Linux: PMS service won't start (intermittently)

I can show you how to make Plex run as your username on Linux.

Once done, you and the default user plex won’t ever argue about ‘neurotic permissions’ anymore. If you can see a file, so can it.

The detailed procedure is here (it shows more of what can be done).

For you, the procedure is as follows (substitute as appropriate here)

  1. Stop Plex
  2. sudo systemctl edit plexmediaserver (the editor will open)
    – In that file add
[Service]
User=your_linux_username_here
Group=your_linux_username_here
  1. Save the file
  2. Now change the ownership of all PMS’s operating files so they are owned by that username. (this might take some time to complete so be patient)
sudo chown -R  your_linux_username:your_linux_username /var/lib/plexmediaserver
  1. sudo systemctl daemon-reload
  2. sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver

When this is complete, Plex will be able to see whatever your username can see.