just want to curate, rate, create playlists and collections, discover new music but I definitely don’t want to be a sys-admin.

13

In my case (trying to have Plex scan hundreds of newly added FLAC files) I noticed that that the process keeps running in the background (new albums slowly show up after hours of processing) despite the message being stuck at a particular file.

Have you tried to leave the scan running unattended and check back after a day or two to see if there is any progress at all?

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paume, that was one of the very first things I tried

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