# Refresh Metadata by Folder?

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/refresh-metadata-by-folder/930874>\
**Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\
**Tags:** server-linux\
**Created:** [September 13, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/refresh-metadata-by-folder/930874 "2025-09-13T14:03:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 16

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**Author:** ![nibbles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/nibbles/32/150497_2.png) [@nibbles](https://forums.plex.tv/u/nibbles)\
**Post date:** [September 28, 2025, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/refresh-metadata-by-folder/930874/16 "2025-09-28T16:34:33Z")

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> [@Sheepy\_Desktop](#):
>
> I believe you will have to do the ‘[plex dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064)’ to completely remove all traces of that video file and .srt first. Then, put back the video file only, no .srt, and do a refresh/metadata refresh. Confirm Plex has no reference to any .srt. NOW put the .srt back (and ensure no automatic refresh/metadata refresh will run), and play the media, I don’t believe it will know anything about the .srt. file now.

> [@Sheepy\_Desktop](#):
>
> our directory doesn’t follow plex convention,

> [@OttoKerner](#):
>
> This can be the very reason why external subtitles don’t get picked up or refreshed.

After a careful [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064) as you described, and following 99% of what you say to do, I get the same result. The SRT is automatically added, appearing on the Pre-play screen, is automatically chosen and gets played with the movie in Plex for Mac. I’m very careful to follow the Plex naming conventions and to use the Plex Movie agent and Plex Movie scanner.

_The 1% anomaly_: maybe just how you phrased it, but below is not the normal procedure:

> [@Sheepy\_Desktop](#):
>
> Then, put back the video file only, no .srt, and do a refresh/metadata refresh.

When you add a new video, you **Scan Library Files** which causes a metadata refresh on the new item. I’ve never heard of adding something and doing a **Refresh Metadata** only. Very happy you mentioned your [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064), though. I forgot to try that 🙂

 ![Screenshot 2025-09-28 at 9.08.56 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/2/2/e/22e91cbff23448e0917dfff591463f796a2967c7.png)

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