Kodi TV Show File Naming: Seasons, Episodes and Specials

When Kodi misses episodes or assigns the wrong titles, check the show folder and episode numbering before reinstalling anything. A clean S01E01 pattern gives the scanner an explicit season and episode reference. The numbers must also match the ordering used by your metadata provider.

The sample below is fictional. Use it as a naming model for media you own or are authorised to access, not as a source of television downloads.

Keep the show and episode identifiers clear

TV Shows/
  Example Series (2022)/
    Season 01/
      Example Series (2022) S01E01.mkv
      Example Series (2022) S01E02.mkv
    Season 02/
      Example Series (2022) S02E01.mkv

Kodi documents one folder per show and using its title and year to help identify the series. Its TV show folder guide covers that structure. The episode naming guide explains how season and episode identifiers drive matching.

Check the episode order before renaming

A file can have a tidy name and still point to the wrong episode. Compare its actual contents with the episode listing used by your configured scraper. Broadcast and disc ordering can differ, so “episode three” is not always enough information.

Build a small verification sheet: current filename, actual episode title and intended season/episode identifier. Resolve ambiguous files before running a bulk rename.

Diagnose a missing episode in stages

1. Confirm the file exists. Open the storage location and check that Kodi can access it. A missing network file is not a scraper problem.
2. Confirm the series match. Check the show’s identity before investigating individual episodes. A remake matched as the original can affect the entire season.
3. Check the numbering. Remove ambiguity from the filename and compare it with the metadata provider’s episode list.
4. Test one corrected episode. Inspect the displayed title and play the beginning to confirm it is the intended file.
5. Repeat only after success. Keep an original-path record until the season has been verified.

Specials and combined files need extra care

Kodi’s documentation describes season-zero numbering for specials, but the correct episode number depends on the information provider. Check the relevant listing rather than assigning every extra video S00E01.

A file containing several episodes also needs a supported multi-episode pattern. The documented options differ by Kodi version. Do not apply a newer range syntax to an older installation without checking compatibility.

Frequently asked questions

Should I organise movies and TV shows the same way?

No. Use our movie naming guide for title-and-year movie organisation and an episode-aware structure for television.

Should I delete duplicated library entries immediately?

First determine which physical paths they represent. Make a checked backup before broad library changes.