Server Version#:1.15.6.1079-78232c603
Client Versions: various (Xbox one, Fire TV mainly) - latest version on both
I run my server on my PC, and my media folder just randomly dissapeared. I changed my windows password a few weeks ago but it was perfectly fine for a while after that - then all of a sudden I noticed all of my videos were UNAVAILABLE - thought it was an issue with the server. Did a restart, still the same issue. Then, I went to the actual physical location and noticed the entire folder was just GONE (not in recycle bin, not moved, just gone…)
How can this happen? I’ve read other discussions of people having issues with moving\changing accounts, but the only thing I did was change a password, and it didn’t immediately cause issues.
I’m just concerned that if I rebuild my library it’s going to happen again, so I’m very disappointed in this service - may even stop paying for it (as I love the premium features).
Sorry to hear that your movie folder is gone. There have been claims of Plex removing folders but it has never once been proven to be Plex’s fault. If your folder is gone, very likely something else on your system did it. It is possible for Plex to delete files but Plex won’t remove the main folder that they are in. Have you searched the drive for the movie files themselves to see if they are still there.
Changing your Windows password shouldn’t affect Plex. Was the password you changed for the local Windows account or a Microsoft account. It’s possible to have both of these with the same username so you could accidentally sign into the wrong one.
Was the location of your files on a internal hard drive, an extra one, a networked drive, or on a NAS?
I searched both of my drives, recycle bin, system folders, everywhere, searched for files by type - they just vanished without a trace. I did read a few threads about password\policy changes messing up (drive mappings, etc.) but I didn’t change anything like that.
Files were on a standard internal hard drive. Nothing fancy. I’ve been using the same account. I did change a Microsoft password around the time it happened but I’m pretty sure (not entirely) that the files were all still there afterwards.
Like I said, it is possible PMS could have deleted the movie files, but it can’t delete the parent folder. If that folder is gone, something else is going on. Unfortunately, it’s hard tracking down these things. First I would run a disk health check to make sure the drive isn’t dying.
Yeah I guess, I’ll run some scans. Good point though. Just the strangest thing - it disappearing without a trace. Anyways, thanks for responding, I appreciate it.
This is why I am here and found this post …
You are not alone. I had Sonarr open and was watching 100+ files from a particular tv show disappear in from of my eyes,. I could set the number 99.98.97.96.95 etc.
I then went to my NAS and found 6TB in my Recycle bin. WTF.
THen I went to plex where tv show should have shown 800 was showing 100 and then counting up as i had restored from the recycle bin on the QNAP
Now it could be plex or my NAS or syncfree or windows or a hack…
I am in the process of restoring 28TB back from a Synology NAS to a Qnap so anything is possible!!.
Where does one look for a log that might show what happened ?
Plex deleting a file would be in the PMs log. Did you have your movies in individual folders? Did you notice if the entire folder was removed or just the file? Did you have other files located in these folders? Plex only deletes the movie file and the folder if it is empty, if there were other files, i.e. subtitles, posters, etc., PMS would not remove these and there would still be a folder with these files.
