Sonarr helps you automate tracking, downloading, and organizing TV shows across your devices. This guide walks you through installing, configuring, and fine tuning your setup so new episodes appear reliably without manual effort.
Use this walkthrough to match Sonarr to your media workflow, whether you rely on Usenet, torrents, or a mix of both.
| Component | Purpose | Typical Setting | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Central manager for TV series and downloads | Linux Docker or Windows service | Runs monitoring, queueing, and integration |
| Indexer | |||
| Download Client | |||
| Media Destination | |||
| Parsing and Renaming |
Pre Installation Checklist
Hardware and Network Requirements
Sonarr itself is lightweight, but your download clients, indexers, and file storage add demand. Reserve a modest amount of RAM and CPU for the host, and ensure your network can sustain the combined throughput of simultaneous downloads.
Folder Structure and Permissions Planning
Define show directories, incoming download folders, and completed paths before you add series. Confirm that the user account running Sonarr has read and write access to these locations, especially when you use a network attached storage device.
Download Clients Integration
Choosing Between qBittorrent and NZBGet
qBittorrent suits torrent workflows, while NZBGet targets NZB based indexers. Match your primary indexer type to the client, and verify queueing behavior, post download scripts, and bandwidth limits.
Configuring Automation Rules
Set up categories, save paths, and scripts so Sonarr can trigger imports automatically. Use consistent labels for series, and test a small download to confirm file naming, permissions, and library updates work as expected.
Indexer Configuration and Selection
Newznab and Torznab Options
Newznab providers offer structured API access, while Torznab expands compatibility across multiple torrent and NZB trackers. Compare retention, completion rates, and SSL support when you shortlist indexers.
Adding Multiple Indexers
Adding more than one indexer increases reliability and search coverage. Prioritize preferred providers, enable optional indexes for backlog searches, and monitor scoreboards to avoid throttling or blocks.
Series Management and Quality Profiles
Setting Quality Profiles
Define acceptable video resolutions, codecs, and release groups. Use quality profiles to differentiate between preferred, allowed, and blocked releases, and link them to specific series or tags.
Handling Unmet and Pending Episodes
Review pending searches, cutoff dates, and ignored episodes regularly. Adjust availability windows and search intervals to balance timely catches with server load.
Final Setup Recommendations
- Plan a clear folder structure for series and separate incomplete download directories
- Standardize naming formats and time zones before adding the first shows
- Start with one indexer and one download client, then expand gradually
- Enable SSL for indexer and client connections, even on local networks
- Schedule regular log reviews and backlog health checks
- Document your indexer keys, category names, and path settings in a secure location
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I fix Sonarr not grabbing new episodes from my indexer
Check the indexer status, confirm your API key and protocol settings, verify that the series folder paths are correct, and review the logs for timeout or authentication errors. Also ensure your download client queue is not stuck and that category mappings align with Sonarr labels.
Can Sonarr handle both torrent and NZB indexers at the same time
Yes, you can add multiple indexers of different types and tag series to prefer one source over another. Use distinct download client categories and quality profiles to route torrent and NZB downloads appropriately.
What should I do if episode files are not moving to the final library
Verify that the media destination is accessible to the Sonarr process, check watched folder settings in your download client, and ensure rules in Sonarr trigger automatic import. Look for rename conflicts, path mismatches, or permission blocks on the destination share.
Is it safe to run Sonarr inside a Docker container on my NAS
Running Sonarr in Docker on a NAS is common, but map volumes carefully for config, download watch folders, and media storage. Use the correct user IDs inside the container, enable necessary Linux capabilities, and expose only required ports to keep the system secure.