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+--- Thread: Source folder "modified date" constantly updated (/t-source-folder-modified-date-constantly-updated)
Source folder "modified date" constantly updated - tvfan - 2025-04-27
Hello all,
I am not sure where to list this so hopefully this is the right thread.
The issue that I've been running into is that Jellyfin constantly updates the latest "modified date" of the source folder for some TV shows.
This is how I setup Jellyfin:
- Windows 10 machine, with shared folders for each type of media: movies (a couple of these folders), tv shows, music, etc.
- the jellyfish server runs on it, and the clients access it over the network.
Networking wise, everything works perfectly. There's no issues with playback. However, when managing files, I noticed an odd behavior. It is not a major bug, but it is troublesome when updating shows or adding new rips to the existing folders.
Whether or not I update a certain number of shows (let's say a few dozen). Jellyfin updates their corresponding folder's "modify dates" daily, more or less about the same time. Noting the following:
1. This happens to the exact same shows every day.
1.1 It doesn't matter if I had had added them a long time ago or recently. But it is always the same shows.
1.2 I can't see a pattern in their file name, they don't have any special characters, and jellyfin scrapes them correctly.
1.3 When the files (hidden or not) they don't appear modified at all. This includes the .nfo files of course.
2. There are other shows in the same folder, but they do not have the same issue. They're modified date remains the same and only changes when I make a change to them.
3. The change in "modified date" only happens to the main show folder. And only when jellyfin monitoring the drive/top folder where it is located. It doesn't matter if I move the show to another location.
I have tried emptying the cache through the Dashboard, removing the affected shows for a day or more and re-adding them, but nothing seems to help. The issue also remains when I create a new folder with the same name as the affected show and move the contents there, or even a new folder with the same name and leave it empty. The show's folder is the only one with the updated name.
I know this seems like a small issue, but as I am ripping my collection and adding episodes when I can, finding that a bunch of shows that I haven't updated appear as "recently modified" is a hassle, not to mention strange.
Thank you so much for any help on steps to continue to troubleshoot.
RE: Source folder "modified date" constantly updated - Efficient_Good_5784 - 2025-04-27
If you store NFO files along the media files, any changes to the NFO will cause the parent folders to update their modified date if the NFOs are modified.
Every time you watch a show, the NFO files will be updated.
I believe adding/changing metadata such as artwork saved in the same folders will also cause the modified date to change.
RE: Source folder "modified date" constantly updated - tvfan - 2025-04-27
Yes, I expected that behavior, however, this happens with the same set of shows even if I haven't watched them or done anything to update them. Actually, it happens everyday, at the same time, in my case 9:30 am or so, even if I haven't watched or even access Jellyfin or any client (at least directly) for days.
What I find peculiar is that none of the files in the show's folders are updated (even the nfo), only the show's top folder. It is also strange that it happens to the same set of shows, I mean, literally the same shows in the same order. Dozens of them. Most of the other shows are not affected at all.
It even happens only to those shows when I moved them to a different library. Again, even if I don't play them or make any changes to them. They haven't happening for well over a year. I'm just getting. around trying to fix it now 😩
It appears as if the folders get updated regardless, and I'm wondering if it is something in cache that I am not clearing properly? I let jellyfin do the schedule tasks.
Perhaps I just need to wipe the library and start all over. But I don't want to be so drastic if someone can think of a work around that I can't think of.
RE: Source folder "modified date" constantly updated - Efficient_Good_5784 - 2025-04-27
I would check the scheduled tasks and turn off any that run around that time that you have stated.
It sounds like a task can be the culprit since it happens at the same time each day for you.