I'm "stuck" on Plex Server 1.22.3.4523

[kwyjibo]

Server Version#: 1.22.3.4523
Player Version#: 2.58.0.1076

I’m currently “stuck” on Plex server 1.22.3.4523. I’ve upgraded to multiple different versions, including the most recent, but when I do, Plex Media Player can’t play anything (ie movies, TV shows or even music) and I just get a general “playback error” message. If I roll back to 1.22.3.4523, it works again as normal. The issue seems to only impact Plex Media Player, as it still operates normally through a web browser or on a tablet (Android).

The server is running on a QNAP NAS.

I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling the Plex Media Player. It’s currently running on Windows 7, so trying the new Plex Home Theater is not an option until I am able to upgrade the OS.

After upgrading I’ve even left the server running idle in case it needed to update the database or something. Also have cleaned the bundles and optimized the database.

I also couldn’t see anything in the logs, but then again, I’m not entirely sure what to look for so there could be something there.

[ChuckPa]

If you would please update to one which gives you playback issues.

Then do the following:

1. Settings - Server - General - Show Advanced

2. Make certain DEBUG logging is check and VERBOSE logging is not checked. SAVE if you make changes.

3. Now recreate the playback error(s). Usually one at a time is best.

4. Settings - Server - Troubleshooting - Download Logs

5. Attach the ZIP file it gives you here so we can look at it.

( It does take a lot to learn the subtleties of reading logs. What you might have missed could be obvious and easy to fix for us. )

[kwyjibo]

Plex Media Server Logs_2021-10-06_21-19-40.zip (3.2 MB)

Thanks ChuckPa.

I’ve attached the logs as requested. I initially had verbose logging on as I misread your message. So the time stamps from around 8:50 - 9:00pm will have verbose logging. I initially tested a movie in the browser, which worked. Then went to the Plex Media Player, tried 3 moves, 3 TV shows, and 3 music files. All failed as expected. I did a final testing on my smart phone with a few movies and music, which worked as well.

Verbose logging was then disabled and I then had to reinstall the current non-functioning server as I had reverted back to my functional one (1.22.3.4523). Time stamps around 9:15pm is where I tried playing files on the PMP again, trying 3 of each.

[kwyjibo]

I’ve tried the most recent release (1.24.4.5081), still no change.

Have you (or anyone else) had a chance to review the previously attached log files? Or anything else I could attempt on my own?

[ChuckPa]

Thank you for those logs.

I apologize for the protracted delay. Equipment issues here.

Please do the following.

1. Create a Shared Folder named “PlexData”. Place it anywhere you want

2. Restart Plex then stop it (the start/stop cycle is what’s important)

3. Now, using FileStation, open PlexData → Plex Media Server.

4. With the QNAP Text Editor app installed ,

5. Right-click “Preferences.xml” → Open with Text Editor

6. On the last line, in front of the /> , place the following text

VaapiDriver="i965"

7. it will look like this when done,

SomeOtherPref="Value"  VaapiDriver="i965" />

8. Save the file

9. Start Plex

Please advise.

[kwyjibo]

Thanks for the reply, and no worries about the delay!

I can’t seem to create a Shared Folder as you describe. I get error message as follows:
"Shared Folders can also be configured as content source folders. Content source folders can browse and open multimedia files directly in a multimedia application such as Photo Station, Video Station, or Music Station.

To configure this folder as a content source folder, go to Control Panel > Multimedia Console > Content Management."

I can’t create the folder anywhere as I continue to receive that message. Multimedia Console is disabled as I have not had a need for it. When trying to create the folder as indicated, I also tried the manual folder selection and did see there is a folder within the system already created called “PlexData”, though it is not visible in the default/standard view of File Station.

And that said, there is a PlexData folder visible via Windows on the QNAP server (which has been there for quite some time now):
\\PlexData
It does not seem to be accessible though, even with my QNAP admin credentials

Any thoughts or advice?

[kwyjibo]

And for the location of the PlexData folder, that should read:
\\myserver\PlexData

I had used the < and > signs between “myserver”, which looks like the forums used as HTML markup tags.

New side note: I can create other shared folders, just not one called “PlexData” because it already exists. Unsure how I can edit this folder as it is currently invisible within QNAP. Can’t find any settings that will make it visible and/or editable.

[ChuckPa]

try here

Make certain you are an administrator when trying to do it (admin account)

[kwyjibo]

Apologies, I meant to amend my last update to include that I tried there as well (as admin).

The system already has a shared PlexData folder. For whatever reason it is not visible within FileStation, but is from Windows looking at the shared folders. While the folder is visible within Windows, it is not accessible.

This shared folder was created automatically at some point by Plex itself. It was well before the issue started occurring.

Also, the PlexData folder is visible within the Control Panel | Shared Folders settings, but I cannot edit any of the settings/permissions.

[ChuckPa]

1. Please forget Windows. If you use Windows for any of this, you’ll trash the Linux data files.

2. If you are logged into the QNAP as admin, everything is visible. It sounds like you’re using an unprivileged user account. That will not work.

This is what you’re looking for – signed into the QNAP GUI as admin.

[kwyjibo]

Oddly enough, I am logged on as admin. This has been the one and only administrator account on the QNAP since setting it up.

From the QNAP FileStation this is what I see, the shares I’ve created plus a few created by QNAP iteslf (Multimedia, Public, Web):

From Windows:

I was always curious about the PlexData folder and why I couldn’t see/access it. I’m not familiar enough with Linux so was never really sure, but was never a concern as the system did what I wanted, up until now.

And when trying to create the share as you suggested, this is what I see. The system clearly already sees a “PlexData” folder:

Also meant to add this earlier. From the Shared Folders section in the Control Panel. The PlexData folder is there but I cannot adjust/change permissions:

[ChuckPa]

Having created the shared folder –

1. Stop Plex
2. Start Plex
3. stop Plex
4. Using FileStation, as admin, NOT your PC, confirm you see Plex Media Server in PLexData.

[kwyjibo]

@ChuckPa

Media Serv

So after poking around the QNAP a bit I’ve discovered that in FileStation that if I toggle the option to Hide Volumes, the PlexData folder shows up in the folder list. However, it is not accessible and when selecting it I receive an error “The file or folder does not exist”. And as mentioned in my previous post, it does show up as a shared folder in the Control Panel, but I cannot change or adjust permissions. I tried turning on the advanced folder permissions, but that made no difference.

The Plex server created the PlexData folder a long time ago, predating my current issue. But perhaps it did something incorrectly, making it inaccessible to my admin account?

[ChuckPa]

if you wish.

1. Delete the old “PlexData” shared folder – DO NOT delete its contents (the option when deleting the shared folder)

2. Now manually create a new PlexData shared folder.

see if that works for you.

The alternative is to edit the permissions of the shared folder to give admin permission to open it in FileStation.

[kwyjibo]

I was able to delete and recreate the PlexData shared folder, and it now seems to be behaving as one would expect. Yay!

I then went back and followed your original instructions, restarting Plex, stopping Plex, then editing the Preferences.xml file as directed. Unfortunately PMP is still giving the vague “playback error” message.

[ChuckPa]

I cannot be of any help with PMP. You’ll need to ask in those player forums.
I am OS & Server support.

Does the server play properly to a browser window (Plex/web) ?

[kwyjibo]

Ok. Many thanks for your assistance. I’ll post something else in one of the Player categories.

And yes, it plays fine in a browser, as well as to a tablet and smart phone.

Did the logs yield anything useful? Looking through them myself I couldn’t identify any source of issue(s).

[ChuckPa]

That’s the thing. I don’t see anything jumping out at me. It strikes me as something completely internal to PMP and why it’s best to provide the PMP log files in that sub-forum so you can get it resolved.

[kwyjibo]

OK, thanks. I was just curious to your findings. And you’re right it does seem more related to PMP itself rather than the server. Hopefully someone in that sub-forum can point me in the right direction.

Thanks again!!