# Tips, Tricks & How-Tos **URL:** https://forums.plex.tv/c/general-discussions/tips-tricks-how-tos/142.md [Latest](https://forums.plex.tv/latest.md) · [Categories](https://forums.plex.tv/categories.md) · [Tags](https://forums.plex.tv/tags.md) --- ## [About the Tips, Tricks & How-Tos category](https://forums.plex.tv/t/about-the-tips-tricks-how-tos-category/938426)
**Author:** [@PlexInfo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PlexInfo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/about-the-tips-tricks-how-tos-category/938426 "2026-04-29T14:22:56Z")
Tips and Tricks. Only staff and moderators can create or move topics here. If you would like something moved here, let a mod know. --- ## [Video Zoom (Crop) in Plex Desktop app](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-zoom-crop-in-plex-desktop-app/803256)
**Author:** [@German](https://forums.plex.tv/u/German)\ **Replies:** 14\ **Last updated:** [August 16, 2026, 10:45am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/video-zoom-crop-in-plex-desktop-app/803256 "2026-08-16T10:45:29Z")
Server Version#: 1.27.2.5929 Player Version#: 1.50.1.3176-06a9352d I’m an ultrawide user, I often have to zoom in to crop out hardcoded black bars, etc. I thought to myself “oh neat, plex has inputmaps, let me just bin… --- ## [macOS external drive tips for Plex Media Server](https://forums.plex.tv/t/macos-external-drive-tips-for-plex-media-server/872648)
**Author:** [@rainwarrior](https://forums.plex.tv/u/rainwarrior)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/macos-external-drive-tips-for-plex-media-server/872648 "2026-07-14T15:47:32Z")
I’ve been migrating my Plex Media Server to a newer mac mini and I’d thought I’d share a few useful things that I learned. Because the mac mini now has an expensive soldered-on non-upgradeable SSD, it necessitates the us… --- ## [Introduction: convert image-based subtitles to SRT with Subtitle Edit](https://forums.plex.tv/t/introduction-convert-image-based-subtitles-to-srt-with-subtitle-edit/636187)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/introduction-convert-image-based-subtitles-to-srt-with-subtitle-edit/636187 "2026-07-11T12:28:27Z")
This is a short introduction into how to convert image-based subtitles (PGS, VOBSub etc) to text-based subtitles (SRT, mainly). Doing so improves compatibility greatly with a lot of Plex clients and helps to avoid trans… --- ## [\[HowTo\]: joining multi-part movies files with MKVtoolnix GUI](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-joining-multi-part-movies-files-with-mkvtoolnix-gui/113211)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 70\ **Last updated:** [June 6, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-joining-multi-part-movies-files-with-mkvtoolnix-gui/113211 "2026-06-06T01:16:39Z")
The purpose of this HowTo is to join videofiles, when a movie was ripped and split into two or more files. (This happens usually with very long movies \[i.e. LOTR\] or more often back in the day when we had Video CD or DI… --- ## [\[HowTo\]: splitting multi-episode files with MKVtoolnix GUI](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-splitting-multi-episode-files-with-mkvtoolnix-gui/108396)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 52\ **Last updated:** [March 16, 2026, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-splitting-multi-episode-files-with-mkvtoolnix-gui/108396 "2026-03-16T13:34:52Z")
The purpose of this HowTo is to split videofiles which contain more than one episode of a tv show into single-episode files. So they show up individually within plex, can be played individually and don’t produce any of t… --- ## [Media Analysis and deep scan error output to new file](https://forums.plex.tv/t/media-analysis-and-deep-scan-error-output-to-new-file/936000)
**Author:** [@sassan\_karai\_gmail\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sassan_karai_gmail_com)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 2, 2026, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/media-analysis-and-deep-scan-error-output-to-new-file/936000 "2026-02-02T22:58:45Z")
Plex creates and abundance of log files. Most large library operators might not even know when and where Plex finds a problem with a media file. I’ve thrown this PowerShell script together which outputs just the error m… --- ## [How to update Plex's HDHR/DVR/EPG/XMLTV URL](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-update-plexs-hdhr-dvr-epg-xmltv-url/935239)
**Author:** [@Jack-Sparrow](https://forums.plex.tv/u/Jack-Sparrow)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 7, 2026, 1:13pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-update-plexs-hdhr-dvr-epg-xmltv-url/935239 "2026-01-07T13:13:01Z")
Just adding a note for future users, in case they would like to change the HDHR/DVR endpoint URL, or the corresponding XMLTV URL. I needed to make this edit today (I wanted to change the endpoint URL without remapping a… --- ## [You need to reclaim your server, but don't dare to touch the Windows Registry](https://forums.plex.tv/t/you-need-to-reclaim-your-server-but-dont-dare-to-touch-the-windows-registry/809720)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 42\ **Last updated:** [December 10, 2025, 2:58am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/you-need-to-reclaim-your-server-but-dont-dare-to-touch-the-windows-registry/809720 "2025-12-10T02:58:49Z")
Warning: During these steps your Windows Plex server will be removed from any plex.tv account it has been connected to. The result will be that you won’t be able to acess it normally, unless you re-claim it. So you h… --- ## [Remuxing Files to MKV](https://forums.plex.tv/t/remuxing-files-to-mkv/931644)
**Author:** [@PlexInfo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PlexInfo)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [November 30, 2025, 9:41am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/remuxing-files-to-mkv/931644 "2025-11-30T09:41:07Z")
You can “remux” a file to add/remove audio or subtitle tracks, as well as set language information for them. This can be useful to ensure your content has language information specified so that Plex automatically selects… --- ## [Deleting media files from disk](https://forums.plex.tv/t/deleting-media-files-from-disk/931668)
**Author:** [@GoodDogs](https://forums.plex.tv/u/GoodDogs)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [September 25, 2025, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/deleting-media-files-from-disk/931668 "2025-09-25T06:34:25Z")
Hi, I haven’t seen an option in any of my players to delete media files from disk. So I created a playlist that my server periodically checks to create a list of files (and by interference the directories) to delete. … --- ## [Client says it won't play from "remote server", although the server is local](https://forums.plex.tv/t/client-says-it-wont-play-from-remote-server-although-the-server-is-local/921148)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 20, 2025, 12:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/client-says-it-wont-play-from-remote-server-although-the-server-is-local/921148 "2025-08-20T12:28:38Z")
Here we are collecting various tips, which could help those users who are only using Plex within their home network, but see the message from the title anyway. when using virtualization/containers for the server, use “… --- ## [Qnap faq.....read me first!](https://forums.plex.tv/t/qnap-faq-read-me-first/109942)
**Author:** [@dane22](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dane22)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [April 26, 2025, 4:35am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/qnap-faq-read-me-first/109942 "2025-04-26T04:35:58Z")
Welcome to Plex QNAP FAQ: This post will try and answer some common questions related to the combination of QNAP and Plex Media Server For more general Tips & Tricks, see this First of all, we urge you to look @ our sup… --- ## [\[HowTo\] Music Organizing with MusicBrainz Picard](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-music-organizing-with-musicbrainz-picard/218734)
**Author:** [@sekthree](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sekthree)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-music-organizing-with-musicbrainz-picard/218734 "2025-06-16T15:30:38Z")
Music Organizing with MusicBrainz Picard I’ve seen many answers and posts about naming music files, and sometimes recommending Musicbrainz Picard, but nothing really going into HOW to set it up to get files naming proper… --- ## [Customizing Subtitle appearance in Plex Player for Windows/Mac/Linux and Plex HTPC and PMP](https://forums.plex.tv/t/customizing-subtitle-appearance-in-plex-player-for-windows-mac-linux-and-plex-htpc-and-pmp/204096)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 43\ **Last updated:** [June 16, 2025, 8:35am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/customizing-subtitle-appearance-in-plex-player-for-windows-mac-linux-and-plex-htpc-and-pmp/204096 "2025-06-16T08:35:23Z")
By default, “Plex Media Player” and “Plex (Player) for Windows/Mac/Linux” (yes, these are different apps!) and Plex HTPC only allow you to customize the look of subtitles in a very limited way. But the internal AV engine… --- ## [How to Run a Custom Build of PMS in Docker](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-run-a-custom-build-of-pms-in-docker/918517)
**Author:** [@PlexInfo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PlexInfo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-run-a-custom-build-of-pms-in-docker/918517 "2025-05-13T23:52:06Z")
How to Run a Custom Build of PMS in Docker To test a custom build of PMS in a Docker container (such as Unraid), you will need the full URL to the build in question, e.g., https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/… --- ## [The Plex Dance ™](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064)
**Author:** [@PlexInfo](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PlexInfo)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 4:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-plex-dance/197064 "2017-06-26T16:51:53Z")
The purpose of this is to remove all cached metadata and xml data for an item that Plex usually keeps. This helps when you want to “start from scratch” for particular item move all files for the media item out of the … --- ## [Trick: How to make Plex use a specific poster for local extras](https://forums.plex.tv/t/trick-how-to-make-plex-use-a-specific-poster-for-local-extras/914030)
**Author:** [@greggbogreggbo\_yahoo\_com](https://forums.plex.tv/u/greggbogreggbo_yahoo_com)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [April 20, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/trick-how-to-make-plex-use-a-specific-poster-for-local-extras/914030 "2025-04-20T14:32:26Z")
Hello friends, Here’s a hack to a problem that has irritated for years now. You know how the screenshot for Featurettes, Shorts, Trailers, Music Videos, and all other Movie Extras is random and uneditable? Well, here’s t… --- ## [Sample Database queries for Movies and TV Shows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sample-database-queries-for-movies-and-tv-shows/909429)
**Author:** [@ltcolumbo0](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ltcolumbo0)\ **Replies:** 12\ **Last updated:** [April 3, 2025, 2:26am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/sample-database-queries-for-movies-and-tv-shows/909429 "2025-04-03T02:26:16Z")
Many of us want to report on items in the Plex database and I’ve spent years hacking the database for data I want to see, so sharing here for the benefit of others. The queries were created using “DB Browser (SQLite)” a… --- ## [\[HowTo\] An extended guide on how to move the Plex data folder on Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-an-extended-guide-on-how-to-move-the-plex-data-folder-on-windows/197060)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 185\ **Last updated:** [March 28, 2025, 8:05am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-an-extended-guide-on-how-to-move-the-plex-data-folder-on-windows/197060 "2025-03-28T08:05:35Z")
By default, Plex server stores all its own data on the system drive, in the AppData path of the Windows user. You might want to change that location, if your system drive is a small SSD or you are simply having capacity… --- ## [PSA: Script to back up and restore Plex app data on a Windows system](https://forums.plex.tv/t/psa-script-to-back-up-and-restore-plex-app-data-on-a-windows-system/368779)
**Author:** [@alekdavis](https://forums.plex.tv/u/alekdavis)\ **Replies:** 31\ **Last updated:** [February 24, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/psa-script-to-back-up-and-restore-plex-app-data-on-a-windows-system/368779 "2025-02-24T17:02:49Z")
If you are interested in simplifying the Plex backup and restore process, check out the PowerShell script I wrote: To back Plex app data up, the script does the following: Stops Plex services (if any). Stops Plex Me… --- ## [\[HowTo\] Use Plex with No Internet](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-use-plex-with-no-internet/383325)
**Author:** [@sekthree](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sekthree)\ **Replies:** 53\ **Last updated:** [February 9, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-use-plex-with-no-internet/383325 "2025-02-09T19:01:11Z")
I’ve seen far too many posts regarding “can’t connect to Plex with no internet”, and an uprising/outcry always ensues. It eventually settles down, but the lack of single point resources can be frustrating. I’ve been ther… --- ## [Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and How-To's](https://forums.plex.tv/t/synology-faq-questions-answers-and-how-tos/490215)
**Author:** [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [January 4, 2025, 5:02am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/synology-faq-questions-answers-and-how-tos/490215 "2025-01-04T05:02:12Z")
Synology Frequently Asked Questions Table of Contents Intro: Posting in the Plex Synology Forum DSM 6 & 7 FAQ Some of these FAQ apply equally to DSM 7 and 6. Others do not. Please read carefully before proceeding. … --- ## [PMS as a service](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-as-a-service/53381)
**Author:** [@cjmurph](https://forums.plex.tv/u/cjmurph)\ **Replies:** 1165\ **Last updated:** [November 23, 2024, 5:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-as-a-service/53381 "2024-11-23T17:12:52Z")
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 P… --- ## [\[HowTo\] Reset metadata agent preferences to defaults and whack caches](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-reset-metadata-agent-preferences-to-defaults-and-whack-caches/197059)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/howto-reset-metadata-agent-preferences-to-defaults-and-whack-caches/197059 "2017-06-26T16:34:28Z")
originally provided in an older forum post here Possible to reset Plex settings, but not media information? - #4 by OttoKerner This procedure only affects the old Python-based (Legacy) metadata agents. It is now (2024)… --- ## [Use \`mpv\` features which are not exposed in Plex for Windows/Mac/Linux and Plex HTPC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/use-mpv-features-which-are-not-exposed-in-plex-for-windows-mac-linux-and-plex-htpc/830025)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 38\ **Last updated:** [March 21, 2024, 8:05pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/use-mpv-features-which-are-not-exposed-in-plex-for-windows-mac-linux-and-plex-htpc/830025 "2024-03-21T20:05:25Z")
The methods described in this post are not available in other Plex clients apart from “Plex for Windows/Mac/Linux” and “Plex HTPC” in this post: Pausing and stepping through a video, frame by frame Video zoom/crop F… --- ## [The Basics of Remote Access Troubleshooting](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-basics-of-remote-access-troubleshooting/769517)
**Author:** [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [December 2, 2023, 9:13am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/the-basics-of-remote-access-troubleshooting/769517 "2023-12-02T09:13:24Z")
When it comes to remote access, there’s a lot of different factors which can impact your setup. Some are under your own control, others not so much. First off… there’s a dedicated support article on troubleshooting you… --- ## [How to add files on a NAS to a Plex library on Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-add-files-on-a-nas-to-a-plex-library-on-windows/197062)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 26, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-add-files-on-a-nas-to-a-plex-library-on-windows/197062 "2017-06-26T16:47:56Z")
If you have installed Plex Media Server on your Windows computer, you add shares on your NAS this way: Surf to the media on your NAS using the Windows file explorer: click into the address bar of file explorer once … --- ## [How to remove tag spam and set language in several MKV files at once](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-remove-tag-spam-and-set-language-in-several-mkv-files-at-once/235537)
**Author:** [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Replies:** 32\ **Last updated:** [November 16, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/how-to-remove-tag-spam-and-set-language-in-several-mkv-files-at-once/235537 "2023-11-16T20:27:34Z")
Imagine you have ripped a tv show and the software of your choice has embedded nonsensical things into the ‘title’ tags missed to mark ‘forced’ subtitles as such added titles like ‘Surround 5.1’ to audio tracks (which … --- ## [Plex Streams Mangled on COX \[ SOLVED \]](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-streams-mangled-on-cox-solved/853312)
**Author:** [@beadon1](https://forums.plex.tv/u/beadon1)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 12, 2023, 4:27pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-streams-mangled-on-cox-solved/853312 "2023-09-12T16:27:59Z")
Server Version#: 1.32.5.7349-8f4248874 Player Version#: Plex Web 4.115.2 I have just done a lot of testing using wireshark and streaming from a remote Plex Server to a wifi-client. Frequently I was seeing stream halti… [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/c/general-discussions/tips-tricks-how-tos/142.md?page=1)