Only sound when playing video in a photo library

Plex Players Mobile Devices
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I’ve been following several related threads on the forum hoping for a fix for the photo folder videos not playing on Android apps. I can’t believe this isn’t a higher priority for Plex. I had to turnoff auto update on my Android phones and fire TV in order to downgrade to a December version that works.

An updated app was pushed out on 2/3/2022, but it didn’t resolve the problem.

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No news from Plex about this issue after about 2 month now…

23

Same here. Videos only work from the W11/10 web client but not in Android TV or smartphone.

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24

Same issue here anything on Android clients, as I got FireTV4K with one TV, Nvidia Shield with the other and Android App on phone. Photo Library the Video (if works) only sound. Most of the time for the same video where I could hear audio, I would just get “Unable to play media”…same file!

Sometime if lucky one of those apps will show the Photos once clicked otherwise get “unable…” message on photos as well.

The photo library exactly on same storage as rest of my media so not a storage or link issue. Web interface on windows clients works like a charm!

Its really frustrating that for subscribers there should be a way to submit Tickets but seems like customer support is not something we paid for!!

2 Likes
25

Same issue here… One more for the club…

I used to be able to fix it with this https://techaeris.com/2020/03/07/plex-android-tv-not-playing-videos-settting-fix/ but can no longer find this setting in the client.

Not sure when Plex removed this option from its Android client but maybe it fits with the analysis from diondikken_gmail_com

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Same issue here: Video in Photos Library are not working - #23 by shaywood

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I’m desperate with this. Seems like the team is still not aware of this basic regression which they should have spotted themselves before releasing. Terrible software quality in association with total lack of support. I’m new to Plex, I love the concept but this ruins the experience.
I filled a form to contact them today under “billing” as they do not accept technical issues. I have very little hope :frowning:

1 Like
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Agreed. I’ve 2nd guessed myself more than once thinking that it might be a hardware issue on my and. But it appears it’s affecting all android users. I have used plex for years with only minor issues but this is Is huge.

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Looks like the latest update, 8.31, dated 2/16, fixes it!!

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Good news. This update is still in beta isn’t it ? Is there a change log ? I only can find one for official releases : Plex for Android - #415 by marekszulik

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I forget I’m a beta user. It must still be in beta. I don’t see a change log yet. I also updated the server pkg.

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I just subscribed to the beta releases on the mobile (and Android TV app) the other day and have now 8.31 as well, but now I cannot even play photos anymore on those devices, it says “playback not possible”. Great progress…

Has the issue really been resolved with you with the same release?

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Working for me on 8.31.0.31102, dated 2/16/2022

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Ok; Just tried the 8.31 Beta…its kind of working. My findings (from 8.31 - Beta):

  • If click personal video from “Recently Added” its kind of still hit-n-miss with some working and rest not
  • If you luckily clicked something from “Recently Added” that worked and move forward/backward to a file that was previously not working; it works (thus the direct click play is not working)
  • Same file that was not working from Direct-Click from RECENLTY ADDED if tried to play from actualy Library (timelines view) it works

The above applies to both random video and images (personal photo library)…what’s the cause not sure…though its clear the client+server media playing capability is for sure there…there is no codec, transcoding related issue…seems like when trying to click the personal photos/videos something happens due to which it either does not play as have two random issues:

  • Sometimes it is “Unable to play media”
  • Other times for videos only it play audio with frozen video

Not sure if someone from PLEX itself are reading these posts…

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With me, the app is not able to show any photo or video on the start screen (as “Recently Added”). In the library itself, I can click on as many photos as I want, I always get the “unable to play media” error.

But, what I figured out, is that when I’m using the play button on top when being in the library, photos and videos are played without any issues. It’s just that I can’t select the photo/video to start with… :smiley:

InkedScreenshot_20220302-074724_Plex_LI
InkedScreenshot_20220302-074724_Plex_LI1024×428 43.1 KB

Really strange behavior here…

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Unbelivable. After 5 releases later (current is 8.30.2.31202; running on Android 12) bug is still NOT fixed! Going to lower rating to 1star in store. But I’m happy I haven’t bought Plex pass, why to pay for application which doesn’t work…

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Working for me in beta 8.31.0.31102. You’re correct - embarrassingly long.

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Works (finally) for me as well on 8.31 beta!

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Happy to hear that a fix is finally available - Well, the staged roll out now just need to hit Denmark… Well I guess I just need to find a bit more patiance :slightly_smiling_face:

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You can get the latest version here Plex for Android - Announcements - Plex Forum