Server Version#: 4.6.1
Player Version#:
When using Plex via Roku, after using it previously, the options on the left side of the panel are not useable. (not highlighted). If I reboot Roku, it forces Plex to “restart”. The left side options are now available again.
Can I restart Plex w/o restarting Roku?
Thanks
You can’t restart Plex even if you do restart the Roku.
You can restart Plex by right clicking the System Tray Icon and selecting ‘Exit’ from the menu. - then start PMS again from Start, or your handy Taskbar Icon - if you make one.
When I restart Roku, and then reselect Plex, I can see Plex restart. ( i.e. the word Plex comes up, and it goes through splitting the word, leaving part of the “X” . ) If you reenter Plex from Roku, it goes straight to the options menu, which won’t be useable on the left.
That’s misleading.
All you’re doing is rebooting the Roku.
That doesn’t restart the server.
I do it myself often - not for the reason you do, but still quite often.
A Roku loves a restart now and then. <—when anything strange
happens. <—or before it happens. <—if you know it’s gonna happen.
For about 15 years before I even try to use my FireTV Plex App, I force stop and clear cache. Saves me having to do it after it blows up.
Roku uses fast restart functions (even when that’s off) so when you turn off\on the Roku or use the “restart” command it doesn’t actually reset the state. To clear it, you’ll need to pull the power cable for about 30 seconds if you can’t do a full “exit” from the Plex app (which sounds like the case since you can’t see the menu).
I’m not doing that - and in my experience it doesn’t help anyway.
The Roku will freak out occasionally - and a restart from the menu is all it needs.
I haven’t had the same “broken left-menu” issue you’re describing, but others have been discussing it here, including a mention from Plex staff.
Plex Left Menu Requires Roku Restart - #18 by ljunkie
I’m not aware of any way to force-quit a Roku app. After they’ve been launched they exist in a “rapid restore” state, even if other apps have been launched in the meanwhile.
“System restart” of the Roku does appear to quit apps.
I suspect the limited memory is nearly deprecated units is causing a system wide cascade failure, but you know what… I see reasons to restart my Roku Ultra occasionally - when it becomes possessed by Satan - so 6 of 1, half dozen of another, right?..lol
It’s much like the new Windows restart vs shutdown functionality (I say new but it’s since Win8). Shutdown doesn’t actually clear states anymore because of the fast start-up expectations. Restart is necessary. Roku does the same. Some apps have started providing “exit” options to force the app to restart and clear state sometimes but honestly I find it easier to just pull the power.
Pulling the power is the only way to clear things sometimes. Example Fix
Thanks for the replies. This “Left side” not functioning, has just started happening in the last three weeks. I shouldn’t have to restart (and/or unplug) Roku every time I want to use Plex.
Just hoping for a fix.
(I assume that when Plex isn’t behaving, hitting Back on the remote a couple times doesn’t bring up the Exit Options menu? That gives an Exit the channel option.)
I stopped yanking the plug to reboot - when Roku decided to include a Restart from the menu. Everything has it’s place and yanking plugs displaces them. Not going to happen.
I’d have to tear one end off the house off to yank the power on my FireTV Stick. That’s not gonna happen either…lol
That might be all you need to get her going again.
Try it.
Bummer, Man.
I’ve tried using the back button, and of course the “Home” button on Roku, and re-selecting Plex. The left side options still do not highlight.
Darn! I’m not surprised; Exit is one of the options on the (broken for you) Plex left-menu.
Here’s hoping that Plex will give a status update soon.
I assume you’re using a Roku 3 or 4?
So to summarize, I currently have to use the Restart function in Roku, which forces Plex to “restart” and everything functions correctly until I leave Plex for the day.
Yo, Volts?
If they optimize the apps so they’ll run on older units - that should make our Ultras run like striped-assed-apes.
I’m ready - make it happen…lol
You’re not restarting the Server - and to prove it to yourself - open Plexweb and restart the Roku. You’ll notice nothing happens at the server. While the Roku is ‘Rebooting’ you can browse and play and fiddle - 'cause PMS is on and ready to go.
Yes. Roku 3. I have a Roku Express in another room and it’s OK.
Plex is already the best-performing app on my Rokus!
I think Roku apps are a weird combination of code and scripting. I think they can only perform at “Roku Speed” … I don’t think Plex can supercharge it. 
I’d still try the power cable… as an example… I had a situation where my Plex thumbnails were all tiny. For DAYS! I thought it was a bug. I even got an update and it still did it. I was SURE it was a Plex bug. I rebooted via command and that didn’t do anything and finally I pulled the power cable thinking “whatever, it can’t be that” … and it was. All fixed.
Ever since then - and despite knowing for YEARS that pulling the cable fixes weird stuff on Roku sometimes (particularly if you just need something reset) - I pull the cable pretty much at first oddity. 
Agreed. Though my Roku 3 still shows a wrong thumbnail size for “play next” screen (doesn’t zoom when highlighted) but I gave up on that getting fixed.
