How to Change the Music Folder on Navidrome Easily

Navidrome is an excellent and free music server. It allows you to upload all your music collection to the cloud and access that on multiple devices and applications. It saves space on you devices and enable you to enjoy your music collection from anywhere in the world. You can also share it in you social circle. In this guide we will learn about how to change the music folder on Navidrome easily and step-by-step.

The need to change the music folder arises when the already existing folder is full, making a new collection folder, or when the music is moved to a new place. The steps to changing the folder are very simple and easy to follow. 

Table of Contents
Navidrome Music Folder Configuration
Reasons to Change the Navidrome Music Folder
Preparations Before Changing the Music Folder
Step 1: Locate the Navidrome Configuration File
Step 2: Update the Music Folder Path
Step 3: Verify File Permissions
Step 4: Restart the Navidrome Service
Step 5: Trigger a Full Library Scan
Step 6: Verify the Music Library
Step 7: Clean Up Old Data
Special Considerations for Docker Users
Special Considerations for QNAP Users
Troubleshooting Tips
Advantages of Using a Properly Configured Music Folder
Maintaining the Music Folder for Future Use
Conclusion

Navidrome Music Folder Configuration

The music folder in Navidrome is where all the music files are kept. Navidrome uses this folder to build its music list. The music folder must be correct because Navidrome cannot read from more than one folder at the same time.

Reasons to Change the Navidrome Music Folder

There are many reasons why the music folder may need to be changed:

• Sometimes, the files are moved to a bigger place.
• Music files are arranged into a new folder to make them neat.
• Files may be transferred to an outside drive.
• A safer location might be chosen for keeping the files.
• The folder path was not correct the first time.

Changing the music folder for the private music server is important when any of these things happen.

Preparations Before Changing the Music Folder

Before changing the music folder, it is good to do some small steps first:

1. Make a backup of the Navidrome settings to keep them safe.
2. Check that Navidrome can read the new music files.
3. For Docker users, get the folder settings ready.
4. Get ready to restart Navidrome after changing the folder.

Doing these steps first will help make the rest very smooth.

Step 1: Locate the Navidrome Configuration File

Navidrome has a special settings file. The music folder path is saved in this file. The file is called navidrome.toml. It can be found in different places.

On Linux, it is often here:

~/.config/navidrome/navidrome.toml

For Docker, the settings are in the docker-compose.yml file.

On QNAP or Cloudron, the settings can be found in the easy-to-use screen.

Step 2: Update the Music Folder Path

Open the Navidrome.toml file. Find this line:

MusicFolder = “/old/path/to/music”

Change the old path to the new one:

MusicFolder = “/new/path/to/music”

If using Docker, open the docker-compose.yml file:

Environment:

  – ND_MUSICFOLDER=/new/path/to/music

Also, update the Docker folder link:

Volumes:

  – /new/path/to/music:/music:ro

It is very important to check that the path is written correctly. Learn here how you can install Navidrome on Windows!

Step 3: Verify File Permissions

Now it is time to check if Navidrome can open the new music files.

• Make sure the Navidrome user can read all the files.
• For Docker, make sure the container can see the new folder.
• For shared folders, make sure the drive is working.

If Navidrome cannot read the files, they will not be shown.

Step 4: Restart the Navidrome Service

After the music folder is changed, Navidrome must be restarted.

• On systems using systemd, use this command:

sudo systemctl restart navidrome

• On Docker, use these steps:

docker-compose down

docker-compose up -d

• On QNAP or Cloudron, restart Navidrome using the restart button.

Restarting will make Navidrome see the new folder.

Step 5: Trigger a Full Library Scan

Once Navidrome is restarted, go to the Navidrome web screen. Click on Activity and then press the Scan button. This will start a new scan.

Navidrome will now read the new music folder and find all the songs.

The scan may take a little time if there are many songs. After the scan you can find and share your Navidrome playlist in your social circle.

Step 6: Verify the Music Library

After the scan, it is important to check that everything is working.

• Look to see if all the music shows up.
• Check that the album pictures and song names are correct.
• Try to play some songs to see if they work well.

If anything is missing, check the folder path again and make sure Navidrome can read the files.

Step 7: Clean Up Old Data

If the old music folder is not needed anymore, it can be removed to save space. But do not delete anything until the new folder is working very well.

Be sure to finish all checks before cleaning the old folders.

Special Considerations for Docker Users

Docker users need to be careful when changing the music folder.

• The folder links and paths must be changed in the Docker settings.
• Make sure the host machine can see the folder.
• The folder must be read-only for safety.
• Restart Docker the right way.

The best way to manage Docker volume mounts is to use full folder paths and check that the folder is ready before starting Docker again.

Special Considerations for QNAP Users

QNAP users can use the QNAP screen to change the folder.

• Open the QNAP screen to change the folder path.
• Make sure shared folders are open and readable.
• Restart Navidrome using the QNAP restart button.

Following these simple steps will help QNAP work smoothly.

Troubleshooting Tips

If Navidrome does not find the new music folder:

• Check the folder path carefully for mistakes.
• Make sure Navidrome can read the new files.
• Restart Navidrome fully.
• Check the Navidrome logs to find any errors.

If the music library does not update:

• Clear the Navidrome cache.
• Check the scan time settings.
• Start a new scan from the Navidrome screen.

These steps can help fix common problems quickly.

Advantages of Using a Properly Configured Music Folder

Using the right music folder has many good points:

• Music scans work faster.
• Music plays better without stops.
• Music files are easy to keep safe.
• Music names and pictures show up correctly.

Changing the music folder helps make Navidrome work better when it is done the right way.

Maintaining the Music Folder for Future Use

After the music folder is changed, it is good to:

• Keep music files in clear and neat folders.
• Check folder reading rights from time to time.
• Try not to move the folder again and again.
• Save music files on another drive to keep them safe.

Looking after the music folder helps Navidrome stay fast and useful.

Conclusion

Changing the music folder on Navidrome can be easy when each step is done carefully. Getting ready, changing the folder path, checking the files, restarting Navidrome, and scanning the library will help everything work well on the Navidrome client apps.

These steps will help people using Docker, systemd, QNAP, Cloudron, or other ways to install Navidrome. Always remember to do a full scan and check that all music is showing up correctly. Taking care to set the music folder the right way will make music playing smooth and enjoyable.