Server Version#: 1.43.3.10828-720010828
I have a Plex Media Server running on a Synology DS1522+ NAS running DSM 7.3.2-86009 Update 4. It has run successfully for years, but in the last week the service keeps stopping itself within a minute of being started/run.
I have tried restarting, reinstalling, uninstalling and reinstalling, uninstalling restarting and reinstalling. Nothing is resolving the issue. I am not able to turn on debug logging due to the server not running long enough for it to connect. I reviewed the logs on the NAS within the PlexMediaServer folder, but I am not seeing anything that calls out an error or other reason for the service to just stop itself from running.
Manually gather the server log files.
Using Synology File Station, navigate to the Plex Data Folder, right click on the Logs directory and choose “Compress to Logs.zip.”. Download the zip file and post to the thread.
Thanks for the log files. The server was scanning libraries then just stopped. There are no error entries to indicate what happened.
The logs stop at Jul 24, 2026 23:49:20.016. Was the power interrupted, the NAS rebooted, or something similar at that time? Wondering what would cause Plex to stop at that time.
Start by checking these two items. Either could keep Plex from running.
Damaged Preferences.xml
Test: Stop Plex Media Server, rename Preferences.xml to Preferences.xml.save, start Plex Media Server.
If this works, you will need to re-claim the server, as that info is stored in Preferences.xml. Libraries, etc. will still be intact, as that info is in the database. If you’ve trouble re-claiming, see FAQ 31: Reset / Reclaim PMS on DSM 7 (Not Authorized - Locked Out).
If this does not help, you can restore the original file. Stop Plex, delete the new Preferences.xml, rename Preferences.xml.save to Preferences.xml, start Plex.
The Plex Data Folder is fragile. Incorrect ownership and/or permissions can stop PMS from functioning correctly. To repair, see FAQ 32: Repairing the PlexMediaServer shared folder.
NOTE: Before running the FAQ, ensure DSM is configured to send e-mail notifications when tasks complete.
Go to Synology Control Panel → Notification → Email tab → Email section, and configure the Sender email. A Recipient Profile is not needed.
The preferences file definitely seemed to resolve the issue.
However, I’m now having playback issues as well. I can see all of the movies in my library, but when I click play I get “Playback Error: Please check that the file exists and the necessary drive is mounted.”
Any thoughts on that one? I did verify the files exist on the Synology, and that if I open them directly, they play there (outside of Plex).
Rescan the libraries.
If that doesn’t help, make sure Plex has permission to read the files.
See FAQ 29: Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and How-To's - #37 by ChuckPa
Thank you for the reminder about the Plex user account permissions. That did the trick. I really appreciate all of the help @FordGuy61!
