Plex server thinks there are two copies of a show when there is only one

[jclemons7]

I have the same issue… I definitely don’t want to delete / re-add all my stuff

[remiego]

I’m getting this with new movies now, any comments from Devs on this?

[ChuckPa]

There is only one solution I can think of with your database in the state its in.

1. Export all your current viewstate information from the database and keep that safe
2. Erase the Library directory and start fresh
3. After all matching has completed, reload your viewstate
4. If you need to keep the machine ID information (used to share your server with others). You’ll also want to copy the Preferences.xml file

If this is an option, with PMS stopped:

1. Export the view state information (see the bottom ‘source’ system)
   https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201154527-Move-Viewstate-Ratings-from-One-Install-to-Another
2. Stop PMS
3. Copy the Preferences.xml file from /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server to some place safe
4. sudo rm -rf /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library (this will take a while and the HD will be busy)
5. Start PMS
6. Recreate your library sections and preferences as before
7. When all libaries recreated and metadata back, Stop PMS
8. Import your viewstate information back in. (part 2 of the procedure linked above)
9. Copy your saved Preferences.xml back and overwrite the transient one it created
10. Start PMS
11. You should be fully back to normal without duplicates. If you do have them now, you have a hardlink / symlink somewhere on your machine

[cgittens69]

I’m getting this now if I replace a file, so I will delete the old file and bring in the new file before the library updated. Scan Library, optimise DB and empty Trash and nothing works.

[ChuckPa]

The other way to do this is the Plex Dance.

1. Delete the old
2. Update / Empty Trash / Clean bundles
3. Insert new
4. Update

You will lose the watched status. but the previous entry will be gone.

[Tysl332]

I had the same issue with two episodes I just went to directory moved or deleted them refreshed plex server until it read the eps no long in their then transferred them back in and refreshed iit didn’t see it as 2 fils anymore

[adampk17]

Has there been a “fix” for this issue in the code? Seems like everyone acknowledged the issue exists but there hasn’t been a code fix.

[rmeaux]

I have the same issue, just dropping in to see if there is an easier fix now and to share my two cents.

I believe I only get this problem when this order happens:
1)A new episode is available
2)The 720p version drops and Sonarr gets it
3)The 1080p version drops a few minutes later and Sonarr updates it to that.
4)The 720p version is deleted as it should be but Plex freaks out and stays showing both files but using the same filename as the 1080p copy.

Don’t know. Watching to see what is happening.