Seeding Configuration¶

Configure intelligent seeding management with per-torrent and per-tracker rules for ratio limits, seeding time, and automatic cleanup.

Overview¶

qBitrr provides granular control over torrent seeding behavior:

• Global seeding limits - Apply to all torrents in an Arr category
• Per-tracker overrides - Different rules for different trackers
• Ratio-based removal - Remove after upload/download ratio reached
• Time-based removal - Remove after seeding duration
• Combined conditions - Remove when ratio OR/AND time met
• Rate limiting - Control upload/download speeds per torrent
• Dead tracker cleanup - Remove non-responsive trackers

Key benefits:

• Comply with private tracker seeding requirements
• Automatically free up disk space
• Maintain healthy torrent ecosystems
• Optimize bandwidth usage
• Prevent hit-and-runs

Configuration Structure¶

Seeding is configured in the [<Arr>-<Name>.Torrent.SeedingMode] section:

[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.SeedingMode]
# Global seeding settings for this Arr instance

[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
# Per-tracker override for specific trackers

Global Seeding Settings¶

Complete Example¶

[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.SeedingMode]
# Rate limits (bytes per second, -1 = unlimited)
DownloadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1
UploadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1

# Seeding limits
MaxUploadRatio = 2.0     # Seed to 2:1 ratio
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours (3 days)

# Removal condition
RemoveTorrent = 3  # Remove when ratio OR time met

# Dead tracker management
RemoveDeadTrackers = false
RemoveTrackerWithMessage = [
  "skipping tracker announce (unreachable)",
  "No such host is known"
]

DownloadRateLimitPerTorrent¶

DownloadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1

Type: Integer (bytes per second) Default: -1 (unlimited)

Limit download speed for individual torrents managed by this Arr instance.

Values:

• -1 - Unlimited (default)
• 1048576 - 1 MB/s
• 5242880 - 5 MB/s
• 10485760 - 10 MB/s

Use cases:

• Slow connections - prevent one torrent from saturating bandwidth
• Background downloads - limit while torrents complete
• Fair sharing - distribute bandwidth across torrents

Example:

# Limit to 5 MB/s per torrent
DownloadRateLimitPerTorrent = 5242880

UploadRateLimitPerTorrent¶

UploadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1

Type: Integer (bytes per second) Default: -1 (unlimited)

Limit upload speed for individual torrents.

Use cases:

• Preserve download bandwidth
• Meet minimum ratio without excessive upload
• Comply with ISP upload limits

Example:

# Limit to 2 MB/s per torrent
UploadRateLimitPerTorrent = 2097152

MaxUploadRatio¶

MaxUploadRatio = 2.0

Type: Float Default: -1 (unlimited)

Maximum upload ratio (uploaded/downloaded) before triggering removal.

Ratio calculation:

Ratio = Total Uploaded ÷ Total Downloaded

Examples:

Common values:

• -1 - Never remove based on ratio (unlimited seeding)
• 1.0 - Minimum for most private trackers
• 1.5 - Generous seeding
• 2.0 - Very generous
• 5.0 - Maximum for some trackers

MaxSeedingTime¶

MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours

Type: Integer (seconds) Default: -1 (unlimited)

Maximum seeding duration before triggering removal.

Time conversions:

Use cases:

• Public trackers: 1-3 days sufficient
• Private trackers: Often require 48-72 hours minimum
• Music trackers: May require weeks or months
• Long-term seeding: 30+ days for rare content

Example:

# Seed for 7 days
MaxSeedingTime = 604800

RemoveTorrent¶

RemoveTorrent = 3

Type: Integer Default: -1 (never remove)

Controls when qBitrr removes torrents based on seeding limits.

Options:

Comparison:

# Example: MaxUploadRatio = 2.0, MaxSeedingTime = 259200 (3 days)

Recommendations:

RemoveDeadTrackers¶

RemoveDeadTrackers = false

Type: Boolean Default: false

Automatically remove tracker entries that return errors.

When true:

• qBitrr monitors tracker announce responses
• Removes trackers matching RemoveTrackerWithMessage errors
• Keeps working trackers

Use cases:

• Tracker shutdown/migration
• Clean up dead backup trackers
• Maintain healthy tracker lists

RemoveTrackerWithMessage¶

RemoveTrackerWithMessage = [
  "skipping tracker announce (unreachable)",
  "No such host is known",
  "unsupported URL protocol",
  "info hash is not authorized with this tracker"
]

Type: Array of strings Default: See example above

Error messages that trigger tracker removal (when RemoveDeadTrackers = true).

Common error messages:

RemoveTrackerWithMessage = [
  # Network errors
  "skipping tracker announce (unreachable)",
  "No such host is known",
  "timed out",

  # DNS errors
  "Could not resolve host",
  "temporary failure in name resolution",

  # Authentication errors
  "info hash is not authorized with this tracker",
  "unregistered torrent",

  # Protocol errors
  "unsupported URL protocol"
]

Per-Tracker Configuration¶

Override global settings for specific trackers using [[<Arr>-<Name>.Torrent.Trackers]] sections.

Complete Tracker Example¶

[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
# Tracker identification
Name = "BeyondHD"
Priority = 10
URI = "https://tracker.beyond-hd.me/announce"

# Seeding requirements
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 432000  # 5 days

# Rate limits
DownloadRateLimit = -1
UploadRateLimit = 5242880  # 5 MB/s

# Tracker management
AddTrackerIfMissing = false
RemoveIfExists = false
SuperSeedMode = false

# Tagging
AddTags = ["BeyondHD", "private"]

Tracker Fields¶

Name¶

Name = "BeyondHD"

Type: String Purpose: Human-readable identifier (for your reference only)

Not used by qBitrr currently, but may be used for logging/reporting in future versions.

Priority¶

Priority = 10

Type: Integer Default: 0

When a torrent has multiple trackers, the tracker with the highest priority has its settings applied.

Example:

[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "BeyondHD"
Priority = 10  # Highest priority
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0

[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "Public Fallback"
Priority = 5  # Lower priority
MaxUploadRatio = 2.0

# Torrent with both trackers → Uses BeyondHD settings (ratio 1.0)

URI¶

URI = "https://tracker.beyond-hd.me/announce"

Type: String (tracker announce URL) Required: Yes

The tracker announce URL as it appears in qBittorrent.

How to find:

1. In qBittorrent, select a torrent
2. Right-click → Properties → Trackers tab
3. Copy the announce URL exactly

Must match exactly (including protocol, subdomain, path, passkey).

MaximumETA¶

MaximumETA = 18000  # 5 hours

Type: Integer (seconds) Default: Inherits from [<Arr>-<Name>.Torrent].MaximumETA

Override the maximum allowed download ETA for this tracker.

Use cases:

• Slow private trackers (rare content) - higher ETA
• Fast public trackers - lower ETA
• Freeleech torrents - higher tolerance

MaxUploadRatio / MaxSeedingTime¶

Override global seeding limits for this tracker:

MaxUploadRatio = 1.5
MaxSeedingTime = 604800  # 7 days

Example - Different tracker requirements:

# Private tracker - strict requirements
[[Radarr-4K.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "PassThePopcorn"
URI = "https://please.passthepopcorn.me:2443/announce"
Priority = 10
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours minimum

# Public tracker - lenient
[[Radarr-4K.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "YTS"
URI = "udp://open.stealth.si:80/announce"
Priority = 5
MaxUploadRatio = 0.5
MaxSeedingTime = 86400  # 24 hours

DownloadRateLimit / UploadRateLimit¶

Per-tracker rate limiting:

DownloadRateLimit = -1
UploadRateLimit = 2097152  # 2 MB/s

AddTrackerIfMissing¶

AddTrackerIfMissing = false

Type: Boolean Default: false

Automatically add this tracker to torrents that don't have it.

When true:

• qBitrr checks if torrent has this tracker
• If missing, adds tracker announce URL
• Useful for adding backup trackers

Use case: Add public tracker backups to private torrents.

RemoveIfExists¶

RemoveIfExists = false

Type: Boolean Default: false

Remove this tracker from any torrent that has it.

Use case: Remove old/shutdown trackers automatically.

SuperSeedMode¶

SuperSeedMode = false

Type: Boolean Default: false

Enable qBittorrent's "super seeding" mode for torrents with this tracker.

What is super seeding?

• Optimized for initial seeding
• Sends different pieces to each peer
• More efficient for new torrents
• Slower overall, but better distribution

Recommendation: true only for initial seeds on slow trackers.

AddTags¶

AddTags = ["private", "BeyondHD", "keep-seeding"]

Type: Array of strings Default: [] (empty)

Automatically add tags to torrents with this tracker.

Use cases:

• Organize by tracker
• Mark private vs public
• Flag for special handling
• Integration with other tools

Configuration Examples¶

Example 1: Public Tracker (Generous Seeding)¶

[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.SeedingMode]
DownloadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1
UploadRateLimitPerTorrent = -1
MaxUploadRatio = 2.0     # Seed to 2:1
MaxSeedingTime = 604800  # 7 days
RemoveTorrent = 3        # Remove when either met
RemoveDeadTrackers = true

Result: Seeds to 2:1 ratio or 7 days, whichever comes first.

Example 2: Private Tracker (Strict Requirements)¶

[Radarr-Private.Torrent.SeedingMode]
MaxUploadRatio = 1.5
MaxSeedingTime = 432000  # 5 days
RemoveTorrent = 4        # Remove only when BOTH met
RemoveDeadTrackers = false  # Keep all trackers

Result: Must seed to 1.5:1 ratio AND 5 days before removal.

Example 3: Mixed Setup with Per-Tracker Rules¶

[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.SeedingMode]
# Global defaults (conservative)
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 3 days
RemoveTorrent = 3

# Private tracker - higher requirements
[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "BeyondHD"
Priority = 10
URI = "https://tracker.beyond-hd.me/announce"
MaxUploadRatio = 1.5
MaxSeedingTime = 432000  # 5 days
AddTags = ["private", "BeyondHD"]

# Public tracker - lenient
[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "YTS"
Priority = 5
URI = "udp://open.stealth.si:80/announce"
MaxUploadRatio = 0.5
MaxSeedingTime = 86400  # 1 day
AddTags = ["public", "YTS"]

Example 4: Music Tracker (Long-term Seeding)¶

[Lidarr-Music.Torrent.SeedingMode]
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 6220800  # 72 hours minimum (RED/OPS requirement)
RemoveTorrent = 2  # Remove based on time only
RemoveDeadTrackers = false

[[Lidarr-Music.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "RED"
Priority = 10
URI = "https://flacsfor.me/announce"
MaxUploadRatio = -1  # Never remove based on ratio
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours
AddTags = ["RED", "music", "lossless"]

Example 5: Freeleech Torrents (Seed Forever)¶

[Radarr-Freeleech.Torrent.SeedingMode]
MaxUploadRatio = -1  # Never remove
MaxSeedingTime = -1  # Never remove
RemoveTorrent = -1   # Never remove

[[Radarr-Freeleech.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "Freeleech Tracker"
URI = "https://tracker.example.com/announce"
Priority = 10
AddTags = ["freeleech", "permanent-seed"]

Import Mode and Seeding¶

The importMode setting affects seeding behavior:

Copy Mode (Recommended for Seeding)¶

[Radarr-Movies]
importMode = "Copy"

What happens:

1. Download completes
2. Arr copies files to library
3. Original files remain in download folder
4. Torrent continues seeding

Pros:

• Preserves torrents for seeding
• Meets tracker requirements
• Maintains ratio

Cons:

• Uses more disk space (2x)
• Slower import (copy operation)

Move Mode (Frees Disk Space)¶

[Radarr-Movies]
importMode = "Move"

What happens:

1. Download completes
2. Arr moves files to library
3. Torrent can no longer seed (files missing)
4. qBitrr removes torrent

Pros:

• Saves disk space
• Faster import (move operation)

Cons:

• Can't seed after import
• May violate private tracker rules
• Hit-and-run risk

Tracker-Specific Recommendations¶

Private Movie Trackers¶

PassThePopcorn, BeyondHD, etc.

MaxUploadRatio = 1.0  # Minimum required
MaxSeedingTime = 432000  # 5 days
RemoveTorrent = 4  # Both conditions
importMode = "Copy"

Private TV Trackers¶

BTN, MTV, etc.

MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 3 days
RemoveTorrent = 4
importMode = "Copy"

Private Music Trackers¶

RED, OPS, APL

MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours minimum
RemoveTorrent = 2  # Time-based (ratio harder for music)
importMode = "Copy"

Public Trackers¶

RARBG, YTS, EZTV, etc.

MaxUploadRatio = 1.0  # Be generous
MaxSeedingTime = 86400  # 1 day
RemoveTorrent = 3  # Either condition
importMode = "Move"  # Save space

Monitoring Seeding¶

WebUI¶

View seeding status:

1. Open http://localhost:6969/ui
2. Navigate to Arr tab
3. Check torrent status and ratio

qBittorrent¶

Check seeding in qBittorrent:

1. Open qBittorrent WebUI
2. View ratio, upload speed, seeding time
3. Sort by ratio or seeding time

Logs¶

Monitor seeding removal in logs:

tail -f ~/logs/Radarr-Movies.log | grep -i "remov\|seed\|ratio"

Example log output:

2025-11-27 14:00:00 - INFO - Torrent reached 2.0 ratio: The Matrix (1999)
2025-11-27 14:00:05 - INFO - Removing torrent (ratio met): The Matrix (1999)
2025-11-27 14:00:10 - INFO - Torrent seeded for 7 days: Inception (2010)
2025-11-27 14:00:15 - INFO - Removing torrent (time met): Inception (2010)

Troubleshooting¶

Torrents Not Removed¶

Symptom: Torrents continue seeding past limits

Solutions:

1. Check RemoveTorrent setting:

   RemoveTorrent = 3  # Must not be -1
   

2. Verify limits are set:

   MaxUploadRatio = 2.0  # Must not be -1
   MaxSeedingTime = 604800  # Must not be -1
   

3. Check import mode:

   importMode = "Copy"  # Files must exist for seeding
   

4. Review logs:

   grep -i "seed\|ratio" ~/logs/Radarr-Movies.log
   

Removed Too Early¶

Symptom: Torrents removed before meeting requirements

Solutions:

1. Increase limits:

   MaxUploadRatio = 2.0  # Up from 1.0
   MaxSeedingTime = 604800  # 7 days instead of 3
   

2. Change removal condition:

   RemoveTorrent = 4  # Require BOTH (was 3 = OR)
   

3. Check per-tracker overrides:

4. Ensure tracker settings aren't overriding globals
5. Verify tracker URI matches exactly

Hit-and-Run Warnings¶

Symptom: Private tracker warnings about insufficient seeding

Solutions:

1. Use Copy mode:

   importMode = "Copy"
   

2. Increase seeding requirements:

   MaxUploadRatio = 1.5  # Higher than tracker minimum
   MaxSeedingTime = 432000  # 5 days
   RemoveTorrent = 4  # Require both
   

3. Never remove:

   RemoveTorrent = -1  # Seed forever
   

4. Check tracker rules:

5. Review minimum seeding requirements
6. Set qBitrr limits above minimums

Best Practices¶

1. Know Your Tracker Requirements¶

Before configuring:

• Read tracker rules carefully
• Note minimum ratio requirements
• Note minimum seeding time
• Check hit-and-run policies

2. Set Limits Above Minimums¶

# Tracker requires 1.0 ratio and 48 hours
# Set qBitrr to 1.5 ratio and 72 hours for safety margin

MaxUploadRatio = 1.5
MaxSeedingTime = 259200  # 72 hours

3. Use Copy Mode for Private Trackers¶

[Radarr-Private]
importMode = "Copy"

Never risk hit-and-runs.

4. Test with Public Trackers First¶

• Configure public tracker seeding first
• Monitor for a few days
• Verify removal works correctly
• Then apply to private trackers

5. Monitor Disk Space¶

With importMode = "Copy":

[Settings]
FreeSpace = "100G"  # Ensure adequate free space
AutoPauseResume = true

6. Use Per-Tracker Rules for Mixed Setups¶

Different trackers have different requirements - configure accordingly:

# Conservative global default
[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.SeedingMode]
MaxUploadRatio = 2.0
MaxSeedingTime = 604800

# Specific tracker overrides
[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "Private1"
MaxUploadRatio = 1.5
MaxSeedingTime = 432000

[[Radarr-Movies.Torrent.Trackers]]
Name = "Public1"
MaxUploadRatio = 1.0
MaxSeedingTime = 86400

See Also¶

• qBittorrent Configuration - qBittorrent setup
• Instant Imports - Import behavior and seeding
• Radarr Configuration - Radarr instance setup
• Sonarr Configuration - Sonarr instance setup
• Lidarr Configuration - Lidarr instance setup
• Config File Reference - All configuration options