I’ve added a preroll (which plays ok on its own) and attempted to download it.
Please forgive my stupidity, where is the download in Plex/web ?
I’ve uncheck all choice under All Video in the extras menu under settings and I’ve still receiving the same error message. Will uninstalling plex from my pc and starting from scratch solve this problem?
Here are the relevant settings:
CleanShot 2025-12-16 at 09.29.37.mp4
Thanks for that.
I already have the settings enabled.
Where, in Plex/web, did you attempt to download it (so I can recreate the error)
Thank you! I had the same issue described in the thread, and this script fixed it for me.
Note for future readers - my container and appdata path was “plex” rather than “plexmediaserver” so make sure it reflects your setup. Also don’t just find and replace because the /usr/lib path is still /plexmediaserver/ on my install!
To help with the general troubleshooting:
Plex on Unraid 7.2.3 (linuxserver.io build 1.42.2).
Prior to running the script I checked the appdata / config path (was fine), updated the chown/chmod for appdata, set container umask to 002, disabled and later re-enabled the trailer sections discussed here too. None of those actions fixed it for me.
I also tried restoring my appdata from a backup from a week ago when it was working, but that failed (also all the thumbnails were missing), which makes me a bit concerned about my appdata backups! I had backed up the current folder directly before trying that so was able to roll back and continue troubleshooting.
I had run the “Optimise Database” action in Plex’s Troubleshooting settings in the last week, but I don’t believe it immediately proceeded the failure.
I can confirm I had the following error in my log:
Dec 21, 2025 17:41:04.341 [23031072111416] ERROR - Got exception from request handler: std::exception
What lines of the script did you copy and paste in, all 121? When I copy and paste into the terminal, the terminal closes immediately
My most recent logs trying to play a trailer before a movie
Plex Media Server.log (78.9 KB)
You need to make it in to a bash script, then execute the script.
- Create a new text file, e.g.
script.sh. - Add a shebang as the first line:
#!/usr/bin/env bash. - Paste the commands below the shebang.
- Ensure the file uses Unix (LF) line endings.
- Make it executable:
chmod +x script.sh. - Run it:
./script.sh.
Google for more info.
I also have this issue on macOS 15, latest version of Plex. Didn’t make any changes before this occurred, and my server is on its own Mac Mini so didn’t inadvertently do anything either.
I just had this issue crop up for me today. I was thankfully able to use a tailored version of the script noted above to get it all fixed.
Outside of just keeping a copy of the script handy for the future, is there anything else we can do to protect against this happening again? With it seemingly being an issue with the PlayQueue data, is the “proper” fix something Plex devs have to do with a future fix/update in Plex?
What was odd was that the Plex dB showed as healthy and the repair tool didn’t help fix things. I guess the PlayQueue tables aren’t assessed or fixed with the standard repair tool/script that is out there?
If people would post here prior to running sql commands information may be gathered to figure out what is going on. However everyone is ignoring that suggestion so 
First off, numerous users provided ample logs/data/info to this thread for 5 months, which resulted in no formal fix from Plex developers. Feel free to re-read this thread from May through October to see all of that back and forth.
And then ever since the noted script fix was mentioned in October, I’m seeing people continue to reply to ChuckPa’s questions whenever he asked for clarification or files for anything.
The reddit thread linked above makes it pretty clear - an error is occurring with processing of the PlayQueue data, and running this user-created script to drop and recreate those tables fixes the issue.
What makes you think Plex developers need more information or logs to solve this? Ample logs have been provided and a user-created script that fixes the issue has been developed. What else could they possibly need?
Folks,
There is an issue filed about this. I do not know when it’ll be resolved in the PMS code.
How about I add this capability to DBRepair for two things:
- Diagnose – This will be advanced diagnostic function which does a deep check of the DB. Best only to use as instructed.
- FixPlayQueue - Fix a broken PlayQueue (much like how Deflate works)
In order to write the best code the first time out, does anyone still have a Pre-Reddit-Fixed DB I can look at ?
Hi,
I have been mostly posting in this thread:
Playback Fails on All Devices - Plex Media Server / NAS & Devices - Plex Forum
I still have a DB as a backup from before I started messing around with it.
I can give it to you. Furthermore, I think there are personal data stored in the DB in some sense, so I’d rather not post it publicly.
I am also currently having this error and have not been able to fix it with the previously mentioned script. If you want a copy of my database, let me know and I’ll send it to you. Just let me know what the best way to send the file would be.
For reference, I’m running plexmediaserver via docker on Ubuntu Linux.
PMS Version 1.42.2.10156
On the web version, I get “Playback Error: An error occurred loading items to play.” when trying to play a file. On my iPhone, I get “Error Occurred: Failed to fetch play queue response.”
Playback works perfectly on my nVidia Shield (android) device.
Please hold on to a copy of the DB which is failing.
I’m working on a major enhancement to DBRepair.
That enhancement will fix problems with collections (HTTP 500 errors).
With some luck, it will also address the playlist issue.
When I’m ready to test, I’d like to reach out to you (via PM) for a copy of your DB to see what happens.
I would like to ask now, are you, or is anyone, seeing HTTP 500 (internal server error class) errors when this happens?
I have made a copy of my plex database, just in case something changes.
As for HTTP 500 errors, I am not seeing anything like that. Just the previously mentioned playback errors and “failed to fetch play queue…” errors. I can send screenshots, but they’re essentially the same as what Damionix posted back in September: Playback error: An error occurred loading items to play - #65 by Damionix
I’d try it anyway.
I previously thought my DB’s were ‘known good’ status. I was wrong.
I still don’t know what other impact fixing the indexes has but I’m sure it’s all good.
Download version 1.14.00 (released yesterday) which adds checking and fixing of indexes
had this problem with plex lxc on proxmox. restarted lxc and server, turned off hardware acceleration, updated system via apt, and updated plex. Nothing worked.
then found this thread and rand the script on this link. After running the script all worked immediately with no obvious downside.
sudo systemctl stop plexmediaserver
PXS="/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex SQLite"
DB="/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases/com.plexapp.plugins.library.db"
sudo -u plex cp "$DB" "${DB}.bak.$(date +%F_%H%M)"
sudo -u plex "$PXS" "$DB" "
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS play_queue_items;
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS play_queue_generators;
DROP TABLE IF EXISTS play_queues;
"
sudo -u plex "$PXS" "$DB" "
CREATE TABLE play_queue_items (
id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT NOT NULL,
play_queue_id integer,
metadata_item_id integer,
\"order\" float,
up_next boolean,
play_queue_generator_id integer
);
CREATE TABLE play_queues (
id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT NOT NULL,
client_identifier varchar(255),
account_id integer,
playlist_id integer,
sync_item_id integer,
play_queue_generator_id integer,
generator_start_index integer,
generator_end_index integer,
generator_items_count integer,
generator_ids blob,
seed integer,
current_play_queue_item_id integer,
last_added_play_queue_item_id integer,
version integer,
created_at integer,
updated_at integer,
metadata_type integer,
total_items_count integer,
generator_generator_ids blob,
extra_data varchar(255)
);
CREATE TABLE play_queue_generators (
id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT NOT NULL,
playlist_id integer,
metadata_item_id integer,
uri varchar(255),
\"limit\" integer,
continuous boolean,
\"order\" float,
created_at integer NOT NULL,
updated_at integer NOT NULL,
changed_at integer DEFAULT 0,
recursive boolean,
type integer,
extra_data varchar(255)
);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_items_on_play_queue_id ON play_queue_items (play_queue_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_items_on_metadata_item_id ON play_queue_items (metadata_item_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_items_on_order ON play_queue_items (\"order\");
CREATE INDEX index_play_queues_on_account_id ON play_queues (account_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queues_on_playlist_id ON play_queues (playlist_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queues_on_sync_item_id ON play_queues (sync_item_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_generators_on_playlist_id ON play_queue_generators (playlist_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_generators_on_metadata_item_id ON play_queue_generators (metadata_item_id);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_generators_on_order ON play_queue_generators (\"order\");
CREATE UNIQUE INDEX index_play_queues_on_client_identifier_and_account_id_and_metadata_type
ON play_queues (client_identifier, account_id, metadata_type);
CREATE INDEX index_play_queue_generators_on_changed_at ON play_queue_generators (changed_at);
"
sudo chown plex:plex "$DB"
sudo chmod 664 "$DB"
sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver
