Failing to access server after upgrade to DSM 7

[Narusedai]

Server Version#:PlexMediaServer-1.32.7.7621-871adbd44-x86_64_DSM7
Player Version#: Plex Web 4.108.0

I have just upgraded my Synology NAS to DSM 7 and can no longer connect to the server.

I believe I followed the instructions closely but there seems to be no migration at all.

I uninstalled Plex then rebooted the NAS.
I then upgraded DSM in two steps, first to 7.0 which was selected by control panel then to the latest version 7.1.1 with a reboot between and after. I upgraded all other packages followed by another reboot.

I installed PlexMediaServer and then changed the permissions on the shares before installing again. Both installations seemed to run and end in the same way with the instructions on changing permissions.

If I start Plex Web and try to sign in I get access to the public libraries but my own libraries all have a warning triangle on the icons and the main pane says the server is unavailable.

I can’t find a migration log.

Can someone please let me know what my next step should be (or what additional information I need to post).

[dbirch]

@ChuckPa Can you lend a hand here?

[ChuckPa]

@Narusedai

Can you confirm for me that you still have:

Plex / Library / Application Support / Plex Media Server

(Use FileStation to do this)

If you do still have everything in the “Plex” shared folder

Then,

1. Uninstall the DSM 7 Plex app – Choose the ERASE option ( radio button 3 )

2. Using this procedure, Start at “Scenario 2, Step 5”
   – Create a permissions rule for “PlexMediaServer” (the new name on DSM 7)
   – Give FULL administrative Control to PlexMediaServer for the Plex shared folder
   – APPLY it to all subfolders and files

3. Wait for it to complete (it takes some time)

4. Now install PMS again

5. It should sit at “Installing” for an extended period – This is a good sign.
   DO NOT INTERRUPT IT.

6. In a new tab, open FileStation and look in the Plex shared folder

7. After about 2 minutes, you’ll see Migration.log appear.

8. You can now follow the progress of the DSM 6 → DSM 7 upgrade there.

9. When the “Installing” completes, everything will be done.

Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and a few How-To's

FAQ 27 - Migrating an existing PMS from DSM 6 to DSM 7 Upgrading PMS from DSM 6 → DSM 7 DSM 7 no longer allows us to go find the metadata directory and use it across volumes before starting PMS (This is the lack of “root” privilege blocking). As such we require the following two conditions are met we will attempt to automatically migrate you; You have an existing DSM 6-created PMS installation and PMS is installed on the SAME STORAGE VOLUME as the “Plex” shared folder (this is critical) …

[Narusedai]

Thank you for the advice.

The Plex / Library / Application Support / Plex Media Server is still there and seems to be complete so I will try this tonight.

[broodle]

Hi, I had this same issue and followed your instructions, went through a few rounds of trying to get permissions correct and finally have accessible files in my library, but ultimately I ended up in this situation:

• the migration.log file ends with “Start: Migrate Plex Media Server”
• I now have 2 Plex shares (‘Plex’ and ‘PlexMediaServer’)
• My original share (‘Plex’) still contains my files
• when I run Plex it says my home screen is empty
• I have 2 copies of a Plex server with my server name, one is not working

Did I do something wrong? What’s the point of having an empty share? Do I have to move the files over to the new server and basically start from scratch? Can I get rid of the dead copy of the server?

Appreciate any help.

[ChuckPa]

@broodle

• the migration.log file ends with “Start: Migrate Plex Media Server”
• I now have 2 Plex shares (‘Plex’ and ‘PlexMediaServer’)
• My original share (‘Plex’) still contains my files
• when I run Plex it says my home screen is empty
• I have 2 copies of a Plex server with my server name, one is not working

In the Migration.log file, it should show

Plex Media Server migration to DSM 7 started:  Fri Sep  2 21:31:18 EDT 2022
=== Fri Sep  2 21:31:18 EDT 2022 === Start: Change ownership
=== Fri Sep  2 21:44:07 EDT 2022 === Completed: Change ownership
=== Fri Sep  2 21:44:07 EDT 2022 === Start: Convert symbolic links
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:10 EDT 2022 === Completed:  Convert symbolic links
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:10 EDT 2022 === Start: Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:10 EDT 2022 === Completed:  Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:10 EDT 2022 === Completed:  Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:10 EDT 2022 === Start: Clean /volume1/Plex
=== Fri Sep  2 21:47:11 EDT 2022 === Completed: Clean /volume1/Plex

What you describe is an interrupted installation.
Did you restart the Syno?

Show me exactly what you have please

Also, do you have /Plex / Library / Application Support / Plex Media Server ?

[broodle]

My migration log:

Plex Media Server migration to DSM 7 started: Mon Jan 1 12:19:32 CST 2024
=== Mon Jan 1 12:19:32 CST 2024 === Start: Change ownership
chown: changing ownership of ‘/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Cache/fontconfig/CACHEDIR.TAG’: Operation not permitted
chown: changing ownership of ‘/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Cache/fontconfig/764b928fc99aeb29558ee70263f6f1c0-le64.cache-7’: Operation not permitted
chown: changing ownership of ‘/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Cache/fontconfig/764b928fc99aeb29558ee70263f6f1c0-le64.cache-8’: Operation not permitted
chown: changing ownership of ‘/volume1/Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Cache/fontconfig’: Operation not permitted
=== Mon Jan 1 12:19:48 CST 2024 === Completed: Change ownership
=== Mon Jan 1 12:19:48 CST 2024 === Start: Convert symbolic links
=== Mon Jan 1 12:19:48 CST 2024 === Completed: Convert symbolic links
=== Mon Jan 1 12:19:48 CST 2024 === Start: Migrate Plex Media Server

[ends there]

I guess it still looks like I have a permissions issue but I feel like I’ve changed everything to Administrator level for all ‘Plex’ local users and system internal users.

[broodle]

Also, the Plex installer ends with this, which says successful but still shows errors. I have not restarted the Synology - was I meant to?

[ChuckPa]

The first error is the important one "ERROR: Unable to migrate … "

SYSTEM ERROR 0.
– means you didn’t get the settings correct. (Apply to this folder, sub-folders, and files – when granting permissions)

We need to erase the empty DSM 7 installation
– Uninstall the DSM 7 app and click the ERASE radio button (red one)

Next,

We can fix this.

Go here, Scenario 2.

Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and a few How-To's

FAQ 27 - Migrating an existing PMS from DSM 6 to DSM 7 Upgrading PMS from DSM 6 → DSM 7 DSM 7 no longer allows us to go find the metadata directory and use it across volumes before starting PMS (This is the lack of “root” privilege blocking). As such we require the following two conditions are met we will attempt to automatically migrate you; You have an existing DSM 6-created PMS installation and PMS is installed on the SAME STORAGE VOLUME as the “Plex” shared folder (this is critical) …

You want to start at “Step 4: Change the shared folder permissions using”
You want steps 4 & 5.

Do everything there, exactly as shown. Don’t skip anything in the instructions (IMPORTANT)

When it’s complete, You will see “PlexMediaServer” has Full Control of everything in the Plex shared folder. (This is what we need)

Now install the DSM 7 plex app again.

1. It will sit at “Installing” for a while – this is expected
   – It’s performing all the DSM 6 → DSM 7 migration steps
   – Package Center doesn’t allow me to give you interim progress so I use “Migration.log”
   – Open a second tab to DSM desktop
   – FIleStation → Plex → Migration.log

2. As you watch Migration.log (takes 2 minutes to show up / start updating)
   you’ll see each step being started / completed.

3. When you see Completed: Clean /volume1/Plex, then it’s done.

[broodle]

Ok, the mistake I made was assuming the “Apply to:” dropdown in the Custom permissions modal was where I needed to select sub-folders, and missed that there was an additional checkbox in the parent modal. After selecting that, deleting and running the installer again, the log seems to indicate a successful migration:

Plex Media Server migration to DSM 7 started: Mon Jan 1 13:53:14 CST 2024
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:14 CST 2024 === Start: Change ownership
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:15 CST 2024 === Completed: Change ownership
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:15 CST 2024 === Start: Convert symbolic links
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:16 CST 2024 === Completed: Convert symbolic links
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:16 CST 2024 === Start: Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:55 CST 2024 === Completed: Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:55 CST 2024 === Completed: Migrate Plex Media Server
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:55 CST 2024 === Start: Clean /volume1/Plex
=== Mon Jan 1 13:53:56 CST 2024 === Completed: Clean /volume1/Plex

However, I still have a second, non-working ‘server’ listed in Plex, and my media files are still in ‘Plex’ (my old share) while the newly created share, ‘PlexMediaServer’ just has the app data. Are these redundancies just what I’m stuck with now or did I miss a step?

Thank you again for your help!

[ChuckPa]

We might need to cleanup a few things from the failed setup.

Give me a second to look at plex.tv

[ChuckPa]

Ok… I see

1. Verver - Seen 12 minutes ago (DSM 7)
2. Verver - Seen 2 hours ago (DSM 7) – This is the errant one?

[ChuckPa]

@broodle

However, I still have a second, non-working ‘server’ listed in Plex, and my media files are still in ‘Plex’ (my old share) while the newly created share, ‘PlexMediaServer’ just has the app data. Are these redundancies just what I’m stuck with now or did I miss a step?

Your MEDIA files will remain in the Plex share.

We put NO MEDIA in the PlexMediaServer shared folder
(It breaks)

There are warnings there in 6 languages to NOT PUT MEDIA.

You can keep your media in “Plex” right where it’s at.
All I need is for you (or anyone) to stay away from the PlexMediaServer shared folder unless getting Logs, adding Plugins or making backups.

(DSM 7 took away my privileges. I can’t fix permissions when the app starts anymore. If permissions get broken, PMS on DSM 7 fails)

[broodle]

Ok, 2 shares, one with media and one without, seems to be the intended outcome. My OCD will just have to deal with that

As for the extra server showing in Plex, I’ve manually removed it. So if that takes care of things I’ll just rebuild my home screen on all my devices around this new copy of the server. Thanks again.

[ChuckPa]

@broodle

There was never supposed to be two shared folders.
(IF I had permission in DSM 7, I’d have done all that work for you)

The original intent:

1. Movies
2. TV
3. Music
4. Photos
5. Plex (now PlexMediaServer) shared folder

OR

1. Media (example)
   – Media/TV Shows
   – Media/Kids Shows
   – Media/Movies
   – Media/Photos
   – Media/Music
2. Plex (or PlexMediaServer)

=============

If you manually removed it from “Settings - Authorized Devices - Server (dropdown)”
then that’s exactly how to do it

[AnsiG]

Hi!
My Problem is that i cannot even do “Give FULL administrative Control to PlexMediaServer for the Plex shared folder”. With the old Plex folder it does not allow me to give full permission to any internal user… The most i can do is to provide permission to read/write.

Thank you

[ChuckPa]

@AnsiG

If your Plex shared folder was created back in DSM 4 or DSM 5 then this can happen.
The DSM 6 upgrade didn’t upgrade shared folders.

The solution is simple:

1. Stop Plex
2. Rename the Plex shared folder to Plex-old
3. Create a new Plex shared folder
4. Move the contents of Plex-old to Plex
5. Now assign permissions as instructed.
6. You can delete Plex-old after you’re done.
7. After migration is complete and confirmed, you can delete Plex shared folder (unless you use it for media). You can delete user Plex. We don’t use it in DSM 7.
   – we unfortunately don’t have admin privilege in DSM 7 else this would have been done for you automatically.

[johnforz]

Hi @ChuckPa
I believe I’m having more or less the same issue as the original post. I had an existing Plex server running on DSM 6 for years, and just yesterday tried to upgrade to DSM 7 (DSM 7.1.1-42962 Update 6) and can now no longer get Plex to find my server. I tried various permissions edits and was able to give “full control” but still no luck. I still do see the Plex Media Server in Application Support on the share in File Station (screenshot below). FWIW, i have tried various uninstalls/reinstalls to no avail before finding this thread.

I guess the only question I have before I try your solution is, upon uninstall, is that third radio button option (ERASE) going to mess with my media at all (stored on the Media Server share seen in my screenshot, if that matters), or my Plex server preferences? It’s a scary, bold, red option… so I have avoided it thus far. Ha. Thanks in advance, this will be the second time you’ve come to my rescue in the past few years, i feel like I owe you a dinner or something.

[Xzorba]

@johnforz

@ChuckPa

I am actually in the same boat and just found this also. I did the DSM upgrade and repair Plex installation before finding the post about how to upgrade properly.

I removed the DSM 7 Plex using radio button 1, then installed Plex using the manual package. To correct this, is the appropriate course to uninstall Plex package using the scare red radio 3? Then reinstall again? (I do have the Plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server folder, and updated the permissions already).

[ChuckPa]

@Xzorba

I removed the DSM 7 Plex using radio button 1,

If ALL your DSM 6 Plex server info is still in the Plex shared folder,

then you want Radio Button 3 (ERASE). This erases the errant DSM 7 server which was created by “Repair”.

OTHERWISE, Let me know what you have (screenshots) so I can guide further

While developing the new package, because so many folks have big server installations (lots of indexed media), I decided to NOT forcibly overwrite an existing, valid, DSM 7 server installation. (an unclaimed Preferences.xml is still a valid server install)

What you need to do

1. Confirm all your DSM 6 server info is still in the Plex shared folder
2. Uninstall + ERASE the DSM 7 server data
3. Confirm everything in the Plex shared folder grants Full Control to PlexMediaServer (System Internal User) as I detail in the How-To/FAQ/Migration instructions.
4. Now install the DSM 7 Plex app
5. Watch it sit at “Installing” while it performs the migration (it might take a while)
   … 3 minutes for each 1000 media items you have indexed is typical.
6. In a separate tab, open DSM desktop, Look at ‘Migration.log’ in the Plex share.
   – You’ll be able to follow the progress
   – When you see Cleaning of /volume1/Plex is Completed, you’re done