Plex Media Server Backup using Synology Hyper Backup

[Fumi88]

Hi there,

I would like to backup my Plex Media Server - not my content (I know that needs backing up).

All my preferences, settings, changed artwork etc have taken me quite a while to get just right. So I’d like the quickest way back if there was a major problem.

I use Synology Hyper Backup to create a scheduled back up on a connected USB drive. It works great.

Which files and folders do I need to add to Hyper Backup?

On the support section, Plex says I only need to worry about one preferences xml file.
Is that really all I need?

Also, should I stop the Plex Media Server overnight while Synology DMS runs Hyper backup?

Any help/advice appreciated.

Kind Regards

[ChuckPa]

With all the customization of posters , possibly having uploaded/added your own, the safest backup is one which includes Plex/Library and all subdirectories below it.

This does assume you’ve not placed any media in the Plex share (Seems to be a commonly advertised method – which is incorrect utilization – by you-tube ‘experts’.

That notwithstanding, Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server (and all below it) is best practice.

[Fumi88]

Thanks for your kind response. I saw on YouTube that people advise that you stop the Plex media Server before backing up anything. Is that correct?

[ChuckPa]

yes. the database is fully quiescent

[Fumi88]

@ChuckPa

quiescent

Thank you again. Stay safe.

[hiptech]

This is exactly what I’m looking for so thanks for the info…

Just to clarify, using Synology’s Hyper-Backup and running on a daily backup schedule it is NOT necessary to DISABLE the Plex media server?

If it is this would be a real pain unless there is an automated method to do so prior to backup.

Thanks again

[ChuckPa]

If PMS is active, then the database is not quiescent. It’s “Open and in an indeterminate state”.

HyperBackup cannot backup anything sitting in RAM inside PMS.

Also, if PMS started anything while Hyperbackup was reading the Database, the backup copy could easily be corrupted.

If you can guarantee the backup does NOT run during maintenance AND nobody is using the server (play back state is maintained in the DB – don’t forget that) THEN you can USUALLY get away with it running but again, NOT a guarantee.

[Fumi88]

Hello ChuckPa, it’s good to see you on here.
Slightly off-topic (maybe) - does PMS periodically run a check on itself to ensure integrity?

[ChuckPa]

@Fumi88

It does a quick check at startup.

Under normal circumstances, there’s no reason for it to check as the DB, SHM, and WAL, are maintained by the SQLite3 libraries