Fix “Files not found” in Kodi by checking the file path first, then cleaning the library, then fixing scrapers and add-ons. Kodi’s library is built from your media folders, plus metadata and artwork from scrapers, as explained by the official Kodi wiki [source: Kodi Wiki]. If Kodi cannot see the folder, the movie is not “missing.” Kodi is just looking in the wrong place.

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1. Check if the files are really there

This sounds too simple. It is also the fix most people skip.

Open the file location outside Kodi. Use your file manager, network share, or external drive. Can you open the video there?

• If yes: Kodi has a bad path or library issue.
• If no: the file was moved, deleted, renamed, or the drive is offline.
• If it is on a NAS: check if the NAS is awake and connected.
• If it is on USB: unplug it, wait 10 seconds, plug it back in.

Honestly, it feels like Kodi waits until movie night to forget where your files live. One tiny folder rename can break a whole row of posters.

2. Fix the source path in Kodi

A broken source path is the usual villain.

In Kodi, go to:

• Videos
• Files
• Pick the broken source
• Open the context menu
• Choose Edit source

Now check the path. Look for tiny mistakes.

• Wrong drive letter
• Old server name
• Changed folder name
• Missing password for SMB
• Swapped slash direction

For network shares, use the IP address if the device name keeps failing. For example, use smb://192.168.1.50/Movies instead of a server name. It is less pretty. It is often more reliable.

3. Clean the library

Kodi stores old entries until you remove them. So a deleted movie can still appear in your library. Then Kodi throws “file not found” when you press play. Rude.

To clean it:

• Go to Settings
• Open Media
• Choose Library
• Select Clean library
• Confirm when Kodi asks

This removes dead links. It does not delete your real video files. Still, read the prompts. Kodi can be blunt, and panic clicks are never your friend.

After cleaning, run Update library. This makes Kodi scan your folders again.

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4. Set the correct content type

If Kodi thinks your TV folder is a movie folder, scraping gets messy fast.

Go back to your media source. Open the context menu. Pick Set content.

Choose the right type:

• Movies for films
• TV shows for series
• Music videos for music videos
• None for random clips or home videos

Then pick a scraper. For movies, many people use The Movie Database. For TV, use a TV scraper that matches your files well.

Also check the folder layout. Kodi likes clean structure.

• Movies/Inception (2010)/Inception (2010).mkv
• TV Shows/Breaking Bad/Season 01/Breaking Bad S01E01.mkv

Bad names cause bad matches. A file called coolmoviefinal2.mkv will not help anyone.

5. Refresh bad scraper results

Sometimes the file is fine, but the metadata is wrong. You click one movie. Kodi points to another. Great. More sofa rage.

Try this:

• Open the movie or show info screen
• Select Refresh
• Say yes to ignore local info if needed
• Pick the correct match from the list

If many items are wrong, do not fix them one by one. Fix the filenames first. Then remove the source from the library. Add it again with the right scraper.

6. Check add-ons if streaming links fail

“Files not found” can also happen in add-ons. This is different from local files. The link may be dead. The add-on may be outdated. The provider may have changed its site.

Try these steps:

• Update the add-on.
• Update the repository.
• Clear the add-on cache if it has that option.
• Restart Kodi.
• Try another source inside the add-on.

If only one add-on fails, the add-on is likely the issue. If every add-on fails, check your internet, DNS, VPN, or Kodi version.

7. Turn on debug logging

If nothing works, let Kodi snitch on itself.

Go to:

• Settings
• System
• Logging
• Enable Debug logging

Now repeat the error. Then check the log file. Search for words like error, not found, permission, or failed.

The log often tells you the exact broken path. That saves time. Expect to waste 20 minutes without it, and 2 minutes with it.

Quick final checklist

• Make sure the drive or NAS is online.
• Fix the source path.
• Clean the library.
• Update the library.
• Set the right content type.
• Fix filenames and folders.
• Refresh scraper matches.
• Update or replace broken add-ons.
• Use debug logs when stuck.

Most Kodi “Files not found” errors are not mysterious. They are usually old paths, sleepy drives, messy names, or cranky add-ons. Fix those first. Your posters can look fancy later. First, make the play button work.