Plex Media Server was unable to open its media database

Plex Media Server
1

Server Version#: 1.32.3.7162 then 1.42.2.10156

Plex Media Server Logs_2025-11-15_10-29-14.zip (742.2 KB)

Player Version#:
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

This has been giving me problems for a couple years now and I just find the server keeps getting less and less useful. I’m hoping one of you can help me.

The problem started originally a couple years ago when the server tried to update automatically and after the installation if failed to open. I think it gave me the same “unable to open database” message, but it’s been so long I just gave up on updating the server at all. I eventually found the installation package for 1.32.3.7162 and I was able to get it to install and work so I’ve been using that version since then.

Here I am, a long time later and the Server has issues showing me files that are loaded. Sometimes the server will fail to display the files as I browse the players I have (3 smart TVs and two computers) or even the when browsing the server, until I do the search function, then they appear as being on my server (along with all the options of watching from another media source). And sometimes it will not load the files at all. I can see them in the folder system, but they don’t appear in the Media Server.

Today I decided to resolve my issue but I’ve been unsuccessful.
I completely uninstalled Plex Media Server and installed 1.42.2.10156. It installed fine but when I try to run it, it crashes and gives me the message “Plex Media Server was unable to open its media database”. I uninstalled and went back to 1.32.3.7162 and it works just like it did before I started working on it this morning. Then I tried installing 1.42.2.10156 over the top of 1.32.3.7162 but that didn’t work either. I read on the forum about deleting the database file and that didn’t help.
I’ve load my server logs, if that helps.

Any info is much appreciate.

2

Take a look of the Plex Media Server.log contains any information about database corruption or malformed segments. If so…

Even if you cannot find any immediate messages, it’s worth to let the script check the database (and if necessary attempt to repair it).

3

Hey Tom, Thanks for your reply.

I looked through the log files and found ERRORs in numbers 1, 3 and 5.

When I get to the GitHub site, I’m at a loss as to what to do. I’m used to an app to d/l and execute. I tried to d/l the batch file and run it, but it only took like 1 second and I don’t think it did anything. I do know how to get to the command line and move around, but I don’t understand know what folders I need to be in, where the executable file is. Obviously I’m not a “computer guy".

4

See this post: Issue getting movies (tv shows are fine) to play on one TV and iphone - #2 by FordGuy61

1 Like
5

@rthowa

Before running DBRepair, check the installed version of Plex Media Server.

According to the log files, you were running 1.42.2.10156, but are now running 1.32.3.7162.

Going that far back will cause database problems.

First, reinstall 1.42.2. Then run DBRepair.

6

ok….i uninstalled 1.32 and re-installed 1.42

i d/l’d DBPepair-master.zip. Where do I put the contents of the zip file?

7

I’m sure this is simple stuff for everyone but im clueless. i know how to open a command line and move around using cd and .. etc, but i don’t know where to place the files. what folder etc?

8

You can place the bat file anywhere. It knows the location of the Plex database files.

9

ok…did that. it ran session completed. here’s what it gave me….

NOTE: This script is being replaced with the PowerShell script DBRepair-Windows.ps1,
which aims to better emulate DBRepair.sh (more options, interactive mode, etc).
Consider moving over to the new script.

14:10:21.67 – ====== Session begins. (Sat 11/15/2025) ======
14:10:22.61 – Performing DB cleanup tasks
14:10:23.19 – Exporting Main DB
14:10:46.07 – Exporting Blobs DB
14:10:52.60 – Exporting Complete.
14:10:52.60 – Creating Main DB
14:11:00.17 – Verifying Main DB
14:11:00.73 – Main DB verification check is: ok
14:11:00.74 – Main DB verification successful.
14:11:00.74 – Creating Blobs DB
14:11:03.12 – Verifying Blobs DB
14:11:03.69 – Blobs DB verification check is: ok
14:11:03.70 – Blobs DB verification successful.
14:11:03.70 – Import and verification complete.
14:11:03.70 – Reindexing Main DB
14:11:04.16 – Reindexing Blobs DB
14:11:04.90 – Reindexing complete.
14:11:04.90 – Moving current DBs to DBTMP and making new databases active
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
14:11:04.93 – Database repair/rebuild/reindex completed.
14:11:04.93 – ====== Session completed. ======

but when i try to load plex, i get the same “unable to open” message.

i tried running dbrepair again and the second time if gave me this message…

NOTE: This script is being replaced with the PowerShell script DBRepair-Windows.ps1,
which aims to better emulate DBRepair.sh (more options, interactive mode, etc).
Consider moving over to the new script.

14:19:26.37 – ====== Session begins. (Sat 11/15/2025) ======
14:19:27.22 – Performing DB cleanup tasks
Error: in prepare, no such table: statistics_bandwidth
14:19:27.76 – Exporting Main DB
14:19:28.30 – Exporting Blobs DB
14:19:34.29 – Exporting Complete.
14:19:34.29 – Creating Main DB
14:19:34.86 – Verifying Main DB
14:19:35.35 – Main DB verification check is: ok
14:19:35.35 – Main DB verification successful.
14:19:35.35 – Creating Blobs DB
14:19:39.12 – Verifying Blobs DB
14:19:39.80 – Blobs DB verification check is: ok
14:19:39.80 – Blobs DB verification successful.
14:19:39.80 – Import and verification complete.
14:19:39.80 – Reindexing Main DB
14:19:40.34 – Reindexing Blobs DB
14:19:41.19 – Reindexing complete.
14:19:41.19 – Moving current DBs to DBTMP and making new databases active
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
1 file(s) moved.
14:19:41.25 – Database repair/rebuild/reindex completed.
14:19:41.26 – ====== Session completed. ======

10

Restore a Database Backed Up via ‘Scheduled Tasks’

Navigate to the Plex Data Folder and see if you have any database backups.

If so, try restoring from a backup.

  1. Stop Plex Media Server.
  2. Rename com.plexapp.plugins.library.db to com.plexapp.plugins.library.db.bak
  3. Rename com.plexapp.plugins.library.blobs.db to com.plexapp.plugins.library.blobs.db.bak
  4. Delete any files that end in -wal or -shm.
  5. Pick a pair of .db and .blobs.db files that end in the same date.
  6. Remove the date so they end in .db
  7. Start Plex Media Server and see if it runs. If Plex won’t start, try running DBRepair.

Your Plex server will exist as it did on the date the backup was made. Re-scan the libraries to pick up media added since the backup.

11

I think that may have fixed it. I had to go back to a db from 2023, but it’s re-scanning now and seems to be picking up a lot of stuff that’s been missing.
You have no idea how much I appreciate your help. I never could have gotten this fixed without your help. I wish I could buy you a beer. Have a great day !