---
title: "Jellyfin Library Path Mismatch — Radarr/Sonarr Root Folder vs Jellyfin Library Paths"
aliases: [jellyfin-library-mismatch, radarr-root-folder-jellyfin, jellyfin-missing-movies, sonarr-jellyfin-path]
tags: [jellyfin, radarr, sonarr, media-stack, library, path, homelab]
sources:
  - "daily/2026-05-03.md"
created: 2026-05-03
updated: 2026-05-03
---

# Jellyfin Library Path Mismatch — Radarr/Sonarr Root Folder vs Jellyfin Library Paths

When Radarr or Sonarr download content to a specific path and Jellyfin's library monitors a different path, downloaded media is invisible to Jellyfin — no error is shown, the library is simply missing those items. This is especially common when using multiple library categories (e.g., Movies vs Kids Movies) with different root folders.

## Key Points

- **Radarr root folder ≠ Jellyfin library path → media is invisible** — no error, just missing items
- **Multiple Jellyfin libraries have separate path configurations** — adding `/data/movies` to "Movies" library does not automatically scan `/data/movies/kids`
- **Every root folder in Radarr/Sonarr must have a corresponding Jellyfin library** that monitors it
- **After fixing the path or adding the library:** do a manual library scan (Jellyfin dashboard → Libraries → Scan)
- **The `Refresh Metadata` button** in Jellyfin forces re-examination of existing library paths — it does not discover new paths

## Details

### The Silent Failure Pattern

```
Radarr downloads: /data/movies/kids/Moana (2016)/Moana.mkv
Jellyfin "Movies" library monitors: /data/movies/films/

Result: Jellyfin Movies library = empty (can't find Moana)
No error in Jellyfin — it just has nothing to show
```

### How to Diagnose

```bash
# 1. Check where Radarr is saving files
# In Radarr UI: Movies → any movie → File Path shows actual location

# 2. Check Jellyfin library paths
# Jellyfin Admin → Libraries → (Library Name) → click pencil → Folders

# 3. Manually verify files exist
docker exec jellyfin ls -la /data/movies/kids/
# If files are here but Jellyfin doesn't show them → path mismatch
```

### Fixing a Path Mismatch

**Option A — Add the missing path to an existing Jellyfin library:**

1. Jellyfin Admin Dashboard → Libraries
2. Click the pencil icon on the affected library
3. Click **Add Media Folder**
4. Add the missing path (e.g., `/data/movies/kids`)
5. Save → Library automatically scans

**Option B — Create a separate Jellyfin library for the subfolder:**

1. Jellyfin Admin → Libraries → Add Media Library
2. Select type (Movies, Shows, etc.)
3. Set the folder to the root folder Radarr uses (e.g., `/data/movies/kids`)
4. Configure metadata, artwork options
5. Save and scan

Option B is better when the content type warrants a separate library (e.g., "Kids Movies" with age-appropriate content ratings).

### Multiple Root Folders in Radarr/Sonarr

Radarr and Sonarr support multiple root folders (e.g., for different quality tiers or content categories). Each root folder must be explicitly monitored by Jellyfin:

```
Radarr root folders:        Jellyfin libraries:
/data/movies/films     →    "Movies" library
/data/movies/kids      →    "Kids Movies" library  ← must add separately
/data/movies/4k        →    "4K Movies" library    ← must add separately
```

When adding a new root folder to Radarr, immediately check if Jellyfin has a library for that path.

### Post-Fix: Force a Library Scan

After adding or correcting a library path:

```bash
# Via Jellyfin UI:
Admin → Dashboard → Libraries → click "Scan All Libraries"

# Or scan a specific library:
Admin → Libraries → (Library Name) → 3-dot menu → Scan Library
```

New content appears in Jellyfin within seconds to a few minutes depending on library size.

## Related Concepts

- [[wiki/concepts/jellyfin-tmdb-thetvdb-plugin]] — Jellyfin metadata configuration and naming conventions
- [[wiki/concepts/sonarr-custom-format-quality-profile]] — Sonarr root folder and quality profile configuration
- [[wiki/homelab/_index]] — media stack: Radarr, Sonarr, Jellyfin pipeline

## Sources

- [[daily/2026-05-03.md]] — Radarr downloading to `/data/movies/kids`, Jellyfin "Фільми" (Films) library only watched `/data/movies/films`; children's movies were in a separate "Мультики" (Cartoons) library; after refresh Jellyfin saw 6 films; fix was verifying each Radarr root folder has a corresponding Jellyfin library
