Searching does not show anything on my server

[seefilms]

Using plex.tv on my Mac. Whenever I use the search bar at the top it shows me absolutely NOTHING in my actual server.
For instance, I type Destry Rides Again.
It shows me: Destry, Zorro Rides Again, Tough Rides, China Season 1, Harlem Rides the Range… etc.
None of those are on my server. The media libraries selected? Only mine. The search bar says it’s searching “all”.
My choices don’t even show anything on my server just: movies and tv, music, live tv and people.

I’m very confused. It’s been doing this for a long time. I totally don’t get it. And I can’t find anything about it.

Please help.

[Divideby0]

That’s odd. It’s particularly odd that a movie you HAVE isn’t showing up in the search results. For me, the search results for “destry rides again” are similar, but the first result is that 1939 movie (I don’t own it).

Is this checked, for you?

You may need to click in the text field first to have that button show up. Then, let me know if your server is on that list, and if it is checked.

[seefilms]

Yeah. My server is checked there as well.
I have the ‘more ways to watch’ unchecked in the hopes that it won’t show me all the other crap.

And all my movies are there if I navigate to them… but search is broken.

[JaysPlex]

If you go into the settings –> Online Media Sources

You can disable what you don’t want there and it won’t show up in the search

Just unchecking the option in the search box doesn’t seem to honor the request properly if you don’t

[OttoKerner]

@JaysPlex

Just unchecking the option in the search box doesn’t seem to honor the request properly if you don’t

If you only disable it for managed users like in the screen shot, then it won’t be disabled for you as the server admin.

[seefilms]

Thanks for the responses. And sure, I did that. But I still can’t search what I actually have on my server. Let’s see if I can show you.

This shows that I have the movie: Destry Rides Again (fyi, it doesn’t work for ANY of my movies).

This shows I’ve disabled pretty much everything but what’s on my server and live tv.

Got my server ready for searching.

But Nothing shows up.

Nada.

Thoughts?

[seefilms]

As an added bonus. It doesn’t seem to work with almost anything. ALMOST.
For some bananas reason, I can get it to find music by U2.

So far, I can’t get it to find anything else. But maybe that gives some clue?

[Divideby0]

Alright. If it’s checked in that menu that is good to know. (a menu I find so obscure I hoped it was the problem, so the solution would be easy)

The only other thing I can think of that will cause search to not find your content is a setting on each individual library. On any library, click the triple dot, click Manage Library > Edit… > Advanced.

See if you have the above drop down selected on the first option that you see highlighted in my pic. If you have the bottom-most option enabled, then the library’s contents will be hidden from search results.

It seems strange to me that EVERY library you have is set to that now, since it is not the default option, but it’s all I can think of at this point.

[seefilms]

Yep. They were all set properly. That said. I changed them. Then changed them back. Restarted the server. Nothing seems to work. I’m wondering if like, because something like U2 comes up if there isn’t something wrong with my database?

[JaysPlex]

Are you using Plex for iOS or a browser? Have you tried a different browser?

I had an issue where my collections tab seemed to get stuck.
There was no difference between the collections tab and the library tab
You fixed that by going to the server settings–> debug–>restore defaults

That seemed to snap the UI back into shape and everything worked again

I know this is a totally different issue so I’m thinking it probably won’t do anything, but if you think a 1% chance is better than 0% chance it’s worth a try? Idk
I know Otto’s going to read this and think, “you idiot that’s not gonna work” but I’m out of ideas lol

Btw, the warning message you see under the “restore defaults” tab sounds a bit ominous but all I had to do was repin my libraries on the home screen

I’ve seen old posts where people fixed similar issues by upgrading or downgrading their server version. Sounds like this may be a long term issue on several different versions?

There is another thread going on right now where people are getting this

I know this also is different than what you’re experiencing, but it is another bug with the search bar

And yes, it wouldn’t hurt to post your logs and server version

[OttoKerner]

A failing local search can also mean a defective or missing index table in the database.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/repair-a-corrupted-database/

[seefilms]

Plex Media Server Logs_2022-10-06_13-22-28.zip (2.0 MB)
So. Okay. here are my logs.
Plex Web Version 4.92.0
Server: Version 1.29.1.6276
Also, the search function is broke on two different Mac computer’s web browsers (Safari and Chrome). On an Apple TV 4K and on iOS.

So, it doesn’t seem like it’s that.

I can still play whatever… but not having search blows.

Thanks for the help so far and any that comes after.

[JaysPlex]

Your database is corrupt

https://support.plex.tv/articles/repair-a-corrupted-database/

https://support.plex.tv/articles/202485658-restore-a-database-backed-up-via-scheduled-tasks/

[seefilms]

Thanks. I appreciate it!!!