# Unable to replace a file

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/unable-to-replace-a-file/936622>\
**Category:** Metadata & Adding Files\
**Tags:** server-mac\
**Created:** [February 23, 2026, 10:20am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/unable-to-replace-a-file/936622 "2026-02-23T10:20:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dmoor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6f9a4e/32.png) [@dmoor](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dmoor)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 10:20am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/unable-to-replace-a-file/936622/1 "2026-02-23T10:20:17Z")

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Server Version#:1.43.0.10492  
Player Version#:  
Mac Studio 26.3

So I have a new version of a file with a “v2” added to the name.

1. Added it to the folder and did a library scan. Plex didn’t see it.
2. Removed the old version and did a library scan. Plex didn’t see it and still sees the old version tagged with “unavailable”.
3. Moved new version away from scanned libraries. Emptied library trash, Cleaned bundles. Old version still comes up in search with “unavailable” even though neither the old or new file is in the library folder

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**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2026, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/unable-to-replace-a-file/936622/2 "2026-02-23T10:30:41Z")

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> [@dmoor](#):
>
> Plex didn’t see it.

How do you come to the conclusion?  
Were you expecting to see an additional thumbnail?  
That will not happen if the modified file is matched to the same metadata item.

Have you taken a look at the [Plex media info](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201998867-Investigate-Media-Information-and-Formats) of the original thumbnail item?  
Does it show 2 file paths at the top, instead of just one?

Is the modified file an actual library item, or is it a [local extra](https://support.plex.tv/articles/local-files-for-trailers-and-extras/)?

When you edit the Plex library, go to the “Add Folders” tab. How many folder paths are listed there? If more than one, are _all_ of them

- still existent
- accessible to Plex server at the time when the library scan is performed
- not completely empty

?

Are your media files stored directly on the Mac, or are they on a NAS device?

What type of library is this? i.e. which metadata agent has been selected in its properties?

Did you remove the unmodified media file first, then added the modified one? Or did you just add the modified file?

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2026, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/unable-to-replace-a-file/936622/3 "2026-05-24T10:30:47Z")

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