Tv Shows library no longer detecting changes to folders automatically

[ChuckPa]

Sorry for the delay getting back on this.

1. This error, is concerning. Where is Plex’s metadata stored ?
   – if it’s on a local HDD (USB, etc) Check it for file corruption (fsck)
   – If fsck and SMARTCTL testing reveals nothing
   –OR–
   – it’s remote read further.

Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: Entity: line 1:\00
Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: parser\00
Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: error :\00
Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: Start tag expected, '<' not found\00
Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: Error: boost::filesystem::status: No error information: "/media/TV Shows/The Rea\00
Sep 10, 2022 02:12:40.746 [0x7fc0bbc57b00] ERROR - XML: ^\0

Other, more tangible errors

Sep 10, 2022 13:29:11.506 [0x7fc0b72b0b00] ERROR - IsDirectory failed boost::filesystem::status: No error information: "/media/Music/David Bowie"
Sep 10, 2022 13:29:11.518 [0x7fc0b72b0b00] ERROR - Couldn't check for the existence of file "/media/Music/David Bowie": boost::filesystem::status: No error information: "/media/Music/David Bowie"
Sep 10, 2022 13:29:11.529 [0x7fc0b72b0b00] ERROR - Couldn't get size of file "/media/Music/David Bowie": boost::filesystem::file_size: No error information: "/media/Music/David Bowie"
Sep 10, 2022 13:29:11.530 [0x7fc0b72b0b00] DEBUG - Skipping over directory '', as nothing has changed; removing 0 media items from map.

In most cases, this is a permissions error at a much lower filesystem layer… The number of layers involved can mask the real error.

Example

Docker – Brings ‘Directory’ on local host into the container

‘Directory’ can be seen because its parent directory provides “read”
The contents of ‘Directory’ can’t be seen for a few reasons:

1. Permissions of ‘Directory’ are something silly like 700/711 which mask reading by anyone but the owner

2. ‘Directory’ actually lives out on another device (NAS) and is blocked.
   – This occurs frequently with SMB.
   – (SMB grants your username access to the shared folder but not the “Plex” user

3. The use of /media on any Linux system where Gnome , specifically the file manager Nautilus (and its automounter) are involved

On Ubuntu/Debian systems, automounted directories are placed in /media.
The permissions are set such that ONLY the logged-in user (you) can read them.
Plex cannot, EVEN IF, the file permissions grant it.

This doesn’t occur on Redhat-based systems because the automounter uses /run/media.

I will mention this FAQ as first point of investigation to see if the conditions described here apply.

If they do, recommendation is to implement the changes described.

1. Local HDDs (internal or USB)

Linux Tips

Using other hard drives (Windows or Linux) with PMS This How-To is written to help with Internal and External drives. It also is written to demonstrate how to cope with NTFS and EXT4 formatted drives. By logical extension, any format supported by Linux can be handled using the technique shown here. In all cases, the goal is to give user plex permission to read your media files which Linux doesn’t allow by default due to its strict security model. We will walk through the steps needed …

2. Network shares

Linux Tips

Mounting CIFS + SMB network shares for Plex use The basic checklist Prepare the NAS Create the CIFS/SMB credentials file for use in /etc/fstab Create a ‘mount point’ directory structure on your Linux machine which will be where all your media shares are grafted and made available for Plex use. Create an entry in /etc/fstab for each share you wish to mount. Mount and debug as needed A. Prepare the NAS. This is unique to each NAS. In general, you only need grant read permission. Should …

Linux Tips

Mounting NFS network shares for Plex use The basic checklist Prepare the NAS: Create a ‘mount point’ directory structure on your Linux machine which will be where all your media shares are grafted and made available for Plex use. Create an entry in /etc/fstab for each share you wish to mount. Mount and debug as needed A. Prepare the NAS. This is unique to each NAS. In general, you only need grant read permission. Should you desire Read/Write for yourself, we will allow for it On Lin…

Bottom line? If not permissions then something put the lasagna in the blender and pressed ‘Liquify’