Plex HTPC slow loading times compared to Plex Desktop

Plex Players Desktop Players
1

Server Version#: 1.41.7.9823
Player Version#: 1.70.1.303

Hello,

Plex HTPC (for Windows) has been as responsive as the desktop version (1.108.1.307) until a couple days where my library grew bigger enough to make it slow (3000+ movies).
Meaning it takes a lot of time (around 30 seconds) to load movie details (actors and suggestions), and same goes for loading the movie library itself (the infinite poster wall).

What tells me it is a Plex HTPC issue is that none of this happen when I use the Plex desktop application. Movie details and poster wall are as quick as before to load.
They are both running on the same computer btw.

Would you have any lead on what can cause this behavior on the HTPC client only?
Thank you for any suggestion or feedback.

2

Verify that you’re not affected: Library.db size more than doubled in latest version

Also, if you recently changed servers or a Plex friend of yours deleted/switched theirs, it’s probably worth going over the full list of servers.
Remove deleted servers of yours here: https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/devices/pms
(Crareful to delete only unused ones!)
Defunct servers of Plex friends can be left here: https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/manage-library-access

3

Thanks for your message.

“Unfortunately”, I’m not affected by the db issue (mine is around 300Mo and seems to grow slowly as expected). I never updated to beta versions, so I suppose I’m definitely out of this issue.

As for the changed/deleted/switched servers, I did not change anything since I started using Plex, and I have no Plex friend. I still checked following your links and there is just one server, as expected.

Again, the slow loading times only appear on the HTPC app, not the Desktop app.
I suspect it has to do with finding movies to fill the suggestions, on the lower part of a movie (or show) page.
On the Desktop app, the actors list appears instantly, then the suggestions after 5 seconds or so. On the HTPC app the actors list and suggestions appear together, but after 20 seconds or so.
That’s what tells me it could be an HTPC issue.

By looking at the console, the following request is what takes time on HTPC:
Request: [redacted IP:port (Subnet)] GET /hubs/metadata/31149/related?excludeElements=Actor%2CCollection%2CCountry…

On Desktop, the request is different:
Request: [redacted IP:port (Subnet)] GET /library/metadata/31149/related?includeAugmentations=1&includeExternalMetadata=1&includeMeta=1

Should I try optimizing the db and cleaning the bundles from the troubleshooting Plex server settings?

4

First, I’d like to confirm another thing:
Do you have any drive letters connected to a currently switched-off/disconnected NAS or file server?
I seem to remember that this can also cause a major delay on start of HTPC, for some reason.

5

Nothing like that no. I have an external 4 disc bay connected to my computer. The computer runs the server. So everything is local, running under Docker on a SSD.

6

On the computer that runs Plex HTPC?

7

That’s right. i7-12700K, 32Go RAM, RTX 4080. I can’t see the computer beeing the culprit, unless this is more a file management issue.

Medias (movies and their posters) are on the external HDD bay (connected via USB 3.1 and pooled with StableBit DrivePool) while the server is on the internal SSD.

Again, Desktop app doesn’t have the same issue. I also tried Kodi to check and it loads fast, using the PlexKodiConnect plugin. I’d really like to stay on Plex HTPC though.

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