Plex doesn't install updates anymore

Server Version#: 1.16.4.1469

My server sees a new update.
When I click on Download, it downloads.
When I click on Install, it displays:
The server “My server” is installing an update
Grab a cup of tea. This may take a couple of minutes

But the install never finishes.
When I do a refresh, it comes back to where I can install the update.

How do I attack this one?

Workaround: update “manually”:

  • Stop/quit/end Plex Server with the tray icon
  • deinstall Plex Server with the regular ‘Apps’ control panel of Windows (do not use 3rd party ‘Uninstaller’ software like Revo etc.)
  • for safety, reboot Windows
  • download the installation exe of the newer version and install it

(If you want to install an older version of PMS, take a look into %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server\Updates)


Have you ever moved the Plex data folder to a different location?

Manual install works, but that can’t be triggered from the Apple TV or the webclient when I am not at home.
So every time there is a new update, I have to be home to install it.

Yes I moved the database to a new location.

Take a look with regedit into the branch
HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server\
it appears there is still the old path referenced in there.

Before you attempt to change it to the new location, stop the system service named ‘Plex Update Service’, using the System control panel.
Afterwards reboot the system.

I had a look there and see a key LocalAppDataPath and the value is the new database location.

Are you sure you are looking into the branch HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT
and not into HKEY_USERS\CURRENT_USER ?

Yes sir, Windows engineer here, MCSE 2016, I know regedit :slight_smile:

Hm, the root folder could be the issue.
What happens if you put P:\Plex Media Server into there?

I hope P: is a local drive?

If I would change it to P:\Plex Media Server, then the full parh becomes P:\Plex Media Server\Plex Media Server.
Yes, P: is a local drive.

Right. Put two backslashes into it, instead of just one.

P: \ \ Plex Media Server \ \ Plex Media Server?
Why?

No. Just P:\\

In the registry key?

Yes.
Yes.
yes.

Okay, will try, reboot and try update.

Tried it, same result as before.

What do you see under
Settings - Server - General - ‘Show Advanced’ - “The path where local application data is stored” ?
If it is just P:, try changing that to P:\ as well.

It’s set to P:\

grmbl
grasping at straws now

It still might have to do with the fact that you pointed it directly at the root of a drive. Certain functions are different when accessing a drive instead of a folder.

If you are brave, you can try and point Plex to a different drive letter and a subfolder on this drive. Of course it will then forget every library it currently has, but only until you change it back.
It is just to test this theory.

I will try that later, time to go to bed now, thank you very much for your patience.