JELLYFIN - Debug Mode And Troubleshooting

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Enabling Debug Mode

To enable debug mode in Jellyfin, you need to modify the configuration file or start the server with a specific environment variable. Debug mode provides additional logging and information that can help in diagnosing issues.

Modifying the Configuration File

To modify the configuration file:

Navigate to the Jellyfin configuration directory. The path will vary depending on your operating system:

  • Linux: `/etc/jellyfin/`
  • Windows: `C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\config\`
  • macOS: `/usr/local/var/jellyfin/`

Locate the `jellyfin.conf` or `config.json` or `logging.json` file.

  • Add or modify the following setting under the `logging` section:
  {
      "LogLevel": "Debug"
  }
  • Or MinimumLevel from "Information" to "Debug" :
{
    "Serilog": {
        "MinimumLevel": "Debug",
        "WriteTo": [
            {
                "Name": "Console",
                "Args": {
                    "outputTemplate": "[{Timestamp:HH:mm:ss}] [{Level:u3}] {Message:lj}{NewLine}{Exception}"
                }
            },
            {
                "Name": "Async",
                "Args": {
                    "configure": [
                        {
                            "Name": "File",
                            "Args": {
                                "path": "%JELLYFIN_LOG_DIR%//jellyfin.log",
                                "fileSizeLimitBytes": 10485700,
                                "rollOnFileSizeLimit": true,
                                "retainedFileCountLimit": 10,
                                "outputTemplate": "[{Timestamp:yyyy-MM-dd HH:mm:ss.fff zzz}] [{Level:u3}] {Message}{NewLine}{Exception}"
                            }
                        }
                    ]
                }
            }
        ]
    }
}


  • Save the file and restart the Jellyfin server for the changes to take effect.

Using Environment Variables

Alternatively, you can set the environment variable directly when starting Jellyfin. For example, on Linux or macOS: 

export JELLYFIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug

On Windows: 

set JELLYFIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug

After setting this environment variable, restart Jellyfin to begin logging in debug mode.

Accessing Logs

Once debug mode is enabled, Jellyfin will generate detailed logs that can be accessed for troubleshooting.

Default Log Locations

  • Linux: `/var/log/jellyfin/`
  • Windows: `C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\logs\`
  • macOS: `/usr/local/var/log/jellyfin/`

The log files include information about server activity, plugin operations, errors, and detailed debug messages. Common log files include:

  • `jellyfin.log`: General server logs.
  • `ffmpeg.log`: Logs related to media transcoding.
  • `metadata_*.log`: Logs related to metadata processing.

Viewing Logs

You can use any text editor or command-line tools to view the logs. For example, on Linux or macOS: 

cat /var/log/jellyfin/jellyfin.log

For real-time viewing, use: 

tail -f /var/log/jellyfin/jellyfin.log

On Windows, open the `.log` files with any text editor like Notepad.

Troubleshooting Jellyfin

The troubleshooting chapter focuses on resolving common issues using the information from debug logs and additional configuration tips.

Server Not Starting

If Jellyfin does not start, check the following:

  • Verify that the logs show any errors at startup. Common messages may include missing files, permission issues, or failed database migrations.
  • Check that the Jellyfin service is running (on Linux or macOS):
systemctl status jellyfin

If it's not running, start it using: 

systemctl start jellyfin

On Windows, check the Windows Services panel for the Jellyfin service.

  • Check for database corruption. If the database is corrupted, Jellyfin may fail to start. You can try deleting the `metadata` folder (after backing it up) to force Jellyfin to rebuild the metadata and database:
rm -rf /var/lib/jellyfin/metadata/

On Windows: 

rd /s /q "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\metadata"

Playback Issues

If you're experiencing playback issues such as buffering or failure to start media, follow these steps:

  • **Check Transcoding Logs**: Review the `ffmpeg.log` file to determine if there were any issues with the transcoding process. Look for errors such as missing codecs, failed transcoding, or unsupported formats.
  • **Transcoder Settings**: You may need to adjust the transcoder settings. In the Jellyfin dashboard, go to **Admin > Playback** and review the settings for hardware acceleration and transcoding.
  • **Test Direct Playback**: If possible, try direct playback of the media (without transcoding) to see if the issue is related to transcoding. You can disable transcoding temporarily via the dashboard.
  • **Network Issues**: Ensure there are no network issues that could be causing buffering. Check for network latency or bandwidth issues, especially if streaming media over the internet.

Metadata and Library Issues

If your metadata is not showing correctly or libraries are not updating:

  • **Rescan Metadata**: Trigger a manual metadata refresh. This can be done through the dashboard by navigating to **Admin > Libraries**, selecting your library, and choosing "Scan Library Files".
  • **Permissions Issues**: Ensure that Jellyfin has proper permissions to read and write to the directories containing your media files.
  • **Force Rebuild Database**: If metadata issues persist, you may need to force a full library rebuild. This can be done by deleting the metadata folder (as described earlier) and rescanning.

Plugin Issues

If Jellyfin plugins are not functioning correctly:

  • **Check Plugin Logs**: Review the logs for specific plugin errors. Plugins often generate their own log files within the Jellyfin logs directory.
  • **Reinstall Plugins**: Try disabling and re-enabling the plugin through the Jellyfin dashboard. If problems persist, try uninstalling and reinstalling the plugin.
  • **Plugin Compatibility**: Make sure the plugins you are using are compatible with your version of Jellyfin. Some plugins may require updates after a Jellyfin upgrade.
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