"Access is denied [system:5]" Error on Windows Desktop App, Works on TV

Plex Players Desktop Players
1

Server Version#: 1.42.1.10054
Player Version#: 1.109.0.329-ea562b95

Hi,

I’m a Plex Pass Lifetime user and I’m encountering a persistent issue with the Plex desktop app on my Windows PC. Video playback fails with the error “Access is denied [system:5]”, while everything works fine on my Plex TV app, android, webapp and Apple TV. Below are the details of my issue and the troubleshooting steps I’ve already taken. I appreciate any help or suggestions from the team or the community in advance.

Issue Description

  • Error Encountered: When attempting to play a video on the Plex desktop app on my PC, I get the error “Failed to delete session directory (boost::filesystem::remove_all: Access is denied [system:5]: “C:\Users\Serveur-Rds\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Cache\Transcode\Sessions\plex-transcode-w5c8rggrykfa6sbbkryenc6o-79c6168d-2fe8-4fd0-b68e-96a9567abb18”)”.

  • Observed Behavior: While monitoring the transcode folder (C:\Users\Serveur-Rds\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Cache\Transcode\Sessions\), I notice that a temporary file is created at the start of playback but disappears almost immediately, which seems to cause the error.

  • Difference Between Devices: This issue does not occur on my Plex TV app, where playback works without any errors. On the PC, the “Original Quality” option is not available in the desktop app settings—only “Maximum” and other quality/bitrate levels are shown.

  • Impact: I’m unable to play videos on my PC via the Plex desktop app.

System Configuration

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Pro latest version for client and server

Tests and Troubleshooting Steps Taken

I’ve already tried several solutions to resolve this issue, but none have worked so far. Here are the steps I’ve taken:

  1. Checking Permissions for the Transcode Folder:

    • I verified the permissions for the folder C:\Users\Serveur-Rds\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Cache\Transcode\Sessions\.

    • I granted full control to my user account and the “Administrators” group.

    • Result: No change, the error persists.

  2. “Read-only” Attribute on the Folder:

    • I noticed that the Sessions folder had the “Read-only” attribute enabled.

    • I attempted to disable it, but it automatically re-enables itself after some time.

    • Result: No impact on the issue.

  3. Disabling Antivirus/Real-Time Protection:

    • I disabled real-time protection on my antivirus (Windows Defender or other software, not specified).

    • Result: The issue persists, the transcode file still disappears.

  4. Checking Quality Settings:

    • In the Plex desktop app, I don’t have the “Original” quality option, only “Maximum” and other bitrate levels.

    • Result: Unable to force playback without transcoding via the desktop app.

  5. Comparison with TV App:

    • On my Plex TV app, playback works without errors, and I assume transcoding or direct play is handled differently.

    • Result: Confirms that the issue is specific to the desktop app or the Windows environment on the PC.

  6. Downgrading Plex Version:

    • I attempted to downgrade to an earlier version of Plex Media Server and/or the desktop app to see if the issue was related to a recent update.

    • Result: Downgrading did not resolve the issue; the error still persists.

I already searched on lot of post and nobody got any answer that solved the issue.

Thanks for your help

2

SOLVED for me.

After trying ANYTHING, i tried to change my nic DNS (client side) and it worked ?!

For information, my ISP is B&You (French ISP) and im using Bbox Wifi 7 ISP router.

So the problem was the ISP DNS who make this…

Tf ?

:slight_smile:

3

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