Well folks… PLEX still cannot play mp3 files on my Windows 10 PRO machine. I am guessing that this will not resolve itself so I hope I did purchase a Plex Pass for nothing.
At this point, why this simple function is a computer science experiment, might be the bigger question.
Anyone at all???
Sorry if this was already asked but:
Have you tried unselecting ac3 for bitstreaming?
Have you tried replacing the mpv lib? HTPC Tips and Tricks - #3 by gbooker02
Have you tried the standalone mpv player with your files?
@Mitzsch - thanks for a response!:
No - not sure why bit-streaming Dolby Digital has to do with mp3 files - and that would break bit-streaming with files that had Dolby Digital surround content. Am I missing something here?
No I have not - but in reviewing that thread content, it seems to related to PLEX HTPC; which I am not using. Admittedly a PLEX newbie - so I have to ask how these are related?
Not even sure how that is done and I had to search here to know what the “standalone mpv player” is! On a hunch I though maybe there is a player app - and looked in the Plex program gorup - but lather is is Plex and Uninstall Plex.
PS: Just looked for a standalone player in downloads and could not find anything…
I found this in your log
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.964 [10048] INFO - [MPVEngine/mpv] cplayer: (+) Audio --aid=1 (*) (mp3 2ch 44100Hz)
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.964 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] ad: Codec list:
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.964 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] ad: mp3 - MP3 (MPEG audio layer 3)
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.964 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] ad: Opening decoder mp3
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.965 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] ad: Requesting 1 threads for decoding.
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.965 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] ad: Selected codec: mp3 (MP3 (MPEG audio layer 3))
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.965 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] af: User filter list:
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.965 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] af: lavcac3enc (ac3)
Dec 23, 2022 14:44:37.965 [10048] DEBUG - [MPVEngine/mpv] cplayer: Starting playback...
It is trying to use the lavcac3enc (ac3) encoder, which seems to cause some issues with newer version of Plex Desktop/Plex HTPC. It sounds a bit like Plex HTPC Frozen Playback with Latest Release (only some files).
Yes, they are related. They both use the same playback engine (mpv), therefore tips for Plex HTPC can be applied to Plex Desktop in most cases. Like changing the mpv.dll.
Okay, well the standalone mpv version is not bundled with Plex. You have to download it separately => Releases · shinchiro/mpv-winbuild-cmake · GitHub
Unzip the archive (Use mpv-x86_64-20230105-git-3a6ef81 if you are unsure which one to use) and open a terminal.
Run mpv.com file.mkv -v to see if it actually works with the absolute default mpv settings, from there on we can add options used by Plex and determine when it breaks.
I’ve disabled pass-through on Dolby Digital - no joy.
I’m using 64-bit W10 Pro but I downloaded the one you suggested. I’ve extracted the zip but its not an installer or an exe. Why is everything with Plex a computer science project?
I can install 10 different media apps that play mp3’s and will work “out-of-the-box” - but for PLEX, I have to muck-about with DLL’s… wow.
Those instructions are not clear…
I just tried both approaches and both give me different errors… so unless you can be more specific with instructions not sure where to go.
Hi Mitzsch - I need to back-up here a bit. After reviewing the various links you provided - each of those with numerous links as well - I’ve decided that I do not want to make Plex my next computer software project. Sorry - but I did not pay for a Lifetime Plex Pass to spend a lifetime figuring out why it can’t play a stupid mp3 file.
I can play mp3s’ with three other programs installed on my machine - never mind just dragging one directly into any Chrome browser - but for some reason Plex won’t do it.
…and although there has been some “intelligent guessing” on this thread (and I’m grateful for it BTW - hats-off to contributors), I am will not go down the rabbit-hole as you’ve suggested… at least not without some hand-holding.
Okay, but was definitely worth a shot.
The version of mpv does not need to be installed. It can be used as a portable program. I´ll explain how to later.
Well, that’s probably the nature of windows software or software for PC in general, not specially related to plex. Not every PC is equal and hardware configurations vary widely, so “bugs” or “does not work” situations are to be expected.
The dll thing is just for testing and diagnosis. Other media apps have different problems 
Exactly! Hit the windows key, type cmd and hit enter. A black window with a blinking cursor should be visible.
With run I mean to execute the command I have in my post. mpv.com file.mkv -v but if you type just that it will probably not work… So let’s do it the simple way. Open the folder with the unzipped mpv download and drag the window to the left of your screen, then open the terminal as described above and snap it to the right side of your screen. You should now have two windows in front of you. In the left one, the unzipped mpv folder, you should see a file called mpv.com, drag it into the terminal. Like you would with a basic file, that you want to copy to a different location. Please hit the space bar once, so that there is a “space” between mpv.com and the next command.
In the terminal, you now should see the path with mpv.com at the end. Then take the music file you want to play, and drag it into the terminal, after that hit space and type -v if done, hit the “enter” key. A window should open and ideally, you should hear the music. If this is the case, we know mpv is able to play your file on your PC… From that position, we can continue to add commands behind the -v to achieve the settings from Plex. If we know what settings break it, we can simply make an mpv.conf with the necessary parameter changed and fix your problem with that! Isn´t that cool? With other media apps, you are likely stuck with “does not work” and no way to fix it yourself…
I can understand your anger but we as a community will find a way!
(The problem with why its not working is probably the optical spdif)
I hope my guide is clear this time, sorry for not being precise the first time. It’s quite difficult to assess how skilled users are. If the guide is not clear, let me know! 
I get that - and thanks for underlining it. Just frustrated…
Was out of town for a bit and I’ll jump back into the rest of your responses and give this a shot. However, I’ve also decided to get an HDMI splitter so that I can use HDMI to my AVR - rather that a optical SPDIF. That might solve all playback ailments.
Rob
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