Check whether the original file still exists
An item disappearing from the interface and its source file being removed from storage are different outcomes. If a deleted item returns after a library scan, identify the actual source path and whether the file remains there. Do not repeatedly press Delete before understanding what the server was allowed to change.
Use Jellyfin’s permission explanation
Jellyfin’s user guide says media deletion can remove files from the filesystem when the required permissions exist. If the server cannot write to those files, an item may be removed temporarily and then found again during the next scan. The user’s deletion permission and the operating system’s filesystem permission therefore form separate parts of the operation. Read-only container mounts can also be intentional protection rather than an error to disable casually.
Choose the intended outcome with the administrator
For example, a family may want to hide an unwanted library item while preserving the original media archive. That goal should not be solved by granting broad filesystem deletion rights. If actual file removal is required, the authorised administrator should identify the correct file, preserve anything irreplaceable and use an appropriate supported workflow. After the change, inspect both the storage state and the library result. A scan finding a remaining file is different from a deleted file being restored from backup. Report the exact path context privately without publishing credentials or personal filenames.
Questions, answered
Can a returning item mean the source file was never deleted?
Yes. Jellyfin documents that outcome when the server lacks filesystem write permission.