Error starting server - Migration failed

Description of the bug

I faced some streaming issues on my client. I then upgraded to the latest version in hope this would fix it. The newest version 10.11.11 did not fix the issue.

To check if an older version might be working I then tried to restore a built in backup. Jellyfin is unable to start since then. Jellyfin tells me that there is a migration issue. I have no clue what is going on as i am an amateur, up until now happy everything is working out of the box.

Can anybody tell me what is going on here and how to fix this? I made different backups over different versions andhope there is somewhere an easy fix and i dont have to start from scratch.

Reproduction steps

1. Try to restore a built in backup
2. Start Jellyfin again

What is the current bug behavior?

Jellyfin Server has encountered an error and was not able to start.

15.06.2026 15:56:44 +02:00 - Error while starting server
15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - Migration "20260522092303_AddNormalizedUsername" failed
15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - Error: "SQLite Error 1: 'duplicate column name: NormalizedUsername'."
15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - Failed executing DbCommand ("1"ms) [Parameters=[""], CommandType='Text', CommandTimeout='30']" ""ALTER TABLE \"Users\" ADD \"NormalizedUsername\" TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT '';"
15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - Migrate stage CoreInitialisation.
    15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - 20260522092303_AddNormalizedUsername
    15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - There are 1 migrations for stage CoreInitialisation.
15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Migrate stage PreInitialisation.
    15.06.2026 15:56:43 +02:00 - There are 0 migrations for stage PreInitialisation.
15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Migration Startup
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Initialise Migration service.
15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Migration Service
15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Storage Check
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Storage path `C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server` (Fixed) successfully checked with 57.4GiB free which is over the minimum of 2GiB.
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Check path C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server for storage capacity
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Storage path `C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\cache` (Fixed) successfully checked with 57.4GiB free which is over the minimum of 2GiB.
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Check path C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\cache for storage capacity
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Storage path `C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\data` (Fixed) successfully checked with 57.4GiB free which is over the minimum of 2GiB.
    15.06.2026 15:56:42 +02:00 - Check path C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\data for storage capacity

What is the expected correct behavior?

Jellyfin to start up (at any version).

Jellyfin Server version

10.11.11

Specify commit id

No response

Specify unstable release number

No response

Specify version number

No response

Specify the build version

V10.11.11 (currently not accessible as jellyfin is not starting)

Environment

- OS: Windows 10
- Linux Kernel: -
- Virtualization: -
- Clients: iOS App
- Browser: Firefox
- FFmpeg Version: 7.1.4
- Playback Method: Direct Play
- Hardware Acceleration: none
- CPU Model: 11th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-11400 @ 2.60GHz   2.59 GHz
- GPU Model: Intel(R) UHD Graphics 730
- Plugins: Intro-Skipper
- Reverse Proxy: none
- Base URL: -
- Networking: local server
- Jellyfin Data Storage & Filesystem: local SSD, local HDDs
- Media Storage & Filesystem: local HDDs
- External Integrations: -

Jellyfin logs

Restore backup....
[2026-06-15 13:50:06.846 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore and override "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\metadata\library\ff\fff8cf81fa99cbb866e31ab7a13cdc50\chapters\637066806431520269_3812400000.jpg"
[2026-06-15 13:50:06.847 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore and override "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\metadata\library\ff\fff8cf81fa99cbb866e31ab7a13cdc50\chapters\637066806431520269_7618800000.jpg"
[2026-06-15 13:50:06.848 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore and override "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\metadata\library\ff\fff8cf81fa99cbb866e31ab7a13cdc50\chapters\637066806431520269_9407600000.jpg"
[2026-06-15 13:50:06.917 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Begin restoring Database
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.020 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Begin purging database
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.509 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Database Purged
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.509 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "AccessSchedules"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.510 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "AccessSchedules"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.512 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 0 entries for "AccessSchedules"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.513 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ActivityLogs"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.514 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ActivityLogs"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.539 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 1572 entries for "ActivityLogs"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.540 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ApiKeys"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.540 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ApiKeys"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.541 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 0 entries for "ApiKeys"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.541 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Devices"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.542 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Devices"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.564 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 10 entries for "Devices"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.565 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "DeviceOptions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.565 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "DeviceOptions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.567 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 1 entries for "DeviceOptions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.567 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "DisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.568 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "DisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.572 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 3 entries for "DisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.573 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.573 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.574 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 0 entries for "ImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.574 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.575 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.578 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 3 entries for "ItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.578 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "CustomItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.579 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "CustomItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.580 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 22 entries for "CustomItemDisplayPreferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.581 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Permissions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.581 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Permissions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.583 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 72 entries for "Permissions"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.584 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Preferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.585 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Preferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.587 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 39 entries for "Preferences"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.587 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Users"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.588 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Users"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.597 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 3 entries for "Users"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.598 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "TrickplayInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.599 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "TrickplayInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.606 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 5 entries for "TrickplayInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.607 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "MediaSegments"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.608 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "MediaSegments"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.689 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 10604 entries for "MediaSegments"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.690 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "UserData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:07.691 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "UserData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.066 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 34356 entries for "UserData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.067 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "AncestorIds"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.068 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "AncestorIds"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.805 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 172559 entries for "AncestorIds"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.806 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "AttachmentStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.807 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "AttachmentStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.877 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 12701 entries for "AttachmentStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.878 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "BaseItems"
[2026-06-15 13:50:08.878 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "BaseItems"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.570 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 78308 entries for "BaseItems"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.571 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Chapters"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.572 +02:00] [INF] [24] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Chapters"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.945 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 24140 entries for "Chapters"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.947 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ItemValues"
[2026-06-15 13:50:13.947 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ItemValues"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.009 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 11249 entries for "ItemValues"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.010 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "ItemValuesMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.011 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "ItemValuesMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.731 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 87748 entries for "ItemValuesMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.732 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "MediaStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:14.733 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "MediaStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.454 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 88809 entries for "MediaStreamInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.455 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "Peoples"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.456 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "Peoples"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.600 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 31908 entries for "Peoples"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.602 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "PeopleBaseItemMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:16.602 +02:00] [INF] [10] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "PeopleBaseItemMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.123 +02:00] [INF] [29] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 141897 entries for "PeopleBaseItemMap"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.124 +02:00] [INF] [29] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "BaseItemProviders"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.125 +02:00] [INF] [29] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "BaseItemProviders"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.801 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 82934 entries for "BaseItemProviders"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.803 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "BaseItemImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:18.803 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "BaseItemImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.067 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 69524 entries for "BaseItemImageInfos"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.069 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "BaseItemMetadataFields"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.070 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "BaseItemMetadataFields"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.070 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 0 entries for "BaseItemMetadataFields"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.071 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "BaseItemTrailerTypes"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.072 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "BaseItemTrailerTypes"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.072 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 0 entries for "BaseItemTrailerTypes"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.073 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Read backup of "KeyframeData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.073 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restore backup of "KeyframeData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.154 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Prepared to restore 48 entries for "KeyframeData"
[2026-06-15 13:50:20.156 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Try restore Database
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.246 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restored database
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.249 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.Implementations.FullSystemBackup.BackupService: Restored Jellyfin system from 11/29/2025 00:09:58 +00:00
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.250 +02:00] [INF] [20] Main: Running query planner optimizations in the database... This might take a while
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.269 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.ApplicationHost: Disposing "CoreAppHost"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.270 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.ApplicationHost: Disposing "PluginManager"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.282 +02:00] [INF] [20] Jellyfin.Server.ServerSetupApp.SetupServer: Kestrel is listening on "0.0.0.0"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.296 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.AppBase.BaseConfigurationManager: Setting cache path: "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\cache"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.312 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.ApplicationHost: Loading assemblies
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.316 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.Plugins.PluginManager: Loaded assembly "Jellyfin.Plugin.Bookshelf, Version=13.0.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null" from "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\plugins\Bookshelf_13.0.0.0\Jellyfin.Plugin.Bookshelf.dll"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.322 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.Plugins.PluginManager: Loaded assembly "SharpCompress, Version=0.38.0.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=afb0a02973931d96" from "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\plugins\Bookshelf_13.0.0.0\SharpCompress.dll"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.324 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.Plugins.PluginManager: Loaded assembly "ZstdSharp, Version=0.8.1.0, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=8d151af33a4ad5cf" from "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\plugins\Bookshelf_13.0.0.0\ZstdSharp.dll"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.328 +02:00] [INF] [20] Emby.Server.Implementations.Plugins.PluginManager: Loaded assembly "IntroSkipper, Version=1.10.11.21, Culture=neutral, PublicKeyToken=null" from "C:\ProgramData\Jellyfin\Server\plugins\Intro Skipper_1.10.11.21\IntroSkipper.dll"
[2026-06-15 13:51:12.330 +