Radarr is a popular tool for managing and automating movie downloads, allowing users to automate the process of searching, downloading, and organizing movies. However, like any software, it can encounter a few hiccups along the way. One of the common issues users face is when Radarr is not moving completed downloads to the designated folders after they have finished downloading. This issue can be frustrating as it prevents your downloaded movies from being properly organized into the correct directories. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix this issue and get Radarr working smoothly again.
Why Radarr May Not Be Moving Completed Downloads
Before diving into the troubleshooting steps, it’s important to understand why Radarr may not be moving completed downloads. There are a few common reasons why this might occur:
- Permissions Issues: Radarr may not have the necessary permissions to move files to the destination folder. This could be due to incorrect file system permissions or issues with the user account Radarr is running under.
- Misconfigured Folder Paths: If Radarr’s folder paths for completed downloads are incorrectly configured, the software won’t know where to move the files after they are downloaded.
- Missing or Corrupted Files: Sometimes, the downloaded files themselves might be missing or incomplete, preventing Radarr from performing its post-download actions. This can happen if there was an issue during the download process or if the files were somehow corrupted.
- Radarr Settings Not Correctly Set Up: Radarr has specific settings that need to be enabled for it to automatically move completed downloads. If these settings are not configured properly, Radarr may not move the files as expected.
- Connection Issues with Download Clients: If Radarr is connected to a download client (like NZBGet or uTorrent), and there are connection issues or API problems, the integration between Radarr and the client may fail to trigger the move action.
Steps to Fix Radarr Not Moving Completed Downloads
Now that we understand some of the reasons why Radarr might not be moving completed downloads, let’s go through a few troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.
1. Check Folder Permissions
The first step in resolving the issue is to ensure that Radarr has the proper permissions to access and move files. If Radarr cannot read from or write to the destination folder, it will fail to move completed downloads. To fix this:
- Check the permissions of the folder where Radarr is trying to move the completed downloads.
- Ensure that the user account running Radarr has read and write permissions for the folder.
- If Radarr is running under a specific user account (for example, as a service), make sure that account has the necessary permissions on the file system.
2. Verify Folder Paths in Radarr
Incorrect folder paths are another common reason for Radarr not moving completed downloads. If Radarr’s settings are misconfigured, it might be looking for completed downloads in the wrong folder or failing to find the source or destination folder entirely. To check this:
- Go to Radarr’s settings and navigate to the Media Management section.
- Double-check the paths listed for the Root Folder and Completed Download Handling.
- Ensure that the correct download client folders (such as those used by your torrent or NZB client) are correctly set up and match the paths in Radarr’s settings.
3. Ensure Download Client Integration is Correct
Radarr integrates with a variety of download clients, including uTorrent, NZBGet, and Sonarr. If there’s a connection issue between Radarr and your download client, the software won’t be able to trigger the post-download actions, like moving the completed files. To fix this:
- Go to Radarr’s settings and open the Download Clients section.
- Check the connection to your download client and ensure that the API key, host, and port information are entered correctly.
- Test the connection to make sure Radarr can communicate with the download client.
4. Configure Completed Download Handling
Radarr has a feature called Completed Download Handling that is responsible for moving and organizing completed downloads. If this is disabled or misconfigured, the files won’t be moved after the download completes. To enable this:
- Open the Completed Download Handling section in Radarr’s settings.
- Make sure the option to Enable Completed Download Handling is checked.
- Set the appropriate Minimum Age (time before moving files) and the Root Folder to ensure the downloaded files are correctly moved and organized.
5. Check for Missing or Corrupted Files
If Radarr is unable to find the files it needs to move, it won’t be able to complete the process. If the files are incomplete or corrupted, Radarr won’t be able to perform its post-download actions. To resolve this:
- Manually check the download folder to ensure the files are fully downloaded and not corrupted.
- If files are missing or corrupted, you may need to manually re-download them.
- After confirming the integrity of the files, test Radarr again to see if it moves the files correctly.
Table: Radarr Settings to Check for Completed Downloads
| Setting | Description | How to Check/Set it |
|---|---|---|
| Completed Download Handling | Controls whether Radarr automatically moves completed downloads. | Go to Settings > Media Management > Completed Download Handling. |
| Root Folder | Path where movies are stored after download. | Go to Settings > Media Management and verify path. |
| Download Client Connection | Ensures Radarr is connected to your download client. | Go to Settings > Download Clients and test connection. |
| Permissions | Ensures Radarr has permission to move files. | Check the file system permissions for Radarr’s user account. |
Conclusion
In summary, Radarr not moving completed downloads can be caused by several factors, including incorrect folder paths, missing or corrupted files, misconfigured settings, or permission issues. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can fix this problem and ensure that Radarr is functioning as intended. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user, addressing these common issues will help you streamline your download management process and keep your movie collection organized.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the “Completed Download Handling” feature in Radarr?
- The “Completed Download Handling” feature ensures that Radarr automatically moves your completed downloads from the download client folder to your designated movie folder. If this setting is turned off, Radarr will not move the files.
- How can I tell if Radarr is having permission issues?
- If Radarr is unable to move completed downloads, check the error logs for permission-related errors. You may also notice that Radarr doesn’t interact with certain folders or file types.
- Why do my downloaded movies sometimes disappear before Radarr can move them?
- This may be due to the download client removing the files once they are marked as completed, before Radarr has a chance to move them. Make sure to configure Radarr and your download client to handle the files properly.
- Can I move my completed downloads manually?
- Yes, you can manually move completed downloads, but doing so defeats the purpose of Radarr’s automation. Fixing the underlying issue will allow Radarr to handle this process for you.
- How can I automate Radarr to fix completed download issues?
- To automate the fixing of completed download issues, make sure Radarr’s completed download handling is enabled and properly configured, along with correct folder paths and permissions.
