Stop / Block Library Scanning for Data Recovery

[eliminatrix]

Server Version#: Latest version (I’ll explain)
Player Version#: Latest version
My plex server is based on Unraid. Over the weekend I had a really, really bad stroke of luck - I lost my TWO parity drives AND a 10TB drive from the array.
Because I’m waiting to setup and install replacement parity drives and potentially do paid professional data recovery on the 10TB drive, I haven’t spun up my server yet. That’s why I’m not 100% sure what version of Plex it’s running but it should be the latest.
My question is this: I’ve got backups of my Plex appdata, how does Plex display content that’s missing? I’m trying to work out what I’ve actually lost. So yeah, I’m wondering if there’s an easy way Plex can show or tell me what’s missing from my various libraries. When I asked that question in one of the Plex Facebook groups, someone replied saying that as soon as I spin the server up and Plex starts running, the scanner will automatically run and just delete / remove what’s missing.
So is there a way to stop or block that scanner from running?

Thanks!

[ChuckPa]

It all depends on your library settings.

This is how most have it: (Settings - Server - Library - Show Advanced)

When you get into the server

1. Immediately go here and uncheck these boxes
2. SAVE the changes.
3. You need to get in before the scanner empties the trash that first time.
4. After you do so, anything the scanner finds as missing will be “Unavailable” and have a red trash can over it.

When data is restored, “Scan Files” will mark it available again

[eliminatrix]

Is there a way to edit or change these settings in any of the config files? That way, I can start the Plex Docker with the required settings already enabled / disabled

[OttoKerner]

https://support.plex.tv/articles/201105343-advanced-hidden-server-settings/

autoEmptyTrash
FSEventLibraryUpdatesEnabled
ScheduledLibraryUpdatesEnabled

Disable all of them.