Plex Media Server will not run on M4 Mac

[BoothBijou]

Server Version#: 1.41.8
Player Version#: N/A

My previous Intel Mac mini bit the dust and I replaced it with a new M4 Apple Silicon Mac mini. Mac OS Sequoia 15.3.1.

When I try to run Plex Media Server app (version 1.41.8), on the first run I get the popups that tell me it is an app downloaded from the internet, etc. It asks if I want to move the app to the Applications folder (which works fine). But then the app doesn’t end up running. It’s not active.

When I then double-click on the Plex Media Server app again, NOTHING happens. The app doesn’t load and there isn’t any activity at all. No on screen effects, no zoom of the app loading, nothing. It’s as if I am clicking on dead space.

When I get info on the app, one of the options available is to turn on Rosetta. But I read that Plex no longer needs Rosetta (so I haven’t tried that because I don’t have Rosetta installed).

Since I used a Time Machine backup from my old Mac mini (an Intel Mac) to setup this new Mac Mini (M4), I am suspicious that, somehow, the Universal app feature of the Plex installer is actually installing the Intel compatible version of the Plex app. Which would explain why it doesn’t do anything.

Is there a way to FORCE the app to install the Apple Silicon version of the Plex app? Or a separate installer for the Apple Silicon version only?

I’ve tried to get it installed and working 5 times. I’ve repeatedly rebooted the Mac mini in between installs. I am dead in the water, I’d really love to get my Plex server back! Help, please!

Mark

[BoothBijou]

I got it working. I had to go into Library/Application Support and move the Plex Media Server FOLDER out of Application Support. Then I rebooted my Mac mini and downloaded and installed Plex Media Server again. It worked the first time!

Unfortunately, that also means that I have to rebuild all of my libraries. I don’t have a huge number of videos so it’s not a big deal. The organization on my Plex data drive is very good so it’s easy, it just takes Plex time to sort it all out (build previews and thumbnails, etc.).

Side note: When I realized I had to rebuild my libraries, I tried moving the old Plex Media Server folder back to the Application Support folder and rebooting my mini. When it was back up, again, the Plex app would not load. At all. Some file or files in that old Plex Media Server folder is preventing Plex from running.

Mark