S4 not recognizing media with stock apps.

[AC Question]

My Galaxy S4 no longer detects the music, videos and pictures from my stock apps and most aftermarket apps from the external sd card (dbpoweramp was the only app, audio or video, that has so far been able to bring up a list of items stored on the external). However, I AM able to go into "My Files" app, see their location on the sd card, and open them individually with the stock players. Items will show up if moved to the internal storage, what whats the point of having an external card if you can barely use it. Will factory reset fix this? Any way to fix this without doing a reset?

much thanks

verizon samsung galaxy s4 sch-I545 on lollipop.