Jellyfin 10.11: Library Not Recognized After Update

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Jellyfin 10.11: Library Recognition Issues After Update on Windows 11 Server

Experiencing issues with Jellyfin after updating to versions 10.11.1 and 10.11.2 on a Windows 11 server? You're not alone. This article delves into a peculiar bug where libraries, particularly the "Anime" library, are not correctly recognized after the update. We'll explore the problem, the steps to reproduce it, and potential workarounds.

Problem Description

After upgrading Jellyfin from version 10.10.7 to 10.11.1 (and subsequently to 10.11.2), users have reported that their "Anime" library, and sometimes other libraries, cease to function as expected. Instead of displaying the correct content, the Anime library might open only a single anime title or mislabel other content as that title. This issue arises even without any changes to the directory paths that were correctly configured in Jellyfin 10.10.7.

To illustrate, consider the following directory structure:

D:\JellyFin_KEEP\TV\Unwatched\<TV Show - [Bitrate]>\S01\
D:\JellyFin_KEEP\TV\Watched\<TV Show - [Bitrate]>\S01\

This structure, which worked flawlessly in Jellyfin 10.10.7 and earlier, suddenly encounters problems in the newer versions:

D:\JellyFin_KEEP\Anime\Enabled\Watched\<anime show>\S01\
D:\JellyFin_KEEP\Anime\Enabled\Unwatched\<anime show>\S01\
D:\JellyFin_KEEP\Movies\Enabled\#AB W Series\Movie Title - [Bitrate].mkv
D:\JellyFin_KEEP\Movies\Enabled\#AB Unw Series\Movie Title - [Bitrate].mkv

Specifically, the Anime and Movies libraries are not being properly recognized. This issue persists even after restarting the PC and updating to Jellyfin 10.11.2. All media remains on the local area network (LAN), without any port forwarding.

Directory Structure and Its Importance

Understanding the directory structure is crucial for troubleshooting. Jellyfin relies on this structure to correctly identify and categorize media files. When the update disrupts this recognition, it can lead to the mislabeling or complete absence of media content within the libraries.

The user's directory setup includes main folders for TV, Movies, and Anime, with subfolders to further organize content by watched status and bitrate. This method had been successful in previous versions of Jellyfin, making the sudden failure in 10.11.1 and 10.11.2 all the more perplexing. The key question is: What changed in these updates that caused this disruption?

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

Several factors could contribute to this issue. Let's explore some potential causes and troubleshooting steps:

  1. Metadata Issues: The update might have altered how Jellyfin reads or interprets metadata. Try refreshing the metadata for the affected libraries.
  2. Library Configuration: Double-check the library settings in Jellyfin to ensure the correct content paths are specified and that the library type (e.g., Anime, Movies) is accurately set.
  3. Permissions: Verify that Jellyfin has the necessary permissions to access the media files in the specified directories. Insufficient permissions can prevent Jellyfin from correctly scanning and indexing the content.
  4. Database Corruption: Although less common, database corruption can occur during updates. Consider restoring a backup of the Jellyfin database from before the update to see if that resolves the issue.
  5. Plugin Conflicts: If you're using any plugins, try disabling them temporarily to see if one of them is causing a conflict with the new Jellyfin version.
  6. File Naming Conventions: Ensure that your file naming conventions are consistent and adhere to Jellyfin's recommended practices. Inconsistent naming can sometimes confuse the media scanner.

The Question of Downgrading

Given these challenges, the question arises: Is it safe to continue using version 10.10.7 until this issue is resolved? For users heavily reliant on their media libraries, reverting to a stable, working version might be the most practical immediate solution. However, keep in mind that staying on an older version means missing out on the latest features, security updates, and bug fixes.

Community Input and Collaboration

When facing such issues, engaging with the Jellyfin community can be invaluable. Sharing your experiences, logs, and troubleshooting steps on forums or discussion boards can help identify common patterns and potential solutions. Collaboration among users and developers can lead to quicker resolutions and a better overall experience for everyone.

Reproduction Steps

To reproduce this bug, follow these steps:

  1. Backup: Create a backup of your Jellyfin files and a system restore point.
  2. Update: Upgrade Jellyfin to the latest version (jellyfin_10.11.1_windows-x64.exe).
  3. Start: Attempt to start Jellyfin. If it fails, proceed to the next step.
  4. Restart: Restart the PC.
  5. Observe: Check the Anime and other media libraries for recognition issues.
  6. Further Update: Upgrade to Jellyfin 10.11.2 to see if the issue is resolved. For many users, it persists.

Current Bug Behavior

The current behavior is that the Anime library and potentially other libraries are not recognized correctly. This results in missing content, mislabeled content (e.g., all anime labeled as "Witch Watch"), and an overall broken media library experience.

Expected Correct Behavior

The expected behavior is that Jellyfin should list all anime and movies without any issues, just as it did in version 10.10.7 and earlier. All media should be correctly categorized and accessible.

Environment Details

  • OS: Windows 11
  • Jellyfin Version: 10.11.1 & 10.11.2
  • Commit ID: 40a33da
  • Build Version: 10.11.2
  • Clients: iOS Jellyfin app
  • Browser: Firefox
  • Hardware Acceleration: Not sure
  • GPU Model: i7 13th gen iGPU
  • Jellyfin Data Storage: 7200 RPM HDD

Additional Environment Information

To provide a comprehensive overview of the environment, consider including the following details:

  • Linux Kernel: (If applicable)
  • Virtualization: (If applicable, e.g., Docker, VMware)
  • FFmpeg Version: This can be found in the Jellyfin dashboard under "System Information."
  • Playback Method: (e.g., Direct Play, Transcoding)
  • Plugins: List any installed plugins.
  • Reverse Proxy: (If applicable, e.g., Nginx, Apache)
  • Base URL: (If applicable)
  • Networking: (e.g., Local network, VPN)
  • Media Storage: (e.g., Internal HDD, NAS)
  • External Integrations: (e.g., Trakt, Emby)

Jellyfin Logs Analysis

The provided Jellyfin logs offer some clues, but they don't immediately pinpoint the root cause of the library recognition issue. Let's break down the relevant sections:

  • WebSocket Connections: The logs show WebSocket connections being established and closed, which is normal for client-server communication. The "error receiving data: The remote party closed the WebSocket connection without completing the close handshake" warning might indicate network instability or client-side issues, but it's unlikely to be directly related to the library problem.
  • Database Optimization: The logs indicate that the database optimization task is running successfully. This rules out obvious database corruption issues.
  • Chapter Image Extraction: The logs show that chapter image extraction is being skipped for several media files due to the average chapter duration being lower than the minimum threshold. This is normal behavior and not related to the library recognition issue.
  • Library Monitoring: The logs show that directory watching is being stopped and started for the media directories. This is part of the library scanning process. The key line here is "Found duplicate path: D:\JellyFin_KEEP\Anime\Enabled\Watched". This suggests a potential misconfiguration or bug where Jellyfin is detecting the same path multiple times, which could lead to conflicts and recognition problems.
  • Media Segment Scan: The logs show that the media segment scan task is completing successfully.

Interpreting the Logs

The "duplicate path" error is the most significant finding in the logs. It suggests that Jellyfin is somehow registering the same directory multiple times, which could be causing confusion and preventing it from correctly identifying and indexing the media content. This could be due to a bug in the library scanning process or a misconfiguration in the Jellyfin settings.

Potential Solutions and Workarounds

Based on the information gathered, here are some potential solutions and workarounds:

  1. Remove Duplicate Paths: Carefully review the library settings in Jellyfin and ensure that there are no duplicate entries for the media directories. Remove any redundant paths.
  2. Clean Library Scan: Perform a clean library scan. This involves removing the library, deleting the contents, and then rescanning. This can help clear out any corrupted or outdated data.
  3. Check File Permissions: Ensure that the Jellyfin user account has the necessary read and write permissions to access the media files and directories.
  4. Database Integrity Check: Run a database integrity check to ensure that the database is not corrupted. This can be done through the Jellyfin command-line interface.
  5. Revert to 10.10.7: If all else fails, consider reverting to Jellyfin version 10.10.7, which is known to work correctly with the existing media library configuration. However, be aware of the potential security risks and missing features associated with using an older version.

Community Collaboration

If you're experiencing this issue, consider sharing your experiences and logs on the Jellyfin forums or discussion boards. Providing detailed information about your environment, configuration, and troubleshooting steps can help the Jellyfin community identify the root cause of the bug and develop effective solutions.

By working together, we can help improve the stability and reliability of Jellyfin and ensure a seamless media library experience for everyone. Let's dive deeper into this issue, share our findings, and help each other out!