Custom format scores determine how Sonarr or Radarr evaluates releases that match specific custom formats. Recyclarr lets you manage these scores through configuration instead of changing each score manually inside the application. This is useful when you want consistent scoring across your media server or need different scoring rules for different quality profiles.
The score itself is configured in the Recyclarr YAML configuration under the relevant quality profile. After changing the value, a synchronization applies the configured score to the matching custom format in Sonarr or Radarr. The exact configuration structure depends on whether you are managing Sonarr or Radarr and which Recyclarr configuration format your version supports.
A score can be positive, negative, or zero. Positive values can increase the preference for releases matching a custom format, while negative values can make those releases less desirable. Understanding where the score is defined and how it is applied helps prevent unexpected changes to your download decisions.
Find the Quality Profile Configuration
Custom format scores are normally associated with a quality profile.
Start by locating the relevant quality profile section in your Recyclarr configuration. The profile determines which custom formats receive scores and what those scores should be.
A simplified example may look like:
quality_profiles:
- name: HD-1080p
custom_formats:
- name: Example Format
score: 100
The exact syntax can vary between Recyclarr versions and configuration formats, so use the structure supported by your installed release.
Change the Custom Format Score
Once you locate the custom format entry, change its score value.
For example:
custom_formats:
- name: Example Format
score: 100
could become:
custom_formats:
- name: Example Format
score: 250
After saving the configuration, run a Recyclarr synchronization.
The new value should be applied to the matching custom format and quality profile in Sonarr or Radarr.
Use Positive Scores
Positive scores increase the preference associated with a matching custom format.
For example:
score: 200
gives the format a positive score of 200.
The appropriate number depends on your overall scoring system. A higher score is not automatically better because custom format scores work in relation to the other scores assigned to releases.
Consider the complete scoring configuration rather than increasing one value without checking the others.
Use Negative Scores
Negative scores can be used when you want a matching custom format to reduce the overall release score.
For example:
score: -100
This can be useful for release characteristics that you want to discourage.
A negative custom format score does not necessarily mean that the release can never be selected. Its effect depends on the total score and the rest of the quality profile configuration.
Set a Score to Zero
A score of zero effectively removes the scoring effect of that custom format for the selected profile.
For example:
score: 0
The custom format can still exist and match releases, but it does not contribute a positive or negative score for that profile.
This can be useful when you want to keep a custom format available without using it as a preference signal.
Apply Different Scores to Different Profiles
Different quality profiles can use different scores for the same custom format.
For example, one profile might assign:
score: 100
while another uses:
score: 300
This allows the same custom format to have a different importance depending on the type of media being managed.
The configuration should clearly associate each score with the intended profile.
Change Scores for Sonarr
For Sonarr, locate the custom format scoring configuration associated with the relevant quality profile.
A conceptual example is:
sonarr:
series:
quality_profiles:
- name: HD-1080p
custom_formats:
- name: Example Format
score: 100
The actual structure should follow the Recyclarr configuration format supported by your version.
After making the change, synchronize the Sonarr instance and verify the score in the corresponding quality profile.
Change Scores for Radarr
Radarr uses the same general concept, but the configuration belongs to the Radarr instance and its quality profiles.
For example:
radarr:
movies:
quality_profiles:
- name: HD-1080p
custom_formats:
- name: Example Format
score: 150
Change the score to the value you want, save the configuration, and run synchronization.
Check the corresponding Radarr quality profile afterward.
Check the Custom Format Name
The custom format name needs to correspond to the format being managed.
If Recyclarr is configured for one custom format but you are checking another similarly named format in Sonarr or Radarr, the expected score may appear to be missing.
This can happen when custom formats were created manually or when several formats have similar names.
Check the exact custom format entry in the application before changing the configuration.
Check Whether Recyclarr Manages the Format
Not every custom format in Sonarr or Radarr is automatically managed by Recyclarr.
The custom format must be included in the relevant Recyclarr configuration or synchronization process.
If a format exists in Sonarr or Radarr but is not defined or managed by your Recyclarr setup, changing an unrelated score in the configuration will not affect it.
Review the custom format configuration before troubleshooting the score itself.
Run a Manual Sync After Changing the Score
After modifying the score, run a manual Recyclarr synchronization.
This is the simplest way to confirm that the new value is being processed.
Check the synchronization output for the relevant quality profile and custom format.
If Recyclarr reports that the synchronization completed successfully, open Sonarr or Radarr and inspect the corresponding quality profile.
Validate the Configuration Before Syncing
A YAML formatting error can prevent Recyclarr from processing the updated configuration.
Pay attention to:
- Indentation
- Custom format names
- Profile names
- List formatting
- Numeric values
- Parent-child relationships
For example, make sure the score is represented as a number rather than an accidentally malformed value.
Use the configuration format appropriate for your installed Recyclarr version.
Check Your Recyclarr Version
Configuration syntax can differ between Recyclarr releases.
If you are following an older guide, the example may not match the configuration structure expected by your current installation.
Check your installed version and use the corresponding documentation when modifying custom format scores.
This is particularly important if your configuration was created several releases ago.
Check the Score in Sonarr or Radarr
After synchronization, open the relevant quality profile in Sonarr or Radarr.
Locate the custom format and inspect its assigned score.
Compare the value shown in the application with the value in your Recyclarr configuration.
If they differ, review the synchronization output and confirm that you edited the configuration file Recyclarr actually loads.
Why Did My Score Change Back?
A score that reverts after a manual change in Sonarr or Radarr may be controlled by Recyclarr.
If Recyclarr manages that custom format and quality profile, its configuration can become the source of truth for the value.
For that reason, make score changes in the Recyclarr configuration rather than repeatedly changing them manually in Sonarr or Radarr.
Otherwise, a future synchronization can restore the configured Recyclarr value.
Why Is My Custom Format Score Not Changing?
Several issues can prevent a new score from appearing.
Check the following:
- The score was changed in the correct configuration file.
- Recyclarr is loading that file.
- The custom format name is correct.
- The quality profile name is correct.
- The custom format is managed by Recyclarr.
- The YAML structure is valid.
- The correct Sonarr or Radarr instance is being synchronized.
- The manual sync completes successfully.
- The installed Recyclarr version supports the configuration syntax being used.
Checking these items in order is more effective than repeatedly changing the score.
How Scores Affect Release Selection
Custom format scores contribute to the overall scoring of releases.
Suppose a release matches two custom formats:
Format A: +100
Format B: +50
Its combined contribution from those formats would be:
+150
A negative score can reduce the total:
Format A: +100
Format B: -50
Total: +50
The final release preference depends on the complete quality profile configuration, not just one custom format.
Avoid Arbitrarily Large Scores
Increasing a score dramatically can change how releases are prioritized.
For example, moving a format from:
+100
to:
+5000
can make it dominate other scoring factors.
Choose scores based on the relative importance of the release characteristics you want to prioritize.
Review the other custom format scores in the same profile before making a major change.
Keep Related Scores Consistent
A well-organized scoring system makes it easier to understand why one release is preferred over another.
If related custom formats have arbitrary scores, troubleshooting release selection becomes more difficult.
Group related preferences logically and use score values that reflect their relative importance.
This also makes future Recyclarr configuration changes easier to maintain.
Change Scores Without Recreating Custom Formats
Changing a custom format score does not normally require recreating the custom format.
The important part is updating the score associated with the format in the quality profile configuration and then synchronizing.
Recreating custom formats unnecessarily can create duplicate entries or make an existing configuration harder to maintain.
Changing Scores for Multiple Instances
If you manage multiple Sonarr or Radarr instances, remember that scores can be configured independently for each target.
For example, a custom format might have one score on a standard movie instance and another score on a 4K instance.
This is useful when different libraries have different release priorities.
Always verify which instance and quality profile the score belongs to before making changes.
Troubleshooting Custom Format Score Updates
If the new score does not appear after synchronization, follow this sequence:
First, confirm the configuration file contains the new score.
Next, verify that Recyclarr is reading the same file.
Then check the custom format and quality profile names.
After that, run a manual synchronization and inspect the output.
Finally, check the target quality profile in Sonarr or Radarr.
If the synchronization reports an error, resolve that error before investigating the score itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I change a custom format score in Recyclarr?
Edit the score value for the custom format within the relevant quality profile configuration, save the file, and run a Recyclarr synchronization.
Can I use negative custom format scores?
Yes. Negative values can reduce the overall score of releases that match a particular custom format.
Can I set a custom format score to zero?
Yes. A score of zero removes the positive or negative scoring effect for that custom format on the selected profile.
Can the same custom format have different scores?
Yes. Different quality profiles or instances can assign different scores to the same custom format, allowing different release preferences.
Why does Sonarr overwrite my manually changed score?
If Recyclarr manages the quality profile and custom format, synchronization can apply the value defined in your Recyclarr configuration. Make the permanent change in Recyclarr rather than only changing it manually in Sonarr.
Why is my Recyclarr score not updating in Radarr?
Check the configuration file, custom format name, quality profile, Radarr instance, and synchronization output. Also verify that Recyclarr is reading the configuration file you edited.
Do I need to recreate a custom format after changing its score?
No. A score change normally does not require recreating the custom format. Update the relevant configuration and synchronize it.
Can I use different custom format scores for different media libraries?
Yes. Different Sonarr or Radarr instances and quality profiles can use different scores, which is useful when each library has different release preferences.
Conclusion
Changing custom format scores in Recyclarr mainly involves updating the score assigned to the relevant custom format within the appropriate quality profile configuration. Positive, negative, and zero values can be used to control how strongly a matching release characteristic affects the overall score.
After changing a value, run a manual synchronization and verify the result in Sonarr or Radarr. If the score does not change, check the configuration path, profile name, custom format name, target instance, YAML structure, and Recyclarr version.
Keeping score changes inside Recyclarr also prevents manual edits in Sonarr or Radarr from being unexpectedly replaced by a later synchronization. A clearly organized scoring configuration makes release preferences easier to understand and maintain across one or multiple media server instances.