Fix: Plex Library Not Updating Issue

Several devices can stream media content through Plex, a popular media server. File formats supported by this software include a wide range of programs, and it...

Subrato Chatterjee

Last updated on April 17, 2023

Subrato Chatterjee

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Subrato Chatterjee is an Engineer who has always searched for something new. He found peace in technology, smartphones, and gaming. What do you need more? He is an expert in every sphere of life.

Common reasons for Plex Library Not Updating:

Outdated Plex server version: It is often due to an outdated server version that your Plex library does not update. To improve the server’s performance and stability, Plex regularly releases updates. Update your Plex server to the latest version if you have problems updating libraries.

Incorrect library settings: There can also be an issue with your Plex library not updating if your library settings are incorrect. Plex may be unable to scan and update your library if you have not configured your library settings correctly.

Connection issues: Your Plex library may also not update due to poor network connections or firewalls. It is possible that Plex will not be able to connect to the server and update your library if your network connection is slow or unstable. Furthermore, firewalls and VPNs may prevent Plex from updating your library if they block the necessary network ports.

Corrupted library database: This may also explain why your Plex library isn’t updating. It is possible that Plex will not be able to update your library if the database becomes corrupted.

Solutions to fix the Plex Library Not updating issue

So, here are some fixes that will help you fix the Plex Library not updating issue:

Fix 1: Check for Updates

When Plex libraries do not update, checking for updates is essential to resolve the problem. Updates to Plex to improve the server’s performance and stability are released frequently. There may be bug fixes, security enhancements, and new features included in these updates. Here are the steps for checking for updates:

Initially, you must log into your Plex account to check for updates. Plex’s website has a “Sign In” button in the top right corner that you can click to log in. Please enter your login credentials and click “Sign In.”
So, when you log in, you will be directed to your Plex dashboard. Here you can manage your media library and server settings. In the top right corner of the screen, click on “Settings” to check for updates.
Click on the “Server” tab in the Settings menu. You will be taken to the server settings page.
The “General” section is at the bottom of the server settings page. In this section, you will find an option labeled “Updates.” Click “Check for Updates” to check for available updates.
Updates will be prompted for installation if they are available. Make sure you follow the prompts to install the updates. In addition to taking a few minutes, the size of the update may also affect the time it takes to complete.
Restarting the Plex server once the updates have been installed is necessary. You can do this by clicking “Restart” on the “Server” tab in the Settings menu.

Fix 2: Refresh the Library

In order to fix the Plex library not updating issue, you need to refresh your Plex library. It may be necessary to manually refresh your library to add new media files when Plex does not detect new media files automatically. Follow these steps to refresh your library:

If you wish to refresh your library, you must log into your Plex account. The “Sign In” button can be found at the top right corner of the Plex website. Then click “Sign In” and enter your credentials.
Upon logging in, you will be redirected to your Plex dashboard. Media libraries and server settings can be managed here.
You can view your media libraries on the Plex dashboard. Click on the three dots next to the library name and select “Refresh” to refresh the library.
Plex will start scanning your library for new content after you click “Refresh.” This may take a few minutes, depending on your library size.
When the library has been refreshed, verify that the new content is visible on the library page to ensure that the library has been updated. It is possible that the new content is not visible after rescanning the library. Click on the three dots again and select “Scan Library Files” if you are unable to see the new content.

Fix 3: Check Library Settings

In order to resolve the issue of your Plex library not updating, it is also important to check your library settings. You can organize and display your media files according to your preferences in the Plex library settings. It is possible that incorrect library settings will prevent you from adding new content to your library. Follow these steps to check your library settings:

Log in to your Plex account to check your library settings. Visit the Plex website and click on the “Sign In” button in the top right corner. Click “Sign In” and enter your login credentials.
Upon logging in, you will be redirected to your Plex dashboard. You can manage your media library and server settings here.
Your Plex dashboard displays a list of your media libraries. Click the three dots next to the library name and select “Edit” to view the settings for that library.
On the library settings page, you can customize how your media files are arranged and displayed. You must make sure that these settings are configured correctly to match the format and naming convention for your media files.
Verify your library settings and click “Save Changes” to save them.

Fix 4: Check the Network Connection

Another critical step in resolving the Plex library not updating issue is checking your network connection. It is possible for Plex to fail to detect new content or communicate with the Plex server if there is a weak or unstable network connection. Follow these steps to check your network connection:

Verify that your internet connection is working properly. Open a web browser and visit any website to do this. Try troubleshooting your internet connection if you cannot access the internet.
If you want to access Plex from a mobile device, make sure it’s connected to the internet and accessible from it. Using the Plex dashboard, you can check if your server is online and accessible.
To access Plex from a mobile device or streaming device, make sure the device is connected to the same network as your Plex server. It is possible to check the Wi-Fi and Ethernet settings on your device to find out if this is the case.
Ensure that a firewall isn’t blocking Plex or interfering with its communication with the server if you have one enabled on your network or device. If you don’t know your firewall settings, refer to your firewall software’s documentation.
You may want to restart your network equipment, including your modem, router, switches, and any access points or routers, if you have verified that your internet connection, server connection, and device connection are all working properly.

Fix 5: Reset Database

You can resolve the Plex library not updating issue by resetting your Plex database, though this is a more drastic step. Incorrect database entries or corrupted data can often be resolved by resetting the database, which deletes all metadata and user information associated with your media library. You can reset your Plex database by following these steps:

It is necessary to log in to your Plex account in order to reset your database. On the Plex website, click the “Sign In” button in the top right corner. Click “Sign In” and enter your login credentials.
You must stop the Plex Media Server before resetting your database. On the Plex dashboard, click the “Stop” button located in the upper right corner.
You must locate the Plex Media Server data folder once you have stopped the Plex Media Server. Depending on your operating system, you may find this folder in a different location.
To reset your Plex database, locate the “Plugin Support” folder in the Plex Media Server data folder and rename the “com.plexapp. plugins.library” folder to something else, such as “com.plexapp. plugins.library_old.”
In the Plex dashboard, click on the “Start” button after you rename the database folder.
To rebuild your media library’s database, you need to rescan it once Plex Media Server is restarted. Thereafter, click on the three dots next to the library name and select “Scan Library Files.”

Wrap Up

It can be frustrating when Plex libraries do not update, but it is not uncommon. Nevertheless, the solutions outlined in this article should allow you to fix the issue. So, that’s all we have for you on how to fix the Plex library is not updating error. We hope that this guide has helped you. For more info, comment below and let us know.