Support Articles

Intro to Plex

• Quick Start Info

  • What is Plex?
  • Quick-Start & Step by Step Guides for Plex Media Server
  • Plex: Free vs Paid
  • Exploring More of Plex

• System Requirements

  • Plex Media Server Requirements
  • Internet and Network Requirements

• Plex Pass Subscriptions

  • What is Plex Pass?
  • Plex Pass Feature Overview
  • Free Access to Plex Apps
  • Plex Pass Subscription Management
  • Early Access & Beta Releases
  • Sales Tax information

• Account Information

  • Plex Accounts
  • Sign in to Your Plex Account
  • Secure Your Account with Two-Factor Authentication
  • Use Google, Facebook, or Apple to Sign in with Plex
  • Sync Watch State and Ratings
  • Account Audio/Subtitle Language Settings
  • Edit Profile
  • What if Your Plex Account Requires a Password Reset?
  • I forgot my Plex Account PIN; how can I reset it? How can I change my PIN?
  See all 9 articles

• Common Questions About Plex

  • Why can’t the Plex app find or connect to my Plex Media Server?
  • Why is my video stream buffering?
  • How do I choose the right Streaming Quality in an app?
  • Why is some of my content not found?
  • Is Plex like Netflix?
  • Changelogs and Release Notes
  • Log Files
  • Why don’t videos from iTunes, Amazon, etc. play?
  • Using plex.tv resources information to troubleshoot app connections
  • Is Plex Illegal?
  See all 10 articles

• Guides

  • Connect a Player App to Your Plex Account
  • Using Hardware-Accelerated Streaming
  • Automatically Adjust Quality when streaming
  • How to Use Secure Server Connections
  • Server Settings – Bandwidth and Transcoding Limits
  • Accessing a Server through Relay
  • Reporting Security Issues
  • Getting Started with Plex Music
  • License Information
  • Helping Translate/Localize Plex Apps and Websites
  • Audio Description for Movies and TV Episodes
  See all 11 articles

Player Apps and Platforms

• Alexa Voice Control

  • Getting Started with Alexa Voice Control
  • Alexa Voice Commands

• Android (mobile)

  • Navigating the Mobile Apps
  • Customizing the Mobile Apps
  • Settings: Plex for Android (mobile)
  • Unlocking or Activating Plex for Android
  • What are the features and limitations without unlocking the app?
  • Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Portal Logs
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through Google Play
  • Android Auto
  • I have Plex Pass, so how do I use Plex for Android for free?
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through Amazon
  • Opening a Local Video File (mobile)
  See all 11 articles

• Android TV, Fire TV, Portal

  • Navigating the Big Screen Apps
  • Customizing the Big Screen Apps
  • Settings: Android TV
  • Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Portal Logs
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through Google Play
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through Amazon

• Apple TV

  • Navigating the Big Screen Apps
  • Customizing the Big Screen Apps
  • Settings: Plex for Apple TV
  • How do I get Plex content to show up in the Top Shelf?
  • How do I delete content using the Apple TV app?
  • Do I need a Plex account to use the Apple TV app?
  • Apple TV Logs
  See all 7 articles

• Chromecast

  • Casting Support
  • Cast from Browser or Desktop
  • Cast from Android
  • Cast from iOS
  • Does content stream directly to the Chromecast or through the casting device?
  • Why does the Chromecast show my BT router page?
  • Why can’t I see Chromecast on my Amazon-based Android device?
  • Why can’t I see Chromecast on my iOS 5 device?
  See all 8 articles

• iOS

  • Navigating the Mobile Apps
  • Customizing the Mobile Apps
  • Settings: Plex for iOS
  • Unlocking or Activating Plex for iOS
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through iTunes
  • iOS Media Playback
  • iOS/iPadOS Logs
  • Do I need a Plex account to stream locally?
  • What are the features and limitations without unlocking the app?
  • Can I use the in-app purchase with Family Sharing?
  • Can I AirPlay if I require secure connections and have DNS Rebinding protection?
  • Will Plex work on my older iOS devices?
  • Downloads for iOS
  • iOS App System Permissions
  See all 14 articles

• NAS Devices

  • NAS Compatibility List
  • NAS Devices and Limitations
  • Is Plex Media Server on a NAS Right for Me?
  • Mounting Network Resources
  • Installing Plex Media Server on FreeNAS
  • Install Plex Media Server on a TerraMaster NAS
  • Western Digital My Cloud Home
  See all 7 articles

• NVIDIA SHIELD

  • Setting Up and Managing Plex Media Server on NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Media Storage Options for NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Accessing SHIELD Storage
  • Limitations When Running Plex Media Server on NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Moving server data storage location on NVIDIA SHIELD

• PlayStation

  • Navigating the Big Screen Apps
  • Customizing the Big Screen Apps
  • Settings: PlayStation
  • What media formats are supported?
  • Why can’t it find my local server?
  • Where is Plex for PlayStation available?
  • Logging for PlayStation
  • Is it for the PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4?
  • Is it available for the PlayStation TV and PlayStation Vita?
  • Is a PlayStation Plus subscription required?
  See all 10 articles

• Plex HTPC

  • HTPC – Getting Started
  • HTPC – Settings
  • Plex HTPC Logs
  • Plex HTPC Input Maps

• Plex Web App

  • Customizing Plex Web
  • Overview
  • Opening Plex Web App
  • Cinema Trailers & Extras – Plex Web App
  • Why are there old or duplicate Server entries in the Dashboard sidebar?
  • Interface Overview
  • Using the Library View
  • Viewing Item Details
  • Plex Web App Player
  • Plex Web App Settings
  • Devices
  • Server Status and Dashboard
  • Plex Account
  • Updating Plex Web App
  • Plex Web App Logs
  See all 15 articles

• Roku

  • Navigating the Big Screen Apps
  • Customizing the Big Screen Apps
  • What models are supported for the Plex for Roku channel?
  • Purchasing a Plex Pass Subscription Through the Roku App
  • Settings: Plex for Roku
  • Roku Logs
  • Is 4K content supported on the Roku?
  • Do I need a Plex account to use the Roku channel?
  • Is Plex for Roku open source?
  See all 9 articles

• Plex VR

  • Plex VR for Gear VR & Oculus Go
  • Plex VR for Daydream

• Smart TV

  • Plex for X1 Overview
  • Navigating the Big Screen Apps
  • Customizing the Big Screen Apps
  • Which Smart TV models are supported?
  • Why can’t it find my local server?
  • What media formats are supported?
  • How do streaming quality selections work?
  • Logging for Smart TV App
  See all 8 articles

• Sonos

  • Requirements for using Plex for Sonos
  • Control Sonos Playback With a Plex App
  • Installing the Plex for Sonos Service
  • Navigating Plex for Sonos
  • Sonos Playback

• Windows, Mac, Linux Desktop

  • Introduction and Installation
  • Configuration and Usage Options
  • Downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux Desktop
  • Plex for Windows/Mac/Linux Desktop App Logs
  • Audio Configuration

• Xbox

  • Settings: Xbox
  • Xbox One Logs
  • Xbox One Controller Mapping
  • What media formats are supported?
  • Why can’t the Xbox One app find my local server?
  • What information is sent to Microsoft?
  • Is Xbox Live Gold required?
  See all 7 articles

Plex Media Server

• Installation and Basic Setup

  • Overview
  • Installation
  • Basic Setup Wizard
  • Uninstall Plex Media Server
  • Dynamically Updated Server Components
  • Plex Media Server Logs

• Libraries

  • Overview
  • Library Actions
  • Creating Libraries
  • Editing Libraries
  • Deleting Libraries
  • Scanning vs Refreshing a Library
  • Matching Process
  • Emptying Library Trash
  • Analyze Media
  • Monitoring Library activity
  • Migrating a TV library to use the new Plex TV Series Agent/Scanner
  • Advanced Settings Plex TV Series Agent
  • Publishing Collections
  • Manage Recommendations
  • Upgrading an Old Movie Library to Use the Plex Movie Agent
  • Advanced settings Plex Movie Agent
  • Collections
  See all 17 articles

• Server Settings

  • Overview
  • General
  • Remote Access
  • Optimized Versions
  • Agents
  • Library
  • Plugins
  • Network
  • Transcoder
  • Languages
  • DLNA
  • Scheduled Tasks
  • Extras
  • Troubleshooting
  • Live TV & DVR (Set Up and Manage)
  See all 15 articles

• Scanners & Agents

  • Scanners
  • Metadata Agents
  • Match Hinting for TV Series
  • Migrating a TV library to use the new Plex TV Series Agent/Scanner
  • Advanced Settings Plex TV Series Agent
  • Upgrading an Old Movie Library to Use the Plex Movie Agent
  • Advanced settings Plex Movie Agent
  See all 7 articles

• Direct Play, Direct Stream, Transcoding

  • Direct Play, Direct Stream, Transcoding Overview
  • Streaming Media: Direct Play and Direct Stream
  • Transcoding Media
  • Troubleshooting

• NAS Devices

  • Is Plex Media Server on a NAS Right for Me?
  • NAS Devices and Limitations
  • NAS Compatibility List
  • Mounting Network Resources
  • Installing Plex Media Server on FreeNAS
  • Install Plex Media Server on a TerraMaster NAS
  • Western Digital My Cloud Home
  See all 7 articles

• NVIDIA SHIELD

  • Setting Up and Managing Plex Media Server on NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Media Storage Options for NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Accessing SHIELD Storage
  • Limitations When Running Plex Media Server on NVIDIA SHIELD
  • Moving server data storage location on NVIDIA SHIELD

• FAQ & Troubleshooting

  • Why is some of my content not found?
  • What kind of CPU do I need for my Server?
  • How do I delete something from my Library?
  • Why does Plex Media Server say my content is unavailable?
  • Why am I locked out of Server Settings and how do I get in?
  • Plex Media Server can’t sign in to Plex account or be claimed
  • Why is Plex using lots of CPU when nothing is playing?
  • Why is there an unclaimed media server on my network?
  • Why is my Plex Media Server directory so large?
  • Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro
  • Netgear Nighthawk X10 Router
  • What are video preview thumbnails in Plex?
  • How do I manage my media and Plex Media Server?
  • Windows: Errors trying to upgrade, install, or uninstall Plex Media Server
  • How do I use multi-disc support for my music libraries?
  • How do I turn off Trailers and Extras from being retrieved?
  • If a transcode is “throttled”, is that bad?
  • Crash Logs: Plex Media Server
  • Windows: Transcoder failures during playback, live TV, or DVR recording
  • Plex Media Server Logs
  • Why can’t the Plex app find or connect to my Plex Media Server?
  • Why is my video stream buffering?
  • Troubleshooting Remote Access
  • Does the computer have to stay running?
  • Why do I get the “This server is not powerful enough to convert video” message?
  • Platforms no longer supported by Plex Media Server
  • How do I see what is being played by Plex apps?
  • How do I get subtitles to work?
  • Why does content I deleted on my drive still show up?
  • Windows: Repeated crashes of Plex Media Server
  • Where is the Plex Media Server data directory located?
  • Where are Plex Media Server cached images stored on my computer?
  • Why does iTunes launch when Plex Media Server is started?
  • Why does CPU usage spike for Plex Media Server when it’s not doing anything?
  • How do I add theme music for a TV show?
  • What network ports do I need to allow through my firewall?
  • Why are ISO, VIDEO_TS, and other Disk Image Formats Not Supported?
  • How to add Plex’s package signing public key to Synology NAS Package Center
  • Reporting issues with Plex Media Server
  • Why do I get metadata but no images for my library items?
  • Windows: “Key not valid for use in specified state” error and transcoding/analysis issues
  • Windows: Local Plex Web App times out or never loads
  • Clearing Plugin/Channel/Agent HTTP Caches
  See all 43 articles

• Advanced Topics

  • Advanced, Hidden Server Settings
  • Enable repository updating for supported Linux server distributions
  • Mounting NTFS Drives on Linux
  • Linux Permissions Guide
  • Authentication for local network access
  • Repair a Corrupted Database
  • Backing Up Plex Media Server Data
  • Scheduled Server Maintenance
  • Move Media Content to a New Location
  • Move an Install to Another System
  • Move Viewstate/Ratings from One Install to Another
  • Repair a Corrupt Database 1.22.0 and earlier
  • Restore a Database Backed Up via ‘Scheduled Tasks’
  • Restart Plex Media Server Setup from Scratch
  • Gather a Process Dump or Sample Process
  • Finding an authentication token / X-Plex-Token
  • Plex Media Scanner via Command Line
  • Plex Media Server URL Commands
  See all 18 articles

Features

• Casting, Flinging, & Remote Control

  • Overview
  • Supported Plex Companion Apps
  • Choose a Player
  • Fling Media
  • Controlling Flung Media
  • Plex Companion Remote Control Issues

• Live TV & DVR

  • Frequently Asked Questions – DVR & Live TV
  • Supported DVR Tuners and Antennas
  • Live TV & DVR (Set Up and Manage)
  • Program Guide
  • Watching Live TV
  • Setting Up Recordings
  • Manage Your Recordings
  • Removing Commercials
  • Using XMLTV for guide data
  • Community Supported Tuners
  See all 10 articles

• Media Optimizer

  • Media Optimizer Overview
  • Example Media Optimizer Usage
  • Creating Optimized Versions
  • Conversion Queue

• Downloads for Offline Use

  • Downloads Overview
  • Downloads FAQ
  • Downloads for Android Mobile
  • Downloads for iOS
  • Downloads for Windows, macOS, Linux Desktop

• Music Functionality

  • Sonic Analysis for Music
  • Upgrading Music Libraries to the New Metadata System
  • Correcting Your Music Content Matches
  • Automatic Lyrics from LyricFind
  • Changing Artist, Album, or Track Information

• Plex Home

  • What is Plex Home?
  • Creating a Plex Home
  • Example Plex Home Setup
  • Managed Accounts
  • Fast User Switching
  • Parental Controls
  • How do I leave a Plex Home?
  • Plex Home Security Changes
  • Consequences of Being in a Plex Home
  • I forgot my Plex Account PIN; how can I reset it? How can I change my PIN?
  See all 10 articles

• Remote Access and Granting Library Access

  • Remote Access
  • Troubleshooting Remote Access
  • Managing Library Access
  • Restrictions on Library Access
  • Single Item Access

• Watch Together

  • Watch Together
  • Frequently Asked Questions – Watch Together

• Other Features

  • Skip TV Show Intros
  • Universal Watchlist
  • Cinema Trailers, Extras, & Related Albums
  • Push Notifications
  • HDR to SDR Tone Mapping
  • Video Preview Thumbnails
  • Sync Watch State and Ratings
  • Auto Tagging of Photos
  • Webhooks
  • Play Queues
  • Play Queue Post-Play Screen
  • Places (Location-Based Photos)
  • Why won’t trailers or extras play?
  • Credits Detection
  • Discover Credits
  See all 15 articles

Your Media

• Movie Files (Naming and Organizing)

  • Naming and organizing your Movie files
  • Multiple Editions – Movies
  • Multi-Version Movies
  • Local Files for Movie Trailers and Extras
  • Local Media Assets – Movies
  • Special Keyword File/Folder Exclusion
  • ISO, IMG, and Video_TS Movie files
  See all 7 articles

• TV Show Files (Naming and Organizing)

  • Naming and Organizing Your TV Show Files
  • Local Media Assets – TV Shows
  • Special Keyword File/Folder Exclusion
  • Match Hinting for TV Series
  • Local Files for TV Show Trailers and Extras

• Music Files (Naming and Organizing)

  • Adding Music Media From Folders
  • Adding Local Artist and Music Videos
  • Adding Local Lyrics
  • Identifying Music Media Using Embedded Metadata
  • Special Keyword File/Folder Exclusion

• Personal Media Files (Naming and Organizing)

  • Personal Media Movies
  • Naming Home Series Media
  • Special Keyword File/Folder Exclusion

• Using Subtitles

  • Description
  • Fetching Internet Sourced & Using Your Own Subtitle Files
  • Configuring Subtitle Support
  • Adding Local Subtitles to Your Media
  • Troubleshooting Subtitles
  • On-Demand Subtitle Search
  • Import or Delete a Subtitle File
  • Subtitle Offsets
  See all 8 articles

• Working with Your Media

  • Overview
  • Edit Details
  • Mark as Watched or Unwatched
  • Fix Match / Match
  • Collections
  • Investigate Media Information and Formats
  • Merge or Split Items
  • Changing Artist, Album, or Track Information
  • How do I find duplicate or merged content?
  • Unmatch an Item
  • Download Media
  • Rename a badly named file
  • Converting ISO, Video_TS, and Other Disk Image Formats
  • Remuxing Files to MKV
  • Scanning Disk Image Format Media
  • TV Theme Music & Submissions
  • Generating Sample Files from Media
  • Publishing Collections
  See all 18 articles

Online Media Sources

• Discover

  • Discover Source
  • Activity Feed
  • Profile
  • Share and Report

• Free Live TV Streaming on Plex

  • Free Live TV Streaming on Plex Overview
  • Frequently Asked Questions – Free Live TV Streaming on Plex

• Video on Demand

  • Video on Demand Overview
  • Frequently Asked Questions – Video on Demand

• TIDAL

  • An Intro to TIDAL With Plex
  • Adding TIDAL Subscriptions to Plex
  • Add TIDAL Content to Your Plex Music Library
  • Enhance a Plex Music Library With TIDAL
  • Browse TIDAL Content in Plex

• Plugins

  • Overview
  • How do I manually install a plugin?
  • How do I find the Plug-Ins folder?
  • Plugin Log Files