PLEX... metadata and scanning issues (Please read and judge softly - I mean NO disrespect!)

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

Server Version#: 1.32.1.6999
Player Version#: 4.100.1
Okay,

I NEVER complain. I may go off half cocked sometimes, but… I LOVE PLEX!!!

My ‘minor’ issues’ tho are that the metadata posters and ‘auto-scan folder changes’ lately have been… well… CRAP!

I have been running my system ( a Windows box w a Synology NAS) for YEARS!!! and it has always worked great, so…

WHAT CHANGED?!?!?!?!?

My posters are constantly going blank (like EVERY WEEK!!!), and the “Run a partial scan when changes are detected” is taking up to/over 30mins, and I have NEVER had the “Scan my library periodically” checked… OR set… EVER!!! (it’s always been within 1 min)

I’m NOT complaining. I spent the $$ to get the Lifetime pass, and I know tech can be a b#### sometimes… but…

I haven’t changed ANYTHING… not ONE setting… in over FIVE (5) years!!!

If you would please look into these issues (altho VERY small, but trying), I would be very grateful.

Your ALWAYS loyal Plex advocate (and I’ve tested many).

Cheers

(I DO apologize if I’m crazy and just being an asshole)

2

If you’re crazy,

You’re among friends

:rofl:

There was a regression in one of our major libraries.
That regression had a huge impact on just about everything.

Since the regression (build 7002), everyone’s been busting hump to resolve it.

It appears :crossed_fingers: that build 1.32.2.7100 (the updated PlexPass release as of today) has solved it.

It took us a lot of server builds to get it right and we think we’re back to where we were.

The jury is still out but initial reports are that we’re back to normal.

1 Like
3

Hey ChuckPa,

It’s totally ok - I’m SURE I’m just being an asshole LOL

I’m just cranky cuz I keep having to restart my Plex service every few days to reset the posters (I can deal with the “partial scan w folder change” every 30mins).

Just to add details (and I’m def an ID10T for not doing this before) but I have (and have had) the PmsService via Git Hub installed to run it in the background, so not sure if that’s a no-no, but again, I’ve never had an issue before (like seriously - 5yrs), so I’m just whining ;-).

Thanks you all TONS for everything you do, I’m sure you’re on, over, around, in it.

Was SO awesome hear from you :slight_smile:

Cheers and all my best to Plex

4

Sounds like you need a few tweaks:

  1. My DBRepair tool to fully optimize the DB (Plex can’t do that while running.

If this is Windows – I cannot help you. I don’t use Windows. Best I do is wash or break them.

Synology is Linux and I know Linux.
If the Server is on Synology, I can help with the Library scanning.

If the server is on Windows , again – I can’t help other than the DB optimize.

  1. WInDBRepair.bat is a preprogrammed sequence.
    – Stop Plex
    – Run the sequence with appropriate privileges
    – Start Plex
    – You get what you get.

  2. The equivalent of this is the “Auto” mode I have on the Linux side (Synology included)

In the past few weeks, I’ve seen a lot of people having trouble with 3rd party stuff.
(one user lost his whole database – years worth).

Caution is urged.

5

Well Sh!# brah,

Your the guru I’ve needed to chat with (sorry if I’m taking up more valuable time)…

OK, so as it is, I’m a nerd, so I totally get your lingo with Windows over Linux. I started with a Linux box (Linux Mint laptop) to run Plex, but I got a free wicked Dell thin client (yes free) Win box about 2 yrs ago, so I said “WTF!?, let’s try it out”, and lo and behold… it worked, AND… I could install the ‘PmsService’ on it (dude, as I said, I’m a fk’n NERD, I LOVE weird sh#$).

NE way, it worked like stink, so I ‘let go’ of my Linux nerd tenancies and just let it run… and it’s never failed… for 5yrs!

Here’s my pitch… if U want me to try/change/test sh$T, I 'm totally willing. Just that my FAV sis and niece LOVE Plex, so ALA I don’t mess them up… I’m good.

I’ll DL wtvr and try wut U like, so go for it :slight_smile:

Cheers

6

based on your OP, the big problem was the scanner and metadata.

That should be all fixed now with 1.32.2.7100 (rebuild)

Get that installed.

I’d next download and run my BAT file on windows.

It’ll put the DB in the best shape it can be in (performance wise) and check for major errors.

After that, Scan all files and force Fresh All Metadata to have the scanner & agents backfill whatever went sideways.

You should find it getting itself pulled back together rather smartly.
(unless the DB got damaged too badly and we need use a backup)

7

You know… you really should have started with, “These are the droids you’re looking for!!!” LOL

Dude - you need to take some credit for what you do. I’ve been a nerd for over 30 yrs and you talk the talk, so here we go…

‘Droids you’re looking for these are!’

Give me a bit to do what you’ve said. Will update ASA I run some dev results.

Stand by…

8

I will thank you to leave my Droids alone

:stuck_out_tongue:

lol

(I’ve been an engineer since the days of the IMSAI 8080 and RCA COSMAC 1802)

9

Ok,

I’ve completed the 1st step (install Beta 1.32.2.7100 vers.), so with the 2nd step (and just so I have it right) I’ve copied your ‘DBRepair-Windows.bat’ file and I’m getting ready to run it, but…

Just so I cover my ass :wink:, you mentioned ‘Caution urged’, so what would be the downfall/side if I run this on my Windows box that’s connected to my Synology NAS where all my files/folders are (or do I just run it and it optimizes)?

You also mentioned “one user lost his whole database”, so AFA a backup plan goes, so I don’t really have another NAS to park all my stuff on as a JIC, so if you have any thoughts/options, I’ll def follow it :smiley:

10

Let’s clarify this please?

  1. Only your media is stored on the NAS?
    -or-
  2. Your Plex metadata is stored on the NAS with the media ?

The tool only works with (reorganizes) the database
It doesn’t change any of the internal data.

11

It’s #1.

Plex is installed and running on the Windows box and the files/folders are all sitting on the NAS (I have the ‘media’ folder on the NAS connected as a shared drive on the Win box), so the metadata is here on Windows:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server

12

excellent. As it should be.

Good to go.

  1. stop plex.
  2. not sure if user or admin priv required but run the bat script
  3. Start plex

(i didn’t do anything special when i wrote it… so :man_shrugging: )

13

Sounds good,

Although wouldn’t you know it, now my sis-in-law, and niece are both watching movies (lol)

I’ll run it ASA they’re off and let you know what happen (altho maybe just upgrading Plex to the new Beta vers may have done the trick)

Reply soon (and thanks my friend - owe you a beer)

14

when does build 1.32.2.7100 will release to None-PlexPass members? (for WIN OS )

THX

15

Baring any issues, PlexPass releases usually are released to public two weeks after PlexPass release.

1 Like
16

Okay,

So shut down Plex service and ran your .bat tool. The window for it only opened for about a second and closed again, so is that it, or does it need a specific amount of time before I fire it all back up* (or does it run in the background)?

*You did say just run it and restart service, so was guessing that’s all there is to it.

BTW, as I only did the beta update yest, I still had issues with posters going blank, so hopefully your DBRepair will correct that.

17

If you have customized the location of your Plex data folder, you need to open the .bat file in a text editor and put the custom location into there.

18

Ah,

So just to update my setup then for anyone else that may want to use this .bat file…

I only installed Plex with ALL defaults on Windows (so I didn’t make any special changes when I installed), here’s what’s listed on lines 24 thru-to 27 in the initial DBRepair tool .bat file…

set “PlexData=%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server\Plug-in Support\Databases”
set “PlexSQL=%PROGRAMFILES%\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex SQLite”
set “DBtmp=%PlexData%\dbtmp”
set “TmpFile=%DBtmp%\results.tmp”

…and here are the locations with my default install that I changed/edited in lines 24-26 (I did a full search before and after, and the ‘results.tmp’ file in line 27 doesn’t exist anywhere in Win 11, so unless someone knows where this file is located, I just left it as is)…

set “PlexData=%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server\Plug-in Support\Databases”
set “PlexSQL=%PROGRAMFILES(x86)%\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex SQLite”
set “DBtmp=%LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server\Plug-in Support\Databases\dbtmp”
set “TmpFile=%DBtmp%\results.tmp”

I’ve rerun the edited .bat file (I always fig it’s def a good idea to run something like this with Admin privileges :wink:) and this time I did see outputs in the cmd window. It ran for about a minute, then auto-closed (which I’m guessing it’s designed to do once completed), so will see what that does. :smiley: :upside_down_face:

P.S. I initially installed Plex with/on Win 10 when it first came out, so I’ve just upgraded as Windows pushed out/up to current Win 11

19

(sigh) just to let you know…

This has also happened more than a few times in the past weeks where I fire up Plex and it just comes up as the ‘basic free’ version of Plex (i.e. as if my server doesn’t exist and I have just signed up for the 1st time with whatever ‘Free Plex’ has to offer).

I check my server and it IS online, with ALL services running, but my server is NOT there AFA Plex is concerned, so not sure if this is a ‘known’ issue, but as I said, this is not the 1st time in the past few weeks this has happened.

(…and I’m completely at your disposal to test the sh#! out of anything you want :wink: :upside_down_face: - I have multiple laptops and/or PC’s to install Linux or Windows to beat the hell out of whatever you like :grin:, so just let me know)

P.S. It’s prob my dogs fault, he thought one of the droids was a fire hydrant and peed on it :rofl: :rofl:

20

Just a qwik update…

I think the metadata scanning issue is resolved (I’m guessing this is prob thru the DBRepair tool, as I prob needed it :wink: :wink:, so thanks for that ChuckPa :grin:).

My main issue with it was if I added to an existing folder (like if I add a new episode to a show) it would take up to 30mins to cycle, but now it seems to be back to cycling almost immediately.

I haven’t had an issue wit the posters blanking out, or my server being ‘lost’, but it’s only been a couple days, so will update again in about a wk or so (or if either issue hits again)

Thanks all :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: