Hello,
In the last 2 years I encountered a problem with the built-in Update function of Plex Media Server [Windows 10] that I just lived with until today. After clicking "Download" [PMS: Settings > Server > General], PMS is downloading the file and giving me the option of Installing after it has reached 100%, as it is supposed to do, I think [because it had never worked]. So far so good. But when i click on "Install", after about half a second it says: "something went wrong, please install manually". That is exactly what i have been doing for the last 2 years now. (Installing it manually then). I have tried multiple sulotions offered here in this forum, but I couldnt resolve it so far.

Beside that Update error, Plex is working Great!

What i think is the cause of the Problem:

I moved the Plex Folder and Appdata to another Drive [C: to D:]. But left the Plextemp on C:

• D:\Plex\Plex Media Server = LocalAppDAta
• D:\Plex\Plex Media Server.exe = Directory of Program
• C:\Plextemp = Transcoder Temp Directory

What i have done:

• On drive D: check the chmod of the files&folders. Check the owner rights of the Folders according to Manfred73
• Using the Microsoft Fix It tool Plex Support Article
• Manual Installation. (Several times so far. Never solved the Update Problem)
• Check the registry according to sa2000
• Change back to C:\Users\Server\AppData\Local by using a SymbolicLink pointing from C:\Users\Server\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\ to D:\Plex\Plex Media Server\ (and doublechecked in registry if LocalAppDataPath is correct)

What I couldn't do so far

• I found this article for a mac, but it is for a mac. The description of the Problem is similar to my problem. I only found the Butler Update Service in the registry but don't know what what options i have to change it/disable it. Can't update, "check for updates" is greyed out?

Plex Update Service Launcher.log

Plex Media Server.log

Is there anything else I can do? I would really appreciate some help on my problem. I would love to update the PMS from my AppleTV and/or from the Built-In Update Function. :-)

Thank you for taking your time to resolve my problem.

Best regards,
Christoph

This post will always contain the latest version of the Plex service wrapper.
This is not official or affiliated with Plex in any way and was originally made for personal use. Treat it as such and please don't bug the Plex devs about it. (bug them about Plex not running as a service natively by all means :P) feel free to post your questions here and I will do my best to help.

If you are having problems, the first question will be whether it runs ok when not being run as a service. Please ensure you can get Plex up and running fine on it's own.

Please read all of this post, there is lots of information covering the most common problems (Mapped drives, different user accounts etc)

The service application was created to enable Plex Media Server to operate as a service in windows.
It has been reported to work on the following OS's and requires .net framework 4 is installed:

• Windows Server 2003
• Windows Home Server V1
• Windows Server 2008 R2
• Windows Home Server 2011
• Windows Server 2012 R2
• Windows Server 2012 Essentials
• Windows XP
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 10

Latest version is 1.1.5. It is open source and up on the github if you want to build it yourself: https://github.com/cjmurph/PmsService

There is a built copy available under releases on the github here: https://github.com/cjmurph/PmsService/releases

To update Plex Media Server:
1. Stop the plex using the service task bar application
2. Run the plex installer to do the upgrade as usual.
3. When the installer is complete, start Plex using the service task bar application.

[WARNING] Read below if you intend to change the service account
If you change the service account type or the service user account from your current configuration, your application data (and therefore your library) will not be available when you start Plex.
If you want to run the service under a different account, Then you should first move your Plex application data folder to a common folder (Personally I have mine on a second drive of my server "D:\Plex").
If the application data is left under the previous account's folder, then the new account will not have permission to get to it.
Once you have the application data in a common place, after starting Plex with the new credentials, go to the web interface -> server settings -> general -> show advanced -> "The path where local application data is stored" and change this to the location you just moved your Plex application data to. Restart Plex and you should be good to go.

When asked for your credentials during install make sure you fully qualify the user name.
If you are on a domain, the username is entered as domain\username.
If you aren't on a domain, the domain is the computer itself so replace the domain name with the computer name eg. (mycomputersname\username OR .\username).

The install includes a tray application to start and stop Plex, view logs for the service and open the Plex web manager.

There is a large amount of extra information in this thread https://forums.plex.tv/topic/23711-running-pms-as-a-service-in-whs which is where this application was born from.

Media location:
When Plex runs as a service, there is no user session created. Plex will run in a non-interactive session (session 0). This means that any drive mappings you have created will not be available.
If your media is located on a network device, Plex sections must be set up to look at a UNC path NOT a mapped drive.

Mapped drives -- EXPERIMENTAL
From version 1.1.3 this service supports user defined drive mappings. Configure the map in settings and it will be made available before PMS is started.
You should ensure the user account the service is run under has access to the network share.
This is experimental at the moment. if you have issues, please review your logs and report back here.

Auxiliary applications:
Applications you want to have running with Plex. An example is Plexconnect, the python script for using plex with an apple TV.
I've added this after a request from a user to wrap Plexconnect the same way I did Plex, I figured it would work OK in the same service. I don't use Plexconnect personally but I tested this new system with several other applications and they all ran up fine.

To add an auxiliary application, using the task bar icon, go to settings, you will get a new window. click the add button to add a new application, and the remove button to remove the currently selected one.
Name is a user friendly name for the application, file is the file to execute and arguments is any command line arguments you want to add. If you specify a URL, a menu item will be made available directly from the tray application to navigate to that address.

Save the settings and the next time the service is started the application you specified will start too. Check the logs (again through the task bar icon) to see how you got on.

I would suggest making sure that the application runs as expected in a normal user session BEFORE attempting to run it as an auxiliary application.

If you are installing Plex for the first time, I'd still recommend moving the application data folder, the user folder isn't the best spot.

If you like the software, buy me a beer

Enjoy,

cjmurph.

A new problem that just happened today after working just fine for well over a year on a 2016 75UH8500. No changes to the server or PLEX application updates between working and not working. I’ve searched the forums and found that there have been multiple references to problems playing video on LG TVs. I’ve not been able to find any real answers. I have deleted the app and reloaded it. I have rebooted the router/network and my NAS, and I have deleted the device from PLEX - nothing has worked. The LG app shows all content and responds just fine until trying to play a video, then it hangs and eventually says the video timed out. Everything plays just fine on all my other devices (Xbox one, Apple TV, mobiles, Samsung TV, computer. Very frustrating. Does anyone have a good fix? Thanks in advance, and I’ll keep looking to see if PLEX has addressed this problem somewhere.

I have had Plex Server for at least 8 years as Plex Pass. AppleTV4 since it came out. My network has not changed. Suddenly will not connect. Generates code. Code accepted and then doesn't connect. I am getting really pissed off. Please have your staff contact me ASAP. I'm on HK time that's GMT +8. After 10 pm my time.

Until recently my Plex App for my Samsung UN55JU6500F was perfectly fine and I was able to stream content without issue.

Starting a few weeks ago however when attempting to play any content, I am now met with the following:

"There seems to be a problem. Playing over a secure connection failed. Disable the use of secure connections or use Direct Streaming or Transcoding."

Connecting to the server and browsing through content works just fine, and any new content or data from the server seems to update normally on the TV (when switching devices, it saves my place on any given video). It is only actually playing things that fails.

I have been forcing secure connection the entire time, and only recently started seeing this error. Plex from all other devices in my household have no issue either. I have also been able to verify through a packet capture (using wireshark) that the TLS connection to the server forms successfully, and is torn down by the app shortly after being established following passing application data.

At this point I have uninstalled/re-installed the app, logged in and out multiple times, bypassed the PIN on login, tried both wired and wireless connections, run every update I have available, and everything else that I have been able to come up with. Nothing has helped and all content is met with this error. To my knowledge nothing has changed with my network or devices or server other than all secure connections are no longer usable.

App version 2.005

Is anyone else experiencing this issue or have found any fix that doesn't make necessary disabling secure connections?

Samsung TV UA50ES6200M 2012 Plex app v2.011
Plex Media Server v1.13.0.5023 on Synology NAS (Linux v3.2.40)
Both hardwired LAN 1GB

May 09, 2018 12:45:47.971 [0xb2f11b40] INFO - Plex Media Server v1.13.0.5023-31d3c0c65 - synology DiskStation i686 - build: linux-synology-i686 synology - GMT 10:00
May 09, 2018 12:45:48.148 [0xb2f11b40] INFO - Linux version: 3.2.40 (#15266 SMP PREEMPT Mon Mar 26 15:10:19 CST 2018), language: en-US
May 09, 2018 12:45:48.148 [0xb2f11b40] INFO - Processor Intel(R) Atom(TM) CPU CE5335 @ 1.60GHz
May 09, 2018 12:45:48.149 [0xb2f11b40] INFO - /var/packages/Plex Media Server/target/Plex Media Server

I'm trying to enable ubuntu automatic updates for plex but the apt repo is missing the Origin and Source tags.
See https://help.ubuntu.com/lts/serverguide/automatic-updates.html and https://askubuntu.com/questions/87849/how-to-enable-silent-automatic-updates-for-any-repository

This is what /var/lib/apt/lists/downloads.plex.tv_repo_deb_dists_public_main_binary-amd64_Packages looks like

Package: plexmediaserver
 Version: 1.8.4.4249-3497d6779
 Architecture: amd64
 Maintainer: Plex Inc <support@plex.tv>
 Installed-Size: 229192
 Filename: pool/p/plexmediaserver/plexmediaserver_1.8.4.4249-3497d6779_amd64.deb
 Size: 107625306
 MD5sum: eea890baf444532811c10e75296d40fe
 SHA1: 022430f88e5196d543140d5e7e64b88b3fc33216
 SHA256: a578196cef34734858e365957dcaa12fc48b11ba1c30a8a39b5ba4b1c916fe8a
 Section: video
 Priority: extra
 Homepage: https://plex.tv
 Description: Plex organizes all of your personal media so you can easily access and enjoy it.

If the Origin and Source tags could be added that would be awesome.

Thanks

I've googled until my fingers hurt, I'm finding mixed information all over the place including here and I need help to finish getting my Ubuntu 16.04LTS Plex server working. My Media is on my Synology DS1515+. From what I've read the server runs as user "plex". I don't have a user "plex" on my Ubuntu system.
I was under the impression that account would be created during install so I can't chown -R plex:plex /volume1. /volume1 is an NFS mapping (THAT was fun getting to work!) right now I have folders set to 775 and files to 770. (No idea how that happened). I'm nervous I'll screw this up and completely loos access to my files. When I go to afdd a library /volume1 or any subfolder is not visible in the dialog box where you select the folder you want to use. i.e. /Movies.

Can someone walk me thru what I need to do to fix this? My linux skills are building quickly but I'm not putting Linux on my resume just yet!!
PS. I did try "find /volume1 -type d -exec chmod 755 {} ;; find /volume1 -type f -exec chmod 644 {} ;" from the "Linux Permissions Guide" and get an error syntax error near unexpected token `;;'

Thanks for your help

Hi,
My app was updated 2 days ago to v2.011. Now transcoding of internal srt does not work anymore .
How can I fix this? It's on a Samsung ES8000.

Thanks for any help in advance!

I have Collections set up for some movies and some TV shows. However, depending on how I've got my view set up, items aren't grouped into collections (I have "Hide items in collections" enabled).

I understand that it may not make sense to group files in collections when sorted by 'Release Date'. However, I don't understand why movies aren't grouped in collections when I select 'Unwatched' (I'd expect to see any collections that contain an unwatched movie). I also don't understand why TV shows aren't grouped into collections when I view by "Last episode aired date"? For example, if I have 3 shows in a collection, and any one of them had an episode aired last night, I'd expect to see the collection listed near the top of the list.

Currently struggling to withhold my rage
I had a high number of very large Matroska files from a recent batch of BluRays, which I transcoded using Plex's "Optimize for TV" as they were were too big for Plex to handle as they were. Given that I only use the files on Plex there was no reason to keep the original files as they were taking up space. I was incredibly annoyed to discover that when I deleted the original versions, for some reason the transocdes also disappeared. They weren't even placed in the Recycle Bin, they were just flat out erased, and because the Matroska files were so big, they weren't placed in the Recycle Bin either. I've now completely lost all of these files and have to start over again.
This is so annoying. I can think of absolutely no logical reason why anyone would have thought this was a desirable feature to have? How do I turn this feature off? Or should I not bother with Plex and transcode using other software that doesn't self-delete its transcodes?

This guide outlines recommendations and requirements for "Direct Streaming" 4k HEVC HDR MKVs. This is a work in progress and subject to change. Feel free to provide any info on your findings and I will do my best to keep this post updated.

These settings should work for SDR 4k content as well.

MP4 should also work with these settings but it should direct play and not direct stream. Apple does require fragmented MP4 for streaming so you may see it remux from MP4 to MP4.

Basic requirements: You need a 4k capable device (ie. Apple TV 4k) and a 4k HDR TV/Projector

Current Known Working Versions:

tvOS: 11.2.6, 11.3+
tvOS Plex app : 1.26+
PMS: 1.13.0.5003+

Apple TV 4k Settings:

• Video and Audio
  • Video
    • Format - HDR / Enable HDR or SDR as of ATV Plex app Version 1.26
    • Chroma - Either is fine
    • Match Content
      • Range (Optional but recommended) (Required if SDR is set under the ATV settings)
      • Frame Rate (Optional but recommended)

tvOS Plex Settings:

• Settings
  • Video Quality
  • Home Streaming - Maximum
  • Internet Streaming - Maximum (Only if you wish to view 4k content over the internet, Not needed on your home network)

Tips

• Media re-analysis maybe needed
  • https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1630742/#Comment_1630742

List of Known Issues:

• DTS - Center channel is mapped to the right channel (DEVs are aware) http://forums.plex.tv/discussion/comment/1618894/#Comment_1618894 [SOLVED] in Version 1.13.0.5003
• If the ATV is set to SDR and content switching is enabled. The plex app WILL NOT switch to HDR and cause the stream to transcode. (Maybe a bug?) [SOLVED] in Version 1.26
• No audio when converting DTS to EAC3 - [KNOWN] - https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/301672/eac3-dd-dolby-digital-plus-is-direct-playing-but-silent-on-tvos-and-ios [SOLVED] - Fixed in 1.13.0.5003

If all goes well you should see a direct stream of 4k HDR content on the server.

Edit (4/4/18): Some problems have been solved. Changes made to the post to reflect current status.
Edit (4/5/18): No audio issue update.
Edit (4/19/18): Audio Issue update
Edit (5/6/18): Updates to known issues.

Has anyone updated to PMS Version 1.12.1.4885 and noticed local media assets are not being used when set as first agent?

Just added this movie to my library:

You can see the local artwork is not being chosen automatically:

Here's how the agent looks (local assets first):

Here's how the files look:

I don't think I'm doing anything different to before? I've recently started grabbing artwork like moviename.jpg moviename-fanart.jpg for my collections but even without that artwork present the same thing happens after metadata refresh.

Hello,

which is the right way to use the api?

Use the Server URL?
http://ServerIP:32400/system/players/mac-mini.local/playback/skipNext

Or use the Client URL?
http://ClientIP:36000/player/playback/skipNext

greetings kai

I bought the DiskStation DS918+ a few minutes ago. Now the next step, which NAS hard drive is enough for this baby. Considering my last question about the 4K HDR transcoding or not, which speed is required? Preferably, I want low power, low noise. I wanted Seagate IronWolf but they don't do more than 4 TB versus WD Red up to 10 TB for 5400 RPM. Otherwise, for Seagate IronWolf 12 TB at 7200 RPM will be my ultimate choice but I'm scared of the decibel level it will generate next in the same room has my home theatre.

I will run a Plex Server, 1 Time Machine backup and manage 4-6 web sites for personal uses.

I needs some guidance to finalize my investment.

Thank you very much in advance!

The LibreElec community builds prove it is possible. But PMP uses its own player, so is it possible to enable 10 bit in some config file or setting?

Testing with jelly fish samples show no love for 10 bit.

Hi all,

Any new / progress on a fix for the Samsung app. All other versions running and streaming fine. However my Samsung TV can view all content, shows a secure connection to the server but will not stream. I get a connection error. This can be fixed by disabling all secure connections on the server however this is not really a viable solution for an internet facing Service...

I have seen a lot of post around regarding this, but no communication about it. Does anyone have any updates/alternate fixes?

Does anyone face a problem where the apple tv plex version does not recognize other languages (audio & subtitles ) except English (i.e Greek, Hungarian e.t.c) ? In other platforms same films are recognized (i.e windows, ipad, Samsung tv)

Does anyone no where does the log file with the friends activity is being stored (if there is any?)

Hi,

I have an Austor NAS AS6204T.

I installed Plex Media Server on my NAS, using manual installation in "App Central", with last package version : 1.12.2.4929-29f6d1796
I also installed OpenPHT and PlexPy.

I created my Plex account, and validated it by clicking the link received on my email box.

When I launch Plex from ADM, I see the Plex home page (http://[NAS_IP]:32400/web/index.html), but the menu "Server search" in front left of the page just show the spinner, always searching for the server without finding it.
I clicked the "Where is my server" help :

• I installed the most recent version
• I authenticate with my validated Plex account

I am not using any VPN.
I just want to use Plex on my local network, I do not want to access it from an external network.

I turned off my NAS, restarted it, but it does not change anything.
I uninstalled Plex Media Server, the reinstall it through manual installation with last package version, it does not change anything either.

I have tried to launch Plex home page with last version of Firefox and Chrome, but it does not work on any browsers : Plex is searching for the server and does not find it.

Is there a way to see what is going wrong ? Any debug mode ? Or logs I can check to see a message that can explain what happens now ?

Thanks for any help.