# Plex (application) can't play any multimedia

**URL:** <https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-application-cant-play-any-multimedia/633321>\
**Category:** General Discussions\
**Created:** [September 14, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-application-cant-play-any-multimedia/633321 "2020-09-14T03:02:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![yoonsik85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/85f322/32.png) [@yoonsik85](https://forums.plex.tv/u/yoonsik85)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 3:02am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-application-cant-play-any-multimedia/633321/1 "2020-09-14T03:02:05Z")

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Hello,

I got some issues when I accessed PMS via application (not web-based)

if i checked “Disable video stream transcoding” on PMS then “plex application (likes android app)” can’t play any multimedia. (but, it’s worked via webui, normally)

Is there anyone who know how can solve it?

Thank you!!

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**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\
**Post date:** [September 14, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-application-cant-play-any-multimedia/633321/2 "2020-09-14T04:12:39Z")

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> [@yoonsik85](#):
>
> if i checked “Disable video stream transcoding” on PMS then “plex application (likes android app)” can’t play any multimedia. (but, it’s worked via webui, normally)
> 
> Is there anyone who know how can solve it?

As [Henny Youngman’s doctor](https://www.azquotes.com/picture-quotes/quote-the-patient-says-doctor-it-hurts-when-i-do-this-then-don-t-do-that-henny-youngman-129-8-0851.jpg) might advise, do not check “Disable video stream transcoding.”

In all seriousness, if the video is transcoding, it is usually due to (a) an incompatibility with the Plex client, or (b) a bandwidth or other such limit on the server or the client. There can be other reasons as well.

To determine why it is transcoding requires additional information.

What version of Plex Media Server & what platform (Win/Linux/Mac/etc)?  
What version of the Android client and what platform (phone, TV, FireStick, etc)?  
See [https://app.plex.tv/desktop#!/settings/devices/all](https://app.plex.tv/desktop#!/settings/devices/all)

Check the settings on the Android app. Verify the following:

```auto
Automatically adjust quality = off
Home streaming = maximum/original
Remote streaming = maximum/original

```

Set your Plex Media Server for debug logs only (verbose not checked). See [Reporting Issues with Plex Media Server](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201643703-reporting-issues-with-plex-media-server/) for instructions.

With no other server activity (users streaming, adding media, etc), play the problematic video, with subtitles off, on the Android app. Monitor playback with [Plex Dashboard → Now Playing](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200871837-status-and-dashboard/#toc-1:~:text=subscription.-,Now%20Playing,At%20the%20top%20of%20the%20Dashboard%2C%20you%20can%20see%20media%20that%E2%80%99s%20currently%20being%20played,-from%20the%20server%20in%20the). Toggle the button on the top-right to expand the playback information if necessary.

What does it show?

- Is the connection local/remote/indirect?
- Are the video and audio streams direct playing/direct streaming/transcoding?
- Include a screenshot if possible.

If still transcoding, then stop playback, wait two minutes, and pull the log files. Attach the entire ZIP file to the thread (just drag it into the compose window). See the “Reporting Issues…” article for details on log retrieval.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2020, 4:12am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-application-cant-play-any-multimedia/633321/3 "2020-12-13T04:12:50Z")

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