[Solved] Hidden episode in TV series

[lasvegas_1]

Server Version#: 4.158.0

I have the entire series of Mad About You. For some reason, Plex refuses to make Season 4, Episode 18 available for viewing. I have tried 2 different copies from different sources and that one episode will not appear in the season’s listing.

Solution: After using Plex for near 20 years I just discovered a ‘feature’! It seems that if the word sample is the last word in an episode filename, it doesn’t get listed! Removing the episode title “The Sample” from the filename resolved the issue.

[pshanew]

First step, show your file/folder organization and naming.

Second step, what is your Episode ordering set to for both your library and the show itself?

[napolij]

Perhaps permissions are not correct for that one episode?

I made a test folder for this show and S04E18 is showing up and matching fine with both TMDB & TVDB episode ordering.

[SE56]

Can you take a screenshot of how Mad about you is formatted in your storage Volume?

[lasvegas_1]

[lasvegas_1]

There’s nothing wrong with permissions. I tried two different copies, one in .ts and the other in .mkv. Neither appear in the listing.

[napolij]

Well, son of a gun, I did not know that either. I had just created a file named s04e18.mp4, so of course it was matched.
Here’s a support article that talks about it.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201381883-special-keyword-file-folder-exclusion/

[BanzaiInstitute]

Tip!: In most cases, your Plex Media Server will exclude files with sample in the filename.

Wow, that is a well-hidden land mine. I see the utility of sample files but… Maybe they should pick a different keyword.

[SE56]

Glad it has been sorted The Sample is a definite Flag.