Plex Has Over-ridden My Previous Movies Folder Metadata - How do I recover it?

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
12

Thanks for the log files.

There are no error message indicating database corruption.

There is a possible problem with Plex scanning the wrong folders. This can cause Plex stability problems so it needs to be investigated and corrected if it exists.

Suggest you take several steps before re-adding your custom posters/metadata. You want to make sure the server is stable and up to date first.

Write back with any questions, if something does not go as expected, etc.

Suggested steps:

  1. Important: Investigate / correct which folders Plex scans.
    See second item in Additional Details.
  2. Enable Settings → Library → Scan my library automatically .
  3. Ensure PMS is configured to create database backups:
    Settings → Scheduled Tasks → Backup database every three days .
  4. Scan all libraries, empty trash, clean bundles, optimize the database (in that order).
    See Plex Dance. You’re not moving any media files, but it shows where to find these tasks.

Once the above is complete, upload a fresh set of log files:

  1. Stop Plex, wait 30 seconds.
  2. Start Plex
  3. Wait 3 - 5 minutes for Plex to fully start and log the startup sequence.
  4. Pull log files (settings → troubleshooting) and upload to the thread.

Assuming the log files show no problems, you can update to the current version of Plex Media Server. Update to the Public, not Beta release.

  • Settings → Server_Name → General should indicate an update is available and have a link to download it. If not, you can download the file from plex.tv.
  • Install the update via Synology Package Center → Manual Install.
  • When PMS starts after the update it will perform several database migrations which may take some time (tens of minutes) to complete.
  • If you point a browser at the NAS, http://192.168.40.18:32400/web, you may see a single line of XML with “503 maintenance.” This is OK. Plex is performing database updates. Refresh the web page every few minutes (it won’t auto-update). When the process is finished, you should see the standard Plex login screen.
  • Login, make sure PMS looks normal, you can see your libraries, etc.

Once you’re satisfied Plex is running OK, you can add your customizations back to the system.

See info below about placing posters and other artwork in the same folder as the media files.

Write back with any questions, if something goes wrong, etc.


Additional Details

Recommendation: PMS Settings

Unless it is disabled for a specific reason, please enable Settings → Library → Scan my library automatically.

When enabled, at startup, PMS will log which directories it scans for media files.

Plex will scan your libraries automatically at startup and when it detects changes (files added/deleted/changed), so OK to leave disabled if you wish. From a log point of view, it is a “nice to have” not a “must have”.

Possible Issue: Incorrect folder(s) added to Plex library

It looks like Plex Media Server is scanning the root directory of the NAS or maybe all of /volume1.

If so, it will cause Plex Media Server stability problems.

Example: PMS scanning Synology MailServer directories

Sep 15, 2025 07:58:26.903 [139814821210936] ERROR - Couldn't check for the existence of file "/volume1/@appstore/MailServer/var/spool/postfix/flush/.plexignore": boost::filesystem::status: Permission denied [system:13]: "/volume1/@appstore/MailServer/var/spool/postfix/flush/.plexignore"

Edit every library and verify which folders have been added to each. Make sure they are only scanning the appropriate media folders.

Posters and other artwork

Plex Documentation → Your Media
→ Local Media Assets - Movies
→ Local Media Assets - TV Shows

Store custom posters and other artwork in the same folder as the media files.

This is more reliable than uploading them to Plex Media Server. If the database goes belly up and you have to start over, you still have your customizations.

Custom Metadata
The best option is to make sure you have viable database backups that can be restored if needed.

Other options are limited.

  • Plex does not support .nfo files.
    EDIT: Plex has .nfo support planned for 2025. See this post. Details TBD.
  • Plex does not read metadata embedded in MKV files.
  • Plex can read and prefer metadata embedded in MP4/M4V files (the “prefer local metadata” setting), but if the info is incorrect it can cause problems with matching, etc. Also, in general, the MP4 container is more restrictive on supported audio & subtitle formats than the MKV container.

Plex Database and Data Folder Backups

First, enable Settings → Scheduled Tasks → Backup database every three days.

Plex Media Server will keep four backups of the Plex database files. They are stored in the same folder as the active database files (DSM 7: /PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server)

Second (optional but recommended), configure HyperBackup to create a backup of the /PlexMediaServer/AppData/PlexMediaServer folder.

Have it run once per week, preferably during hours of low usage and outside the Scheduled Tasks window. If possible, the backup should be to an external drive (so if the entire NAS dies you have a backup). Keep a month or so of backups (on the Rotation tab in HyperBackup). There is no need to keep months of backups unless you want.

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