---
title: "Music library issues"
description: "What to do when your music library is empty, incomplete or slow, or search doesn't find your music."
url: https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/199-music-library-issues
collection: "Troubleshooting"
updated: 2026-11-13
language: en
---

# Music library issues

What to do when your music library is empty, incomplete or slow, or search doesn't find your music.

Your music library is the music on USB drives, network drives and the device's internal memory. Its settings are in your device's `Settings` → `Sources`, under `My music`.

## Update or rescan

When music is missing, start here:

-   `Update library` adds the new files and removes the deleted ones. It's quick: use it first.
    
-   `Rescan library` reads the whole library again from scratch. It can take a long time with big libraries: use it only if `Update library` doesn't help.
    

While the device reads your music, `Scanning library…` shows at the top of your page. Wait until it disappears.

## The network drive is added, but there's no music

1.  Go to `Settings` → `Sources` → `Network drives` and check that the drive shows up under the mounted drives.
    
2.  Press the edit button next to the drive and check `Path`: it must point to the folder that holds your music, as shared by your NAS or computer.
    
3.  Check `File share type` and, if your NAS needs them, `Username` and `Password`.
    
4.  Press `Save drive`, then go back to `My music` and press `Update library`.
    

> **Tip:** If your NAS shows up under `Found on your network`, use that entry: it fills in the address and the path for you.

## Some music is missing from Artists or Albums

`Artists` and `Albums` are built from the files' tags (artist, album). Music without these tags doesn't show up there, but it's still in `Music Library`, which lists your folders.

1.  Go to `Browse` → `Music Library` and check that the music is in its folder.
    
2.  If it is, add the missing tags with a tag editor on your computer.
    
3.  Go to `Settings` → `Sources` → `My music` and press `Update library`.
    

## Music disappears after a restart

If your music is on a network drive, the device may have started before the drive was ready.

1.  Check that your NAS or computer is on and isn't asleep.
    
2.  Go to `Settings` → `Sources` → `My music` and press `Update library`.
    

If your music is on a USB drive, unplug it and plug it in again, then press `Update library`.

## The device is slow or stops responding with a big library

The first scan of a big library can take a long time, and the device can be slow while it runs.

1.  Wait until `Scanning library…` disappears from `Browse` before you use the device.
    
2.  If the drive is on the network, connect the device with an Ethernet cable.
    
3.  Don't press `Rescan library` unless you need it: `Update library` only reads what changed.
    

## Search doesn't find music that's in the library

1.  Go to `Settings` → `Sources` → `My music` and press `Update library`.
    
2.  Check the file's tags (artist, album, title) with a tag editor on your computer: search uses the tags, not the file names.
    

## Still not working

[Report a bug](https://help.volumio.com/articles/33-report-a-bug) from the app and tell us where your music is (USB, network drive or internal memory), roughly how many tracks it holds and, for a network drive, your NAS brand and model.

## Related

- [Report a bug](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/33-report-a-bug.md)
- [Connection issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/197-connection-issues.md)
- [Playback issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/198-playback-issues.md)
- [Streaming service issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/200-streaming-service-issues.md)
- [Startup issues](https://help.volumio.com/en/articles/201-startup-issues.md)