Plex Media Server Version 1.20.0.3181 on QNAP NAS: Could not create PlexData share error

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.20.0.3181

Hi,
after updating to version 1.20.0.3181 the following error occurs directly when the server starts:

Message: WARNING: Could not create PlexData share. Further assistance is available in our Support Forums. Continuing without.

BR/JO!

2

It’s unfortunately painfully known this doesn’t work for everyone.

I am ripping it out for now . I need to wait for additional support / bug fixes / something. It works for almost everyone and that is the problem. It must work for everyone.

Since I cannot make it work, I am ripping it out for 1.20.1 (next release)

You can

  1. Manually create a “PlexData” share for now.
  2. It will use it without generating errors.

After the next update, you can safely delete and forget it.

3

Hi @ChuckPa

ok, thanks. Seen the first time…
Does this have any side affects?
What does the “PlexData” directory store?
Can you send me the path where the directory should be created?

In my case the error only occurs when the service starts. I think for now it is not critical, right?

Thanks JO!

4

Its main use is to allow us to (easily) backup Plex data/database and access logs etc.

[edit: @ChuckPa answered way better than I ever could]

5

The “PlexData” shared folder is a simple placeholder.
It doesn’t store any real data.

It had only one file entry in it: “Plex Media Server”

That file isn’t a real file.

It’s a link to where your real “Plex Media Server” directory is in QPKG.

I’ve taken the functionality of PMSLibShare and built part of it into the main package.

To your other questions:

Q: Where should the Shared Folder be created?

A: You can create it anywhere but I recommend you create it on DataVol1. Use the Control Panel - Shared Folders page to create it. Let QTS do all the work.

Q: Are there any side effects?

A1: Right now, it creates a stupid and unpredictable error because something is different in the QTS versions. It all works perfectly for me on my TVS-1282 and TS-128A but doesn’t work for everyone else. We are completely baffled and QNAP isn’t very responsive.

A2: Where should you create the shared folder? DataVol1. (/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA for most users or MD0_DATA for older legacy volumes)

I am going to make one final change to the QTS package.

  1. I will no longer create the shared folder “PlexData”
  2. IF, however, when Plex starts, if it does see a shared folder named “PlexData” it will create the link so you can access your Plex data / database / logs from FileStation.
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6

Addendum,.

I ripped it all out last night.
Having slept on it, I am really not happy with revoking all the functionality.

My morning tea is getting cold and I’m putting the functionality back in, as OPTIONAL.

What’s wrong with me? :thinking: :rofl:

2 Likes
7

Great, many thanks for your help!

I will ignore the alarm for now if I restart the server until the next release.

BR/JO!

8

Are you willing to give a try to the package I’m building now?

I have the changes complete. I am almost done testing them here.

9

Hi!

Sure!
I can test it for you on a QNAP TVS-672N with QTS-4.4.3.1381 (latest)

BR/JO!

10

@jo_strasser

Here’s the link

How to use this:

  1. Delete the PlexData share and have it “Remove” the contents (there’s only one file there which I create)
  2. Install this package.
  3. You should see NO ERRORS
  4. If you want to use the “PlexData” feature.
    a. Create a PlexData share anywhere you like. I recommend creating it on DataVol1.
    b. Assign the access permissions however you like.
    c. When complete , Restart PMS.
    d. You will now see Plex Media Server in the PlexData share. Clicking it will take you to metadata, databases, and logs under .qpkg
11

Hi again,

yes, now it works without any errors while starting the server. Thanks!

That Plex shows that an update is available is maybe normal for now because the build of you is behind the latest official release.

PlexMediaServer-1.20.0.3125-9661fc77c-x86_64.qpkg
Official: PlexMediaServer-1.20.0.3181-0800642ec-x86_64.qpkg

12

Super and thank you for testing.

That’s correct.

My developer binary package is a version behind.
I don’t keep it at the ‘bleeding edge’ for this type of work. There is no real need.

To verify for me please?

  1. If you create a PlexData share
  2. Assign permissions as you want
  3. Restart Plex
  4. There is a Plex Media Server clickable link in PlexData when using FileStation?
  5. If you mount the PlexData share via SMB/CIFS, you can follow it directly from PlexData -> Plex Media Server -> any of the folders or files there ?

Lastly, If you do not have a PlexData share, there are no errors indicated at startup?

13

Hi!

Correct, I hav not a PlexData share and the error does not appear.
If you want I can test the described creation of the folder… is there a way to remove the folder after testing?

Thanks JO!

14

Yes…

All you need do is

Control Panel
Shared Folders
Create a share named PlexData
give it permissions so you can see it.

Restart Plex

Open the shared folder in File Station.
Click “Plex Media Server”
You should be able to navigate into the Plex metadata area with ease (click)

When done, delete the share

15

Ah…

I wanted to do the procedure now but have seen that the Directory was already created (I have missed that yesterday):

image
image1381×35 2.06 KB

But the “edit share” and “edit permissions” buttons are greyed out.
Now I have deleted the share and restart Plex, the error does not appear.

BR/JO!

16

Please allow me to detail the final change I submitted for QA.

It has already passed the testing but they will test it again as witness.

The PlexData feature provides one thing: It provides a linkage in FileStation so you can access your Plex metadata, Logs, and Preferences.xml without ever using the command line should you ever need.

Because this exists, you can easily make backups or restore from major failures.
Most importantly, you have easy access to gather the logs so we may help you if there is ever a problem and PMS won’t start.

This capability exists on Synology NAS systems, in a slightly different form, now and has worked well since it was created.

How this will work on QNAP:

  1. I will not create a PlexData share anymore.
  2. If you want to use the feature, you only need to create a shared folder, named PlexData and place it anywhere you like on the NAS. I recommend creating it on DataVol1. You assign any & all permissions as you wish in case you wish to limit access. It will work over the nextwork with SMB (CIFS) if you allow it.
  3. When Plex starts,
    a. if it sees a PlexData share exists, it will create/update the Plex Media Server link in that shared folder.
    b. if it does not see a PlexData share, it does nothing.
    c. The usage is 100% optional.
  4. It won’t use any disk space (4 K bytes is the maximum it can ever use) unless you decide to put other things there.

If you ever use the App Center Migrate To function, PlexData will be correctly updated when PMS starts (after migration is completed by QTS). The link you find in File Station will always be pointing to the correct location.

That’s it.

1 Like
17

Jo,

For you,

  1. Delete the shared folder (REMOVE)
  2. Now create fresh & assign permissions as you wish.
  3. (re) start Plex.
18

Thanks @ChuckPa for the explanation and your help! :slight_smile:

Can you say which upcoming version of Plex Media Server will get the changes?
Right now I am running on your build, I have to monitor the release manually.

BR/JO!

19

FYI you cannot go back to chuck’s version once u updated to the latest.

Might be that my case onlt I have migrated Plex to an SSD volume …

So I am stuck until the fix - unless I wish to reinstall !!

20

  1. I am trying to get this change into this very next release: 1.20.1

  2. @spikemixture

Yes, you can go back to the production version IF the PlexData share already exists AND it remains (if unused).

My change does two things;

  • Makes using PlexData optional.
  • No longer creates it. I had no choice but to have the admin (you) do it due to QNAP’s share creation mechanism. (I don’t want your password every time there is an update)

In all cases, whether production or the update, If the PlexData share exists,

  1. It does not attempt to create it again
  2. It uses it wherever it is found.

I apologize again for the complexity and confusion. QNAP really pulled a doozy here on me. (mutters something about QNAP’s software team) :rofl:

1 Like