# Plex scan won't remove deleted item from Library (multiple path sources Library) **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-docker\ **Created:** [August 24, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-scan-wont-remove-deleted-item-from-library-multiple-path-sources-library/626634 "2020-08-24T00:37:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robsonjrce](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/robsonjrce/32/167134_2.png) [@robsonjrce](https://forums.plex.tv/u/robsonjrce)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 12:37am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-scan-wont-remove-deleted-item-from-library-multiple-path-sources-library/626634/1 "2020-08-24T00:37:50Z")
Server Version#: 1.19.5.3112 Player Version#: 4.40.1 Hi, after scanning a Library, Plex scan won’t remove deleted files from Library leaving unwanted results as follows: ![Screenshot from 2020-08-23 21-23-33](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/3/f/3f268657ef15d960f9c38232a898bcb9a7108a1b.png) I have a series Library that will have all the seasons for this one show. So, as it is HEVC encoded and it is incompatible with most of my devices, i will **manually (using handbrake)** encode it overnight so it wont transcode when someone plays it. For this Library i will have two paths: ![Screenshot from 2020-08-23 21-29-54](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/3/a/3ad2f2a05a116ed58274a6eb5cd439fe724e8350.png) So, the original file is kept on data-library/shows and the compatible encode is stored on the optimized folder. After a scan they will match and show both versions of each episode. The problem happens when removing the encoded version from the optimized folder. I will remove it (keeping the original), but still after a Library Scan and Empty Trash it will keep showing missing media as: ![Screenshot from 2020-08-23 21-23-33](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/3/f/3f268657ef15d960f9c38232a898bcb9a7108a1b.png) It will only fix when i remove the folder from the Library and add it again. But i don’t think this is a feasible solution. Any thoughts on this? Thank You ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 4:54am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-scan-wont-remove-deleted-item-from-library-multiple-path-sources-library/626634/2 "2020-08-24T04:54:30Z")
Is the “original” folder completely empty after you remove the un-optimized file? If it is, you are looking at a safety feature of Plex, which prevents you from losing large parts of your library when a drive is temporarily inaccessible. Put a small .txt file into the “original” folder and keep it there at all times. ---
**Author:** ![robsonjrce](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/robsonjrce/32/167134_2.png) [@robsonjrce](https://forums.plex.tv/u/robsonjrce)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2020, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-scan-wont-remove-deleted-item-from-library-multiple-path-sources-library/626634/3 "2020-08-24T06:47:22Z")
I have just put it to the test and that was the case you’ve mentioned. The “original” was always untouched, i was manipulating the “optimized” folder and indeed after putting the txt file on the root of the show’s directory on the optimized folder the Plex Scan successfully removed those entries from the Library. Thank you. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2020, 6:47am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-scan-wont-remove-deleted-item-from-library-multiple-path-sources-library/626634/4 "2020-11-22T06:47:24Z")
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