Server Version#: 1.29.1.6260 and 1.29.0.6244
Player Version#:N/A
I had a problem getting Plex to recognize an audio file. It would play in VLC but Plex would not add it. The folder view show as empty. I converted the file to other formats but they didn’t scan either (mp3, m4a, and flac). I also renamed the folder it was in and wound up with three persistent folders where there was actually only one. Finally, I just deleted the library. However, when I added the library back, the files would scan in but the library stayed empty. I could see the file names as scanning took place. I tried refreshing metadata and analyzing but no joy. I also tried adding the library with a different folder name and library name and again, no joy. The last thing I tried was to revert to the previous Plex version.
The files and folders were ALL recognized before I had the issue with the one file/folder and deleted the Audiobooks library.
I do not want to delete the database and start from scratch. I made too many edits over time to the libraries.
Or inspect them yourself. Take a look at the Plex Media Server.log file and seek for messages about database corrupt or malformed.
If you find these, you may have to repair your database. https://support.plex.tv/articles/repair-a-corrupted-database/
If the database check shows no damage, continue below.
Plex does only know about Songs which are part of a release (Album, EP, Single, Live album etc.) which in turn is attributed to an AlbumArtist.
So a standalone audio file cannot be interpreted by Plex.
I urge you to always use the following folder organization for all music in Plex:
/Music <-- folder which is added to the Plex library
/Artist Name
/Album Title
01 - Track Title.mp3
02 - Track Title.mp3
03 - Artist Name of this track - Track Title.mp3
...
If you use embedded metatags, make sure that their contents are identical to that of the folder structure.
Each Album can only have one Album Artist.
All tracks of a particular album must use the same Album Artist (but they can have different Track Artists). https://support.plex.tv/articles/200265296-adding-music-media-from-folders/
Hi Otto,
Thanks for the very detailed instructions. I couldn’t find any issue with the database. However, the problem appears to be fixed. Explanation below.
I’ve had Plex for at least 6 years and don’t remember having to start PMS as administrator after bootup. All my files are readable by “Everyone” and they have been previously scanned and indexed by Plex. To get to the point, I ran PMS as Administrator and now my Audiobooks are once again being scanned correctly. Even the audiobook that started me down this path.
Did something change or have I been overlooking it all this time? I know that I have started PMS as myself quite a lot and haven’t noticed this issue. Keywords being “haven’t noticed”. Do I need to start PMS as admin all the time?
You should avoid doing that. Because if you’ve done it once, you’ll have to do it forever – unless you fix the access permissions to both the Plex data folder and the media files.
Running as admin was not my first choice. It was just a hunch However, doing that solved another recent issue with Plex cataloging but not able to “play” a TV series. I would LOVE to fix it so I don’t need to run Plex as admin. I’m an IT guy so I know how to change security but a lazy admin that appreciates good tools.
Edit: I would love to know what changed to prevent Plex from scanning as my normal user. The access permissions are being updated while I’m typing this. It’s been running for a while. (Plex is shut down as you advised.)
