Plex Apps No Longer Support PMS on older hardware

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.14.1.5488-cc260c476 -> 1.21.1.3766-7e23ef53c
Player Version#: whatever is current on Android, Roku, and web

Lifetime member here. I haven’t been able to update my PMS for a long time because, I was told, whoever builds the 386 .deb changed their build environment. That was fine and I was happy with using PMS 1.14 to stream my content because, frankly, the free content offered by Plex is sub-adequate to my tastes.

Now, all Plex apps have broken with my server. IF YOU HAVE OLDER HARDWARE, DO NOT USE PLEX. Granted, my stuff is old but this runs against a Linux fundamental - of backward compatibility. My Pihole, and other software, somehow, manage to run just fine.

When I update to 1.21, PMS won’t even start:

Dec 14 09:03:37 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Stopped Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down.
Dec 14 09:03:37 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Starting Plex Media Server…
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has begun start-up
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has begun starting up.
Dec 14 09:03:37 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Started Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished start-up
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished starting up.
Dec 14 09:03:38 camarasaurus kernel: traps: Plex Media Serv[4081] trap invalid opcode ip:b71e2ebc sp:bf92d320 error:0 in libopencv_imgproc.so.3.1[b70d6000+23b000]
Dec 14 09:03:38 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Main process exited, code=dumped, status=4/ILL
Dec 14 09:03:38 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Failed with result ‘core-dump’.
Dec 14 09:03:43 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Service hold-off time over, scheduling restart.
Dec 14 09:03:43 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Scheduled restart job, restart counter is at 2.
– Automatic restarting of the unit plexmediaserver.service has been scheduled, as the result for
Dec 14 09:03:43 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Stopped Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down.
Dec 14 09:03:43 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Starting Plex Media Server…
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has begun start-up
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has begun starting up.
Dec 14 09:03:43 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Started Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished start-up
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished starting up.
Dec 14 09:03:44 camarasaurus kernel: traps: Plex Media Serv[4103] trap invalid opcode ip:b728aebc sp:bff15790 error:0 in libopencv_imgproc.so.3.1[b717e000+23b000]
Dec 14 09:03:44 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Main process exited, code=dumped, status=4/ILL
Dec 14 09:03:44 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Failed with result ‘core-dump’.
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Service hold-off time over, scheduling restart.
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Scheduled restart job, restart counter is at 3.
– Automatic restarting of the unit plexmediaserver.service has been scheduled, as the result for
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Stopped Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has finished shutting down.
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Start request repeated too quickly.
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: plexmediaserver.service: Failed with result ‘core-dump’.
Dec 14 09:03:49 camarasaurus systemd[1]: Failed to start Plex Media Server.
– Subject: Unit plexmediaserver.service has failed
– Unit plexmediaserver.service has failed.
Dec 14 09:06:38 camarasaurus sudo[4399]: myron : TTY=pts/0 ; PWD=/media/myron/PlexDrive ; USER=root ; COMMAND=/bin/journalctl -xe

So, it would appear my only solution is to buy a new server.

Thanks PLEX for forcing me to buy new hardware! My budget really could use the expenditure right now. /s

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What is your current hardware and OS?
It runs on a raspberrypi, the hw requirements are REALLY LOW.

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Nobody’s forcing you to buy new hardware. I suppose it’s fair to get off automatic (client) software updates if you notice you’re no longer able to update your server (or take the willing decision not to update). At the very least you should check the release announcements where Plex have stated the upcoming change of the minimum server requirement change.

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I’m getting one today. I figure if it isn’t enough, I’ll use the Pi for some ham radio stuff.

I just hate the fact they broke access - full stop. I was fine with limited capabilities because I mostly use it for music but we do watch movies on it from time to time.

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I had stopped the updates about a year ago. Everything was fine until the Roku, web interface, and Android apps stopped working with my server.

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I’m still running PMS 1.14, as well. Not because of older hardware, but because I’m not a fan of the UNO interface. I’ve no intention of upgrading.

I recognized that the client apps would stop working, at some point. It appears that day has arrived. No problem. I stream everything via DLNA, now. It’s a shame they try to force “upgrades” when you’re otherwise perfectly content.

My contentment exposed another invasive aspect of PLEX. That is, you can’t stream your personal media to Chromecast via the Web App on your private network unless you “claim” your server? Should I turn my webcam on for you, too?

There are indeed work-arounds, but not if you’re married to the PLEX client apps. As is the case with any marriage, you’ll be required to buy new things and give up your privacy.

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Please think about whom you are giving your data to. Chromecast is owned by Google, the largest curator of personal data in the world. Plex is a tiny company in contrast, collecting metrics on performance quality, and the like. Not out to sell your viewing habits to the world, like Google will happily do.

I fear your perceived invasion of privacy is a bit off the mark.

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I threw my Chromecasts in the junk drawer a long time ago.

PS Security threats and exploitations come in all shapes and sizes.

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