# Fixing Broken Media Links - Missing Media **URL:** \ **Category:** RootsMagic\ **Tags:** question\ **Created:** [July 30, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026 "2026-07-30T20:42:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/1 "2026-07-30T20:42:44Z")
Hi All, I have a number of broken media links which RM is unable to fix as the media files appear to be completely missing from my hard drive. I was able to generate a list of the broken/missing media files, but RM does not tell me what person, fact or source the media file is associated with. Many of my media files have non-descript file names. Is anyone aware of a way to determine what the media files were associated with? Without knowing what the media was tied to, I don’t know how to determine what needs to be replaced. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![kevync1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3be4f8/32.png) [@kevync1985](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevync1985)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/2 "2026-07-30T20:47:12Z")
Sounds like the files may have been either delete or removed. If that is the case your work will be more challenging as likely need to be done manually. you may need to re download. > **[Multimedia List](https://help.rootsmagic.com/RM11/multimedia-list.html?q=media+report)** > > Lists multimedia items in your database. This list also shows you the location (directory and file name on your computer) of each scrapbook item. If RootsMagic cannot find a... Not sure if the media list will help for that scenario… I would use outside tools but that is not for everyone . > **[Fix broken media links](https://help.rootsmagic.com/RM11/fix-broken-media-links.html?q=find+media)** > > When media has been moved, renamed or deleted from the computer the link to it will become broken. A red X will appear in the lower right corner of the media thumbnail to show... ---
**Author:** ![rzamor1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.rootsmagic.com/rzamor1/32/8_2.png) [@rzamor1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/rzamor1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/3 "2026-07-30T21:07:51Z")
Search for the media filename on the Media page. Then click on Tags to see where it was used. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 9:09pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/4 "2026-07-30T21:09:16Z")
Yes, I understand I will need to re-download. I just don’t know what I need to re-download because I can’t find a way to determine what person, fact or source the missing media file was associated with. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/5 "2026-07-30T21:32:42Z")
Thanks Renee! That gets me closer. If the tag is a citation, does that mean the file was attached to the citation and not to a fact? When I select Tags, it says the Type is Citation, but what it’s showing me is a Source I think. When I go to that Source, it may have multiple citations. I guess I’m still stuck figuring out what the missing media file is. Also, I’m seeing several where there are no tags. What does that mean? ---
**Author:** ![kbens0n](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.rootsmagic.com/kbens0n/32/80_2.png) [@kbens0n](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kbens0n)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/6 "2026-07-30T22:15:23Z")
> [@dlmuntz1](#): > > but RM does not tell me what person, fact or source the media file is associated with. Under Other panel, clicking the Tags far right arrow (and maybe even just double-clicking that line) should show where it was linked. ![Screenshot 2026-07-30 180643](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/9/9041f7482f4ea3265040c65367653c29561a2665.png) > [@dlmuntz1](#): > > Is anyone aware of a way to determine what the media files were associated with? Use File\>Restore to bring back an earlier version of the database (from a previous Backup) to some temporary folder (other than the one for the existing database) so as not to overwrite the most recent one. They should be (tagged) linked there, if they aren’t in the latest. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/7 "2026-07-30T22:55:44Z")
The tag takes me to the “Citation” which I think is really the Source. When I go to the Sources page, I may see multiple sources with that same name (not sure why or how that occurs, maybe from TreeShare?) and each source may have multiple citations. If I pick one and then select “Used”, it will give me a list of facts and people associated with that citation, but then I have to figure out which person/fact has the broken media link. Seems like there should be a more direct way to find it. ![image.png](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/3/38e1f59683ca70676646c982fb09733dd5e94298.png) ![image.png](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/3/3e9d175e58f9742a68421cbc06e1fcc4e661eefe.png) ---
**Author:** ![kevync1985](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3be4f8/32.png) [@kevync1985](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevync1985)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2026, 11:09pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/8 "2026-07-30T23:09:40Z")
> [@dlmuntz1](#): > > Yes, I understand I will need to re-download. I just don’t know what I need to re-download because I can’t find a way to determine what person, fact or source the missing media file was associated with. one way here ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/1/1ac51dd4374086d1c5a6181c6f72fe5f719a4165.png) I think other have given better advise of how to do in RM UI – its just not best design for handing that problem/scenario ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/85e7bf/32.png) [@kevinm](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/9 "2026-07-31T03:59:23Z")
There is an easier way to find the person and fact that a media item is attached to. Backing up a bit, you are correct that if the media tag = citation, then the file was attached to a citation. But there’s no need to go to the Sources menu. After you click on Tags on the Edit Media pane as Renee indicated, highlight the Citation tag and then click on the pencil (edit) icon. ![Screenshot 2026-07-30 at 8.55.40 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/1/1f9933de3651d1fc805d860dca58bfc846fa34d7.jpeg) That will open up the exact Citation that the Media was attached to. If the Citation Name doesn’t identify things for you, click on “Citation Used”. That will display the Person(s) and Fact or Event type(s) that the citation (and the media) has been attached to. ![Screenshot 2026-07-30 at 8.41.33 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/1/1bb34ce847a4fc741d67154e923a1eb3acc026f0.jpeg) One last tip is to remember that the Media Filename that displays in the Edit Media pane contains the file path, which = the location of the media at the time when it was added to the RM file. If you renamed the media outside of the RM app or moved it to a different folder the media link will break. It may be hiding, not lost. ---
**Author:** ![Rooty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Rooty](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/Rooty)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 2:48pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/10 "2026-07-31T14:48:49Z")
1. '1. you need to find and download the media file not what it was linked to. 1. your real problem is the use of meaningless media file names. give each file a content related name and use nested subfolders (ie jones r smith m). This lets you easily locate media and link or discard new new items. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/11 "2026-07-31T18:24:25Z")
Thank you Kevin! This is exactly what I needed. Now I just need to go back and find/download the media files again. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/12 "2026-07-31T18:28:28Z")
Yes, I’m well aware. When I download files directly myself, I have a file naming convention I use and have a defined folder structure as well. I believe all of these files with the non-descript file names are those I’ve downloaded from [Ancestry.com](http://Ancestry.com) via TreeShare. This is likely also what has led to the multiple sources with the same source name. TreeShare makes it easy, but it does result in some of these issues. ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/13 "2026-07-31T19:43:30Z")
Kevin, Any thoughts on how to find the person or fact when there is no tag? I assume this means the media is attached to a fact and not a citation? ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/8/8735095bfa11089aaad7f7c8a0f26ae9421f626a.png) ---
**Author:** ![kevinm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/85e7bf/32.png) [@kevinm](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/kevinm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 8:12pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/14 "2026-07-31T20:12:27Z")
> [@dlmuntz1](#): > > Any thoughts on how to find the person or fact when there is no tag? I assume this means the media is attached to a fact and not a citation? If there is no tag, then the media is not attached to anything in the db. This can happen if the thing that the media was originally tagged to (ie person, source, citation, etc.) has been deleted from the db or if you manually add media and then forget to tag it to anything. If the media was attached to a Person or a Fact it would display as such when you click on tags ![Screenshot 2026-07-31 at 1.07.24 PM](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/rootsmagic/original/2X/c/c9682826f0b7dc3b0598eba0e0ab7663bafc5a79.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![dlmuntz1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed8c4c/32.png) [@dlmuntz1](https://community.rootsmagic.com/u/dlmuntz1)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.rootsmagic.com/t/fixing-broken-media-links-missing-media/16026/15 "2026-07-31T20:38:53Z")
Thank you Kevin. I appreciate the expertise and the help.