It would be nice if there was an added filter setting in each PLEX library like the existing: “All, AHR, Unplayed, InProgress, Unmatched and Duplicates”
A filter setting: “Unavailable”, when setting this filter would search the current library and provide a list of “Unavailable” items, then have an option to create a pdf or text file of such listing.
Keep everything contained within PLEX, not force the need to find outside options when hardware storage poops the bed…
You should already be able to filter for Trash. I believe that’s covering what you’re asking for.
Trash is one thing… but a listing that is “Unavailable” is another thing.
If a storage location is removed or fails due to a hardware problem, the entry will still exist. It will be presented with all its metadata and artwork, but will be shown as “Unavailable” and can not be played.
Having a filter option to search and display any such files so they can be either replaced or have the entry removed will make PLEX function better.
I’ve had a storage drive failure, where the drive is completely dead. There is no way for me to extract from the drive what media is now missing from PLEX’s library listing.
The filter option: “Unavailable”, would speed the process of replacing the missing media.
Using the “Trash” filter does NOT show missing media.
There have been others asking for a way to retrieve a listing of “Unavailable” media and have been instructed to get third party apps.
Plex2CSV - This tool has been discontinued
…directed to get replacement tool:
ExportTools.bundle -
Notice:
ExportTools is getting near End-Of-Life !
All development on this has ended !
…directed to get replacement tool:
WebTools-NG
PLEX already has the ability to show a media file is “Unavailable”, just need the ability to have a filter option to show what media items are “Unavailable” in a particular library so as a system manager, those missing items can be replaced or the existing entries can be removed.
I would rather have PLEX show me than to have a third party app get involved.
“…too many cooks spoil the media server…”
Looking back in the messages… I see this same kind of request was made in 2013 and the message was closed. It also looks like it was ignored then as it is being ignored now… 
They’re the same thing.
They are not…
If a storage device is off-line or fails, the media entries still exist in the library data base because they were not “removed” or “deleted” to trash. So when an off-line storage device is reconnected, access to the contained media is restored. If you try to access media that is contained in an off-line/failed device, the item will be presented with all artwork and metadata, but will be indicated as: “Unavailable”.
If a said media device has suffered an unrecoverable hardware failure you have no option to display what library entries are missing, whereas if you had the option to set a search filter “Unavailable”, you could then list entries that are contained in the library but are unavailable to be played. Having that search option with the added option to create a text file with the “Unavailable” files and their storage location would greatly help in replacing those missing files or delete/remove them from the library data base.
Test for yourself, if you have media contained on a USB device, disconnect the USB device and try to play a known media file, the media will be presented with all artwork and metadata but labeled as “Unavailable”. Then use the search filter: “Trash”, that unavailable media will NOT be shown in the “Trash” search. Reconnecting the USB device, the media is available once again and can be played.
You’re right, items are trashed when plex scans and notices the drive/volume exists, but the file doesn’t. Unavailable is when the whole volume is just missing, as this could be a temp issue. I wish such a filter existed a year ago when I had an external device failure. WebTools-NG saved me, but like you say, I wished I didn’t need to resort to using a third party tool, when it is so easy for Plex to spit out.
John_R, Thank you for confirming this issue.
“Trash” and “Unavailable” are two separate conditions.
“Trash” is a particular media element which is accessible (a connected storage location) has been purposely deleted or for some reason is no longer present, it is then removed from library listings and is moved to trash.
“Unavailable” is a media element which is shown in library listings but is not accessible due to a connected storage location either being disconnected or the storage device has failed. If the storage location is reconnected the media element will be able to be played as normal, but, if the particular storage device has failed, the unavailable listing will persist and can not be played.
That’s why there is a dire need to have an “Unavailable” filter with the ability to create a text file to identify media that is persisting in listings but unable to be played due to a missing/failed storage location from within PLEX Media Server.
This way those unavailable items can be replaced to a connected storage location and the system rescanned, then the items that were unavailable will get updated and will then be playable once again.
To go over it once again:
Here’s the situation:
You have a disconnected storage location or that particular storage location has suffered a hardware failure. The media stored on that particular location, when going to a library listing in PLEX, the items will be displayed but will be shown as “Unavailable”.
Currently from within PLEX, there is no way to system wide identify which items are “Unavailable”.
And to restate that’s why there is a dire need to have an “Unavailable” filter with the ability to create a text file to identify media that is persisting in listings but unable to be played due to a missing/failed storage location from “within PLEX Media Server”.
This way those unavailable items can be replaced to a connected storage location and the system rescanned, then the items that were “Unavailable” will get updated and will then be playable once again.
In summary:
Ability to scan PLEX Media Server libraries for “Unavailable” media items with a library filter.
Ability to create a text file with the “Unavailable” library filter that contains the missing items and their location.
I’m sorry, but they are “NOT” the same thing.
Yes, I agree. A drive failure can happen at anytime, which sucks, and having the option to be able to search for “UNAVAILABLE” content when that dreadful moment happens would be great.
If a library path is unavailable, you could use the “Plex SQLite” binary to give you a list with a query like this
select root_path from section_locations where available is null
This support article shows how the Plex SQLite binary can be used - adapt the instructions to run the above database query
Repair a Corrupted Database | Plex Support
If it is only one or a few media files that are not available then on scanning these would show up in the Trash filter
I will be discussing with the development team the request to consider adding this to the library filters list
Had a discussion with the development team. Plex Media Server does not always know when a drive fails. So it may unavailable but Plex Media Server won’t know until a scan is scheduled. So the filter may not give you the true state.
You have the third party tool WebTools-NG and also an sqlite query you can run to give you the information you need.
I like this from the “relative root path” perspective. It should be significantly easier to determine the difference between:
A) Specified path does not exist / location is inaccessible.
B) File list operation returns zero results.
This detection perhaps should occur from the media scanner, since the DB only knows these things indirectly, and does not know of condition A without enhancement - however introducing the feature via DB query likely carries significantly less risk. In doing so we provide ingredients to enhance our failure tolerance, and thus, our customer satisfaction. That’s our real justification to provide this feature.
As an output trying to keep this within existing frameworks or with minimal changes, we could address this with a “Path not found” markup on the library configuration screen. We’d send this through the server alerts or push notifications to the admin. Users should continue to have an identical experience as if the item was trashed - there is no reason for a non-admin user to know the difference.
The remaining use case to round this out at the library/DB level would be: Help the admin identify what is missing, so it can be replaced.
I also confirm that I am having the same issue. But its random missing files for me. My only option is to view every single movie and episode individually. Trash is empty but files are Unavailable. Trash and Unavailable are not the same.
Any updates on this topic?
