# Server showing duplicate files **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [July 10, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411 "2020-07-10T17:34:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![viceman256](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7c8e57/32.png) [@viceman256](https://forums.plex.tv/u/viceman256)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/1 "2020-07-10T17:34:53Z")
Server Version#: Version 1.13.0.1275-bbd8d37b I have had an issue on/off since the beginning of this year where my Plex shows two of the same episode/file. If I go to get info, it is the same file, listed twice, and I confirm there is only one file in the directory. I have collections disabled and this happens with both TV shows and movies. ![plex2](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/4/d/4d8ea69434b8742714cda61542f3a1b7257c1a74.jpeg) ![plex1](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/e/2ebf9c4f038363e9f615f14c812d7e1d9c52e123.jpeg) ![plex3](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/b/d/bd54a8c76ac85374786cf81767e86beb7bc56c4b.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 6:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/2 "2020-07-10T18:25:22Z")
This comes up occasionally and seems to be the result of simultaneous scans for new items. > [@Fake duplicate files](https://forums.plex.tv/t/fake-duplicate-files/583243): > > Server Version#: 1.19.2.2737 Player Version#: 1.9.0.1203-00f2b4d9 I use an application (Sonarr) that automatically uploads my series to my hard drive and sends a message to plex when new media is available. The problem with that is that when I enable Scan my library automatically, plex will sometimes detect a change in my library and sometimes not. That’s why I enabled an option in Sonarr that sends messages to the server and informs him of new files on my hard drive. This can lead to fake dup… > [@Duplicate files found by scanner, but only one file](https://forums.plex.tv/t/duplicate-files-found-by-scanner-but-only-one-file/604326): > > Server Version#:1.19.4.2935 I know this has been an issue in previous builds but since updating to the latest beta, I’ve had issue with the scanner detecting 2 files with the same name and creating duplicates even though the naming is identical as shown in the pictures. I’ve looked at all my settings and nothing has changed but recently updating the software. The only way I’ve been able to correct it is doing the good ole Plex Dance but that takes time when almos… > [@Plex sees duplicate Music tracks when only one source file exists](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-sees-duplicate-music-tracks-when-only-one-source-file-exists/587139): > > Server Version#: Version 1.19.3.2764 Player Version#: Web 4.33.1 (but also experienced on Android) (If I can pull any logs to assist with diagnosing this, please point me to a guide that explains how to get them, thanks.) Issue: Sometimes I have music tracks that Plex sees duplicates of, and other tracks are just fine. I’ll include some pictures for reference. The tracks that Plex duplicates link together extending the track length and repeating the track for each number of duplicates t… Possibly this is due to automatic scans being enabled for the library when new items are added and external scans being initiated by some other tool. You may be able to correct the problem using the [Plex Dance](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064). Also, going forward, you may want to ensure that library scans are only initiated from one source. ---
**Author:** ![viceman256](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7c8e57/32.png) [@viceman256](https://forums.plex.tv/u/viceman256)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/3 "2020-07-10T18:57:26Z")
Do you know if there are any plans to resolve this issue? Such as when the server does it’s maintenance or library scans, it rescans the directory for the files? ---
**Author:** ![pshanew](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/pshanew/32/160555_2.png) [@pshanew](https://forums.plex.tv/u/pshanew)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/4 "2020-07-10T19:03:28Z")
> [@viceman256](#): > > Do you know if there are any plans to resolve this issue? I do not. Your best bet is probably to try to take steps to ensure that it doesn’t happen to begin with, i.e. make sure that only one process kicks off a scan when media is added. ---
**Author:** ![viceman256](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7c8e57/32.png) [@viceman256](https://forums.plex.tv/u/viceman256)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/5 "2020-07-10T19:17:25Z")
Yeah I have nothing else scanning the library. Bummer, thanks for the information though. ---
**Author:** ![viceman256](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7c8e57/32.png) [@viceman256](https://forums.plex.tv/u/viceman256)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:35pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/6 "2020-09-01T23:35:41Z")
Hello, I’m just following up on this, can anyone assist? I have all applications that scan the library disabled, but still getting tons and tons of false duplicates. ---
**Author:** ![viceman256](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/7c8e57/32.png) [@viceman256](https://forums.plex.tv/u/viceman256)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2020, 11:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/7 "2020-10-08T23:56:11Z")
Checking in again ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/server-showing-duplicate-files/612411/8 "2021-01-06T23:56:20Z")
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