Plex stuck on scanning Library

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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1

Server Version#: 1.15.6.1079
Player Version#: web

Hi Guys,

For a while now i have noticed my Plex server is constantly updating Library with the spinning wheel.

it seems to always be stuck on the Movies Library.

if i add a new item to a new library then i have to cancel update on the Movies to get it to detect new changes.

Does anyone know where i should look to see whats causing this?

Thanks

2

i’m having the same issue but my instance eventually crashes

3

One bad file can do this.
You need to do a new scan(update all libraries) and look at the logs to find the culprit. Upload them here if need be.
Settings → Troubleshooting > DOWNLOAD LOGS.
You can drag the zip into the reply window and one of us can take a look too.

4

Oh okay .

Please see attached

ive noticed it in both Movies and Tv Series
Plex Media Server Logs_2019-06-11_03-11-39.zip (3.2 MB)

5

Why is plex scanning your metadata folder?

Jun 11, 2019 02:56:44.341 [7664] DEBUG -     * Scanning directory T:\Tv series\Plex Media Server\Media\localhost\2\0445f0347a1a547d584b5979738ab4f811db6a9.bundle\Contents\Thumbnails (parent: yes)

No wonder why this is taking a long time. There might be(and probably is) millions of files in those directories and the issue only gets worse when new metadata is added. It’s a never-ending perpetual scan.

What are your library paths?

6

Hi,

Thanks for your reply!

It certainly used to get stuck on TV series. but now Movies seems to take over.

I have 3 Libraries

Anime - https://gyazo.com/7063a4eb087a5a6f42b52dc96bb461df
Movies - https://gyazo.com/3492f7b5a1eeaa0b9f5c1c27ec301523
TV Shows - https://gyazo.com/f06cfe8d861e67afa68390eb4468fabc

They are all Direct storage apart from movies which is mapped from my NAS.

The directory in the Debug doesn’t exist in Tv series folder? " T:\Tv series\Plex Media Server"
https://gyazo.com/1b8a1ac4d7255bb0067ff0a6bf6ab569

7

Plex seems to think so. It’s scanning it.

Okay, there seems to be alot going on in your logs.

Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.951 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\Exposed.2016.LIMITED.1080p.BluRay.x264-AN0NYM0US\ams-exposed-1080p.r00"
...
Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.976 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\Exposed.2016.LIMITED.1080p.BluRay.x264-AN0NYM0US\ams-exposed-1080p.rar"

Are you using plex as a download directory? This WILL cause issues with constant scanning because plex detects changes(every chunk from your download manager).

Jun 11, 2019 03:11:25.922 [8048] DEBUG -     * Scanning directory M:\plex copy\Plex Media Server\Plug-ins\Services.bundle\Contents\Service Sets (parent: yes)

Again, why is Plex scanning a metadata folder?
You have hundreds of these across your logs.
There are many issues that need addressed here.

It’s not a good idea to make the ROOT drive your Plex ROOT folder(M:)
The reason for this is because many other programs may add stuff here.
An example of this is…

Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.708 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\com.plexapp.agents.hama.log"
Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.709 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\com.plexapp.system.log"

and

Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.772 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\_root_.agent.log"
Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.772 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\_root_.scanner.log"
Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.772 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\_root_A -Anime.filelist.log"
Jun 11, 2019 03:11:24.772 [8048] DEBUG - Adding file for scanner: "M:\_root_A -Anime.scanner.log"

I hate to say it but your entire library(all of them) needs a gigantic overhaul.
Start with folder structure. First with movies, then tvshows.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/categories/your-media/
This will be a colossal PITA but it must be done for a blissful plex experience.

1 Like
8

Hi,

No i am not using Plex as a download directory. Exposed (2016) was a new transfer i added from my Seedbox.

The M drive is just a mapping to my NAS Movies folder

The Actual Plex instance is installed in App Data like normal.

C:\Users\Media\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server

I am thinking perhaps something has gone wrong during installation of a 3rd party scanner called Hama Bundle.

So you think my best option is a complete re-install? :frowning:

9

Still. Not good. Plex sees all those RAR files and will always scan them. Those files should not be exposed to Plex. UnRAR them and add your movie and delete the RARs. And that was only one RAR set. I saw dozens in the logs. That will weigh down on plex.

Something massive happened.

I understand but make a folder within the Mdrive… Call it MOVIES if you will…
I say this for many reasons but the first that comes to mind is your “plex copy” folder on Mdrive. Plex is scanning that too!! Essentially, Plex is scanning that entire drive! The entire drive, every/all folders, every/all files! That means you got to be real careful what “other” stuff you add to it. If the whole drive is gonna be dedicated for movies then only add movies to it.(or make a movies directory)

Honestly, yes. I do. But first follow the link above to improve your folder structure. Yours is not so great right now and may give you problems even after a re-install.
The “extra” files(rar’s, logs, sfv, all the random folders and files) all over need to be cleaned up.

10

Thanks for your help!

i think i have gotten to the bottom of it.

i had a backup/copy of my PMS App data folder sitting in the M drive in the movies folder which is what the Library is mapped too. So poor Plex was scanning 100k+ files unnecessarily…

I have removed that folder and will now monitor to see how Plex goes.

i also had 3 different movies which had old .rar files which i removed :slight_smile:
I tend to Copy them to my Library drive then extract since i cant do it on my Seedbox.

Edit.
I had 2 Plex copies.
1 was in Tv series Library which had 105k files at 5.5Gb.
2nd was in movies Library which so far is up to 35GB and 200k files and counting…

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