Fix Plex not finding TV shows. Plex not detecting tv shows? plex not showing all episodes?
Here's how to Fix Plex not finding TV shows.
i. If Plex is not showing all episodes of a particular TV show, there are several potential reasons for this issue. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can take to address the problem:
1. **Update Plex Server:**
- Ensure that your Plex Media Server is running the latest version. Updates may include bug fixes and improvements.
2. **Refresh Library:**
- Go to your Plex dashboard and navigate to the specific library containing the TV show.
- Click on the three dots next to the library and select "Refresh."
3. **Check File Naming and Organization:**
- Ensure that the TV show files are named and organized correctly. Plex relies on proper naming and folder structure to identify episodes.
- Use the Plex Naming Convention for TV shows: `TV Show Name/Season XX/TV Show Name - SXXEYY - Episode Title.ext`
4. **Empty Trash and Clean Bundles:**
- In Plex settings, go to "Library" and click on the trash icon to empty the trash.
- Then, click on "Clean Bundles" to remove unnecessary files.
5. **Fix Match or Incorrect Match:**
- If Plex has incorrectly matched episodes, you can manually fix the match by clicking on the "..." next to the show and selecting "Fix Match."
6. **Check Library Filters:**
- Make sure that the library filters are not set to exclude certain episodes. Check the filter options in the library settings.
7. **Reanalyze Metadata:**
- Go to the library settings and click on "Analyze" to reanalyze metadata for the TV show.
8. **Optimize Database:**
- In Plex settings, go to "Optimize Database" and perform an optimization to clean up the database.
9. **Check for Metadata Agents Issues:**
- Verify that your metadata agents are correctly configured. Incorrect agents can lead to misidentification of episodes.
10. **Check Permissions and File Ownership:**
- Ensure that the Plex Media Server has the necessary permissions to access and read the TV show files.
11. **View Logs for Errors:**
- Check the Plex logs for any error messages or issues related to the TV show. This can provide insights into potential problems.
12. **Reboot Plex Server:**
- Sometimes, a simple server reboot can resolve minor issues. Restart your Plex Media Server.
If the issue persists after trying these steps, you may want to visit the Plex support forums or contact Plex support for more specific assistance. Additionally, ensure that your TV show files are not corrupted and are compatible with Plex.
ii. Here are some things you can try if your Plex libraries are not showing up:
1. Check the Library Paths
- Log into Plex web interface and go to Settings - Manage - Libraries
- Verify the folder paths are correct for all your media libraries
- Update to the correct locations if incorrectly set
2. Refresh and Update Libraries
- Try refreshing your libraries in Plex by going to the 3-dot menu - Refresh
- Also select "Update Library" to scan your folder paths again
3. Check Permissions and Sharing Settings
- Make sure the Plex app has permission to access and read your media folders
- If files are on a NAS, verify folders are shared properly
4. Scan and Clean Bundles
- Try tools like Scan Library Files and Clean Bundles to fix matching issues
5. Restart Plex Media Server
- Stop and restart the Plex Media Server service/process
- Also restart the Plex app and devices accessing the libraries
6. Check for Server Errors
- Access Plex Media Server logs to check for specific errors
- Google any error codes to troubleshoot further
iii. Here are some tips for renaming and organizing your TV show files and folders to work better with Plex:
Folder Structure:
- Create a parent TV Shows folder
- Then make a folder for each TV show
- Inside each show folder, make season folders like "Season 01"
- Put video files inside the season folders
File Naming:
- Name files like "Show Name - S01E05 - Episode Name.mkv"
- Start with show name, then season number, episode number and episode name
- Valid separators between those parts are - _ . or a space
Organization:
- For multi-part episodes, name files as S01E05-E06 to mark both parts
- Keep specials and extras inside season folders when possible
Workflows:
- Use Bulk Rename Utilities to standardize filenames
- The Plex Series Scanner can suggest missing info during scan
Refreshing:
- Refresh individual show folders after making naming changes
- Or do a full library scan to detect all naming fixes
Following Plex's strict naming conventions will enable automatic episode matching and allow you to fully leverage Plex capabilities for TV shows.
Learn more@ https://www.youtube.com/c/ITGuides/search?query=Plex.