# Plex is not working - Conversion failed. A required codec could not be found or failed to install. **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussions\ **Created:** [August 10, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108 "2017-08-10T23:00:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![neo5468](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/neo5468/32/24209_2.png) [@neo5468](https://forums.plex.tv/u/neo5468)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 11:00pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/1 "2017-08-10T23:00:53Z")
I already tried getting Plex to work like a month ago, but even with some help from Discord mods, it just didn’t work. I was always getting same error; Conversion failed, transcoder crashed or failed to start up. Even when I tried to create Plex Media Server on my laptop, it gave me the same error so I figured something must have been wrong with my network settings, but I already tried opening ports and there is nothing else I can try to troubleshoot. The only file that plays is a documentary in .mp4 but only if quality is set to Original. If I try to transcode it to 720p lower bitrate or any other setting that isn’t Original, it says “Conversion failed. A required codec could not be found or failed to install”. I tried: -disabling ipv6 -using default and custom directory’s -reinstalling several times -installing Plex Media Server on different computer -disabling firewall and opening all listed ports -manually copying .dll codecs in \AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Codecs folder, but after I do that, I get "Conversion failed. The transcoder crashed or failed to start up. I even pressed page 2 on Google search when I was desperate enough to find solution to this problem. It just doesn’t want to work. I am trying to get Plex to work again because I got email with redeemable code for 1 month of Plex cloud, so this should be the best time to try Plex, if only it would work for me. Does anyone have any other suggestion I should try? I really want to use Plex, but it just doesn’t let me. ---
**Author:** ![BobSnot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/94ad74/32.png) [@BobSnot](https://forums.plex.tv/u/BobSnot)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/2 "2017-08-10T23:02:26Z")
post logs so we can see why it isn’t downloading the codecs. ---
**Author:** ![neo5468](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/neo5468/32/24209_2.png) [@neo5468](https://forums.plex.tv/u/neo5468)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/3 "2017-08-10T23:08:13Z")
It always gives me “HTTP 429 response” and “Codecs: Failed to download XML for codec ‘h264\_decoder’”, “Error configuring transcoder: Decoder install failed: h264”. Here is full log: [https://pastebin.com/rLMadNKC](https://pastebin.com/rLMadNKC) ---
**Author:** ![sa2000](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/sa2000/32/6922_2.png) [@sa2000](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sa2000)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/4 "2017-08-11T01:38:32Z")
Need to see all the log files as the relevant bit is the download of the codec before the 429s start Repeated downloads give rise to the error 429 Need to understand the reason for the repeats and that would be in the logs for the downloads beforehand It could be permissions It could be disk space It could be the windows issue with the rsa directory outlined here [https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/227341367-Windows-Key-not-valid-for-use-in-specified-state-error-and-transcoding-analysis-issues](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/227341367-Windows-Key-not-valid-for-use-in-specified-state-error-and-transcoding-analysis-issues) This would be clear from a log of s successful download before the rate limiting error 429 gets returned The way to get logs is as described here [https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200250417-Plex-Media-Server-Log-Files](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/200250417-Plex-Media-Server-Log-Files) That would give us 6 log files for the Plex Media Server logs and may be the previous ones would have covered a successful download failing when saving the codec Wait an hour or so and then retry and get all the logs And verbose logging is not needed for this - please disable it leaving just debug logging See [https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201643703-Reporting-issues-with-Plex-Media-Server](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201643703-Reporting-issues-with-Plex-Media-Server) ---
**Author:** ![neo5468](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/neo5468/32/24209_2.png) [@neo5468](https://forums.plex.tv/u/neo5468)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:36pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/5 "2017-08-11T12:36:32Z")
Okay, I disabled verbose logging and tried to play movie again. It didn’t give me "A required codec could not be found, but “Conversion failed, transcoder crashed or failed to start up”. Here is a full .zip folder of my logs, which I downloaded just a few seconds after it crashed, so it should be up to date: > **[Zippyshare.com -](https://www77.zippyshare.com/v/2OGZwrYh/file.html)** > > Zippyshare.com - Free File Hosting ---
**Author:** ![sa2000](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/sa2000/32/6922_2.png) [@sa2000](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sa2000)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:40pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/6 "2017-08-11T12:40:19Z")
> @neo5468 said: > Okay, I disabled verbose logging and tried to play movie again. It didn’t give me "A required codec could not be found, but “Conversion failed, transcoder crashed or failed to start up”. > > Here is a full .zip folder of my logs, which I downloaded just a few seconds after it crashed, so it should be up to date: > > [Zippyshare.com - [now defunct] Free File Hosting](http://www77.zippyshare.com/v/2OGZwrYh/file.html) I am not going to install any third party adware to get your logs. Please provide a direct link to your logs or attach the zip here or use proper services like dropbox or google drive ---
**Author:** ![neo5468](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/neo5468/32/24209_2.png) [@neo5468](https://forums.plex.tv/u/neo5468)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:45pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/7 "2017-08-11T12:45:47Z")
Okay sorry, I always used zippyshare for small files, but I can give you link for dropbox as well, no worries. > **[Dropbox - Error](https://www.dropbox.com/s/b3h0v7o28uqwshk/Plex%20Media%20Server%20Logs_2017-08-11_14-31-42.zip?dl=0)** > > Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them easily. Never email yourself a file again! ---
**Author:** ![sa2000](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/sa2000/32/6922_2.png) [@sa2000](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sa2000)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 12:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/8 "2017-08-11T12:59:16Z")
> @neo5468 said: > Okay sorry, I always used zippyshare for small files, but I can give you link for dropbox as well, no worries. > > [Dropbox - Error - Simplify your life](https://www.dropbox.com/s/b3h0v7o28uqwshk/Plex%20Media%20Server%20Logs_2017-08-11_14-31-42.zip?dl=0) Thank you. It is the RSA directory windows problem i mentioned - `Unexpected error configuring transcoder: boost::filesystem::unique_path: Keyset as registered is invalid` which is already covered by a support article ```auto Aug 11, 2017 14:31:33.981 [14132] DEBUG - HTTP requesting GET https://plex.tv/api/codecs/h264_decoder?build=windows-i386&deviceId=9dc4e9b9-57d8-44cb-b2a5-900c6c7b4aee&oldestPreviousVersion=1%2E5%2E5%2E3634-995f1dead&version=46b03cf-1241 Aug 11, 2017 14:31:34.207 [14132] DEBUG - HTTP 200 response from GET https://plex.tv/api/codecs/h264_decoder?build=windows-i386&deviceId=9dc4e9b9-57d8-44cb-b2a5-900c6c7b4aee&oldestPreviousVersion=1%2E5%2E5%2E3634-995f1dead&version=46b03cf-1241 Aug 11, 2017 14:31:34.209 [14132] ERROR - Unexpected error configuring transcoder: boost::filesystem::unique_path: Keyset as registered is invalid Aug 11, 2017 14:31:34.209 [14132] DEBUG - Streaming Resource: Terminated session 06265660:e2aq1fxpq8hmlw6lvfgj3cs1 with reason Conversion failed. The transcoder crashed or failed to start up. ``` See [https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/227341367-Windows-Key-not-valid-for-use-in-specified-state-error-and-transcoding-analysis-issues](https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/227341367-Windows-Key-not-valid-for-use-in-specified-state-error-and-transcoding-analysis-issues) ---
**Author:** ![neo5468](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/neo5468/32/24209_2.png) [@neo5468](https://forums.plex.tv/u/neo5468)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2017, 1:14pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/9 "2017-08-11T13:14:58Z")
I just did this and it started working for the first time. Can’t believe it. I was messing around with this RSA directory 1 month ago as well, but even when I changed it, file still didn’t want to play. That is when I gave up. But now, somehow, it is working. Even when I change quality from Original, it plays the file without any problems. Thank you sa2000, I didn’t think Plex would ever work for me. ---
**Author:** ![\_ToXIc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c67d28/32.png) [@\_ToXIc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/_ToXIc)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 12:42am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/10 "2018-03-13T00:42:57Z")
anyone know where the RSA folder is on a Plex docker? edit: created a custom location and can see the folders being populated in there. but if i use a “Cinema Trailers pre-roll video” i get the same transcoding error on web and mobile players however on openPHT it plays the Cinema Trailers pre-roll video’s fine without issue. ---
**Author:** ![sa2000](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/sa2000/32/6922_2.png) [@sa2000](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sa2000)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 1:01pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/11 "2018-03-13T13:01:43Z")
> @_ToXIc_ said: > anyone know where the RSA folder is on a Plex docker? > > edit: created a custom location and can see the folders being populated in there. but if i use a “Cinema Trailers pre-roll video” i get the same transcoding error on web and mobile players > > however on openPHT it plays the Cinema Trailers pre-roll video’s fine without issue. The RSA directory issue is a specific windows issues and would not apply to other platforms If you have a problem please provide logs See my earlier post regarding reporting issues and logs Best to ensure [debug logging](https://support.plex.tv/articles/201643703-reporting-issues-with-plex-media-server/#toc-1) enabled Restart the server to get fresh logs Reproduce the problem Capture the plex media [server logs](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) zip Attach the zip together with indication of what was being transcoded and what time the error was ---
**Author:** ![\_ToXIc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/c67d28/32.png) [@\_ToXIc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/_ToXIc)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/12 "2018-03-13T21:56:20Z")
here you go sir thanks in advance i have a few pre-roll links separated by “;” so unsure which one threw the error but it seems like they all do (unless i’m on my HTPC running openPHT) they are m2ts or mkv files. time stamp should be around 4:49-4:50 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2020, 11:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-is-not-working-conversion-failed-a-required-codec-could-not-be-found-or-failed-to-install/202108/13 "2020-01-07T23:38:57Z")