# Cannot add media source to library (linux)

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-add-media-source-to-library-linux/602078>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Tags:** server-linux\
**Created:** [June 10, 2020, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-add-media-source-to-library-linux/602078 "2020-06-10T14:51:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\
**Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 4:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-add-media-source-to-library-linux/602078/2 "2020-06-10T16:02:22Z")

</div>

The Plex Media Server on Linux based systems is using a dedicated local account (`plex`). That account must be able to see the files and to “execute” the directories (so Plex can drill down through the folder structure).

> [@Linux Tips](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247):
>
> Tips & Tricks of the Linux trade. Below, you’ll find a collection of tips, tricks, and how-to’s to help make setting up, administrating, and using Plex Media Server on Linux a little easier. [Reporting problems](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/20)[Using other hard drives (Windows or Linux) with PMS](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/2)[Customizing your Plex configuration on systemd based systems](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/3)[Using other EXT4, NTFS, or other drives (internal or USB)](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/2)[Mounting CIFS + SMB network shares for Plex use](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/4)[Mounting NFS network shares for Plex use](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/5)[Moving…](https://forums.plex.tv/t/linux-tips/276247/6)

PS: not sure if there’s any additional obstacles / restrictions implied by the particular distribution

---

_[View the full topic](https://forums.plex.tv/t/cannot-add-media-source-to-library-linux/602078)._