jellyfin-telemetry.exe

Jellyfin Telemetry Service

Application ProcessSafeTelemetry

CPU Usage

0.5-4%

Memory

20-100 MB

Location

C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server

Publisher

The Jellyfin Project

Quick Answer

jellyfin-telemetry.exe is safe. It's a legitimate Jellyfin telemetry component that collects anonymized usage data to help improve server performance and reliability.

Is it a Virus?

NO - Safe

Must be located at C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-telemetry.exe

Warning

Telemetry typically runs in background

Telemetry collects anonymous data and may run during server activity

Can I Disable?

YES

Disable in Jellyfin Admin Dashboard > Settings > Telemetry or in config

What is jellyfin-telemetry.exe?

jellyfin-telemetry.exe is the lightweight telemetry component of Jellyfin Media Server. It runs in the background to collect anonymous usage statistics and health signals from the server, then reports them to the Jellyfin project. This helps developers optimize performance, reliability, and feature quality while preserving user privacy.

Telemetry gathers anonymous metrics such as server version, connected clients, library scan events, and error counts. Data is batched and sent to the server's telemetry endpoint, typically over HTTPS, with no personal user identifiers unless configured.

Quick Fact: Jellyfin's telemetry is designed to be privacy-conscious and can be adjusted or disabled by server admins.

Types of Jellyfin Processes

Telemetry Process: Responsible for collecting and sending usage data
Server Process: Jellyfin core server handling media requests
Background Task: Library scans and health checks

Is jellyfin-telemetry.exe Safe?

Yes, jellyfin-telemetry.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Jellyfin downloaded from official sources.

Is jellyfin-telemetry.exe a Virus or Malware?

The real jellyfin-telemetry.exe is NOT a virus. However, malware sometimes disguises itself using similar names to trick users.

How to Tell if jellyfin-telemetry.exe is Legitimate or Malware

File Location: Must be in C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-telemetry.exe or a valid Jellyfin-compatible path. Any jellyfin-telemetry.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
Digital Signature: Right-click the file path C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-telemetry.exe -> Properties -> Digital Signatures. Should show a Jellyfin signature.
Resource Usage: Normal usage is 0.5-4% CPU and 20-100 MB memory. Extremely high usage when the server is idle is suspicious.
Behavior: Telemetry should run with Jellyfin and only send anonymized data when configured. If it starts independently or in isolation, investigate.

Red Flags: If jellyfin-telemetry.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData, or System32), runs when Jellyfin is not active, has no digital signature, or uses constant high resources, scan with antivirus and verify server integrity. Be wary of similarly-named files.

Why Is jellyfin-telemetry.exe Running on My PC?

jellyfin-telemetry.exe runs to support server health checks, usage analytics, and reported status from a Jellyfin Media Server instance.

Reasons it's running:

Active Jellyfin Server Activity: Telemetry runs while the server serves clients and handles library operations.
Background Data Collection: Periodic collection of operational metrics and anonymized usage data.
Health Checks and Reporting: Automatic error counts and health signals are gathered for diagnostics.
Startup and Initialization: Telemetry starts when Jellyfin Server starts or on server startup tasks.
Configuration and Plugins: Telemetry behavior may be influenced by server configuration and installed plugins.

Can I Disable or Remove jellyfin-telemetry.exe?

Yes, you can disable jellyfin-telemetry.exe. It's safe to run Jellyfin without telemetry, though you may lose some telemetry-driven insights.

How to Stop jellyfin-telemetry.exe

Disable Telemetry in Jellyfin: Admin Dashboard > Settings > Telemetry / Privacy, then turn off telemetry submission.
Close Server or Stop Telemetry Process: In Windows, open Task Manager, locate jellyfin-telemetry.exe, and End Task.
Prevent Startup: Task Manager > Startup tab > Disable Jellyfin server if you do not want automatic start.
Stop Background Apps: Within Jellyfin settings, disable 'Continue running background tasks' if available.

How to Uninstall Jellyfin Server

✔ Windows Settings -> Apps -> Apps & Features -> Jellyfin Server -> Uninstall
✔ Control Panel -> Programs -> Uninstall a program -> Jellyfin Server -> Uninstall
✔ Backup and remove data directories as needed; you may reinstall Jellyfin later.

Common Problems: High CPU or Memory Usage

If jellyfin-telemetry.exe is consuming excessive resources:

Common Causes & Solutions

Too Many Devices or Sessions Active: Telemetry reflects server load; reduce clients or adjust telemetry sampling if available.
Outdated Jellyfin Server: Update Jellyfin to latest release to fix telemetry performance.
Background Data Upload: Check privacy settings; disable telemetry or schedule uploads to off-peak hours.
Malicious Extensions or Plugins: Audit server plugins; disable or remove suspicious ones.
Network Constraints: Ensure firewall allows https to telemetry endpoint if you want to send data; otherwise disable.
Hardware Acceleration or Library Scans: Tune Jellyfin settings; adjust scanning frequency or disable heavy tasks.

Quick Fixes:
1. Open Jellyfin Admin Dashboard > Telemetry to disable if needed.
2. Restart Jellyfin service after changes.
3. Check for plugin updates and remove suspicious plugins.
4. Update Jellyfin to the latest version.
5. Limit library scans or schedule during low activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is jellyfin-telemetry.exe a virus?

No, the legitimate jellyfin-telemetry.exe is part of Jellyfin Server and located under C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server. Verify with signature and source.

What data does jellyfin-telemetry.exe collect?

It collects anonymous usage metrics, server version, connected client counts, and health signals. No personal data is sent unless configured.

Can I disable jellyfin telemetry?

Yes. Use the Jellyfin Admin Dashboard to disable telemetry, or stop the process from Task Manager and remove startup triggers.

How do I stop jellyfin-telemetry.exe at startup?

Disable Jellyfin Telemetry in settings and/or disable the Jellyfin service from Windows Startup to prevent automatic launch.

Where is jellyfin telemetry located on Windows?

Usually at C:\Program Files\Jellyfin\Server\jellyfin-telemetry.exe. Verify the path before making changes.

Is telemetry safe for privacy?

Telemetry is designed to be privacy-preserving with anonymized data. You can disable or adjust it if you have privacy concerns.

How do I update Jellyfin to ensure legitimate telemetry?

Keep Jellyfin server updated via official releases; telemetry is shipped with the server and benefits from versioned updates.

Related Processes

jellyfin-server.exe

Jellyfin Media Server main executable