Plex media server (autoupdate/check for update) doesn't work

Server Version#:1.19.3.2793-36efde971
Player Version#:

For the last 5-10 updates, my plex server won’t update from the web interface. When I logon, it tells me theres an update, I click “download update” (which works fine) and then click INSTALL. It sits for ages at “grab a cup of tea…” and nothing ever happens. The same behavior occurs when I’m on my apple TV PLEX app and it prompts me to update, I click “update now” and nothing. This all USED to work, but at least the last 5-10 versions I’m having to go into the updates folder and manually install the latest update. I have had a plex pass for ages, I miss the “ask a ninja” section of the forums. Anyway, I’ve tried everything. i removed plex, i removed all the Visual C++ redistributables. I went thru the registry and removed all plex references. I reinstalled from scratch (I did this on the last version to see if when a new update came out it would update, it did not). I’m at a total loss now. I really want to use this because I like updating it from my apple tv without interacting with my (headless) pc. I’m running on Windows 10, 1909. Any help is appreciated.

Did you ever relocate the Plex data folder of your server away from the default?
If you did, see the “Addendum” in this post [HowTo] An extended guide on how to move the Plex data folder on Windows
Then go on ⇊

If you did not, do a “manual” update:

  • 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)

No sir. I installed with all defaults. I do use a different path for my PMS data (D:\PMS) if thats what you mean, but I changed that in the plex web interface (default path for plex media) MANY MANY moons ago and it was working fine until “it didn’t”. If that makes sense. I’l take a look at your article on moving plex data, but as far as the install, I install it to the default (C;\Program Files (x86) path.

That is precisely what I mean. Please perform the steps laid out in the Addendum.

Understood, I assumed as much.
I did follow that addendum when I originally moved the data, I recall it now that I see it.

I have verified that the “LocalAppDataPath” is correct in both the Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server (Key “LocalAppDataPath”) as well as verified the update service path in HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\SOFTWARE\Plex, Inc.\Plex Media Server\ which is also correct.

For the record, I had to make no changes this time because everything you mention above was already set properly.

Awaiting next steps, thanks for your consideration.

(FYI - I’m an Engineer by trade, so I’m very technical if you need specific details do let me know.)

Did you download and install the newest runtime? Worth a try. (2015-2019)

Happy do to that. Do we need both the 32bit and 64bit archecticture? Is it safe for me to install the “old” version of plex and then try to do the “upgrade” to the latest version again? I’m already on the latest version as I’ve manually updated.

For the server you only need the 32 bit version, but if you also use the Windows client apps, get the 64 bit version as well.

As long as you don’t use some “uninstaller” or “registry optimizer” software, it is safe to uninstall and reinstall older versions.

Understood. I have removed and reinstalled both the 32bit and 64bit redist. I do not use “rovio” uninstaller or the like, as they tend to be problematic based on my experience. I just use the standard appwiz.cpl (add/remove control panel). At any rate, I appear to be to efficient for my own good as I’ve already cleaned out my updates folder so I only have the latest ( Version 1.19.3.2793). I will wait until the next update and try again. fingers crossed I’ll update the thread accordingly at that time, thanks for your help.

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So, I launched Plex on my apple TV tonight and was met with an update. I tried “update now”, waitied a while, no update and no sign of anything happening. I logged onto the machine with my plex server, checked the webinterface and there is an update available, update 1.19.3.2831. I did not attempt to run it manually yet because I wanted to post results here first. I also checked my log folder, under the install log, I see no logs from today so to me (it appaears) nothing is executing. I shall await word before I manually update it.

Another question: did you also change the installation location away from the default C:\Program… to a different drive or folder?

No sir, I installed it to the default path. (C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server)

OK, did you try the update?

Yes sir, I did. I notice my AppleTV prompted to update, I tried “update now” , waited about 15 minutes, nothing changed. I also remoted into my box, tried the “update” from the web app, watched it wait for that cup of tea for about 10-15 minutes, again nothing changed. I have not run the update manually yet, as I wanted to find out if there were any logs, etc that you may need before I did so. I can update it at any time, manually, I have just been trying to get it fixed so I can update it thru my apple tv as I could before since my host box is headless and I’d rather not interact with it if I don’t have too.

Can you check if the “Plex Server Update service” is still running?

So this is interesting. Normally when I look at that, it’s running and all is fine (The PlexUpdate Service). My machine reboots daily so I assumed it would be up as normal. When I checked, however, the service was set to automatic but it was NOT running. I started the service, went back to the web interface, ran the update and it was successful. This is interesting to me, as in the past the service was running. Is there a log for the plex update service that I can review? At this point, it did update so I appreciate the direction. (I know that service was running in the past, I checked that before myself, so I was very surprised to see it not running this time.)

I am not aware of a separate log. But normally you should find something about services in the Windows event log.

You could try and set it to start “delayed”.

Fair point. It may be a race condition with other services, I’ll set to delayed and once the next update releases, I’ll report result. Thanks for the guidance.

Thanks for all your help, @OttoKerner, the update today ( 1.19.3.2843), updated succesfully from my Plex AppleTV app. It appears setting that service to delayed start has eliminated whatever condition may have been causing it to fail. I’m happy I don’t have to manually update anymore as of now, I appreciate your patience in helping isolate root cause. Have a great day, this thread can be closed.

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