Changing PMS storage location on Shield

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.19.5.3112
Player Version#: 8.3.1.19108

Hi,

My 2019 Shield’s internal storage maxed out a month ago. Although it says I still have 764 MB available, it won’t update anymore as PMS has become so large (cir. 12 GB).

I’ve tried adopting Internal storage, but once that was done in Shield settings, Plex’s move storage location kept giving me an infinite spinner (or at least 27 hours of it) right after clicking “Let’s do it”.
I’ve now removed that adopted storage, and it displays as a simple removable storage. Once again, I only ever get an infinite spinner.

I cannot view the console simultaneously to try and pinpoint an issue as connections to the server are cut once the “change storage location” process is commenced.

Also:

  • Yes, I’ve followed the instructions on the relevant Plex articles to the letter numerous times to no avail.

  • This post ( Can't change the data location ) describes my exact same problem, and the fix rolled out in PMS v1.18.2.2031 supposedly resolved it.

  • Probably has nothing to do with the subject matter, but in Plex’s Shield settings, under “Plex Media Server”, it’s always marked as “Stopped” and not “Running”, even though it is actually running.

I’ve tried everything I could think of in the past month, and would really appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks a lot!

2

I’ve got the same issue.
Deleting data, uninstalling updates or rebooting changes nothing.
The server also always says it’s stopped in the settings.

3

Just wanted to add I’m having the exact same issue. It has made Plex unusable for me sadly

4

A factory reset also didn’t solve it.

5

Really wasn’t looking forward to going through that, so thanks for trying. Weird that resetting doesn’t remove the issue, since no one else seems to have this problem…

6

If that didn’t get Plex working again, you’ve got a serious problem somewhere.

You didn’t mention where you were trying to move the Plex data to? Were you using a usb drive or an external hard drive? I’ve seen issues with USB drives. You can try reformatting them while attached to the Shield first before using them. Doing that usually gives better results.

1 Like
7

Is there no fix for this yet? I have the same issue. I’ve tried numerous times, clean installs also and I can’t change the location of my databases to an external usb harddrive. Its not as if the media server can’t see the harddrives as its reading music,tv and films from them. There was an update to the media server on my shield on the 2nd Oct the issue is still there even after an uninstall and deleting all known data from internal drive.

8

Hello,

I am running plex server version 1.20.3.3437 on shield TV pro version 8.2.0(32.6.435.1) and I have the exact same issue.
Plex status is shown as “stopped” but it is currently running and I can access it locally (via the shield or web) and remotely.

When I click on storage location, I need to click on “let’s do it”.
After that, the infinite loop begins. I cannot even reach the screen to choose the location where to move.

small precision : plex player version is 8.7.2.20952 if it can help.

Thanks,

9

Hi,

Yes, I was trying to move it to a USB 3.1 drive. Following your advice, I did the same with a WD HDD, which resulted in the same infinite loop as previously described.

However, I’ve now managed to get it working, by doing the following:

  1. Download a file manager to your Shield (I used ES File Explorer).

  2. Access the Plex folder, SD CARD > PLEX MEDIA SERVER > DATABASE BACKUPS
    Here you’ll see DB backup files with their individual date attached to the file extensions. Copy the most recent one to a standard external USB drive or hdd.

  3. Factory reset the Shield (unplugging any external drives before doing so).

  4. Set it up as it used to be (fixed IP’s, mount NAS’, etc…).

  5. Start Plex, use as PMS, let it begin. Once that’s done, go to settings and move storage location to an external HDD (that was what I did, unsure whether a USB drive works too) as a removable drive (that’s what Plex recommends and didn’t want to mess it up again). It was lightning quick.

  6. Stop the server, force stop the app. Using the Step 2 drive, overwrite the fresh install db file with the backup we saved (remember to remove the date from the db file!).

  7. Start plex up, it should have your whole library there. Initiate a scan of your folders, let it download all the metadata, and it should be working perfectly!

However the bug whereby the “Server Stopped” is displayed in settings whether it’s running or not is still there.

Thanks for your help, and I hope this works for you too!

10

Hi,

Thanks for the update !
I will give it a try this evening as the plex is used by now by the kids :slight_smile:
and let you know it worked for me too.

Kizar.

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for the solution: “Stop the server, force stop the app. Using the Step 2 drive, overwrite the fresh install db file with the backup we saved (remember to remove the date from the db file!).”

I found the backup, but where is the main db file located that is to be replaced?

I haven’t started this process as I didn’t want to get stuck trying to find where this will go.

12

Can’t remember exactly, but it was pretty obvious at the time. There’s very few folders, maybe 3, one of them will have a .db file and that’s the one you want to overwrite. I’ll check and let you know.

13

Same problem here after many suggested attempts and factory defaults.
Seems the only solution would be to load the USB drive as removable storage and that in itself is a problem.
I loaded an USB drive as internal storage seeing as this Nvidia Shield TV (2017) isn’t dedicated to only Plex usage. The second USB port is thus the only port remaining for USB controllers and / or USB air mouse (non bluetooth) devices.
Thus it appears to be an oversight in software design.
I’m open to other ways of using the USB drive as internal storage for the PMS data.

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