Plex Requiring Permission Updates After Each Update To Auto-Detect Media

[larrysharon]

Every time I update Plex on my DS218+ the automatic library scan stops functioning and I have to back into the permissions and make changes for it to work again. Then after making these changes and restarting Plex and the DS then it starts to automatically detect new filed again.

Is there some way that I can fix this so I don’t have to go through this process every time I update Plex? I am using separate media shares for movies and tv shows. The plex share is not being utilized to store media.

Any help would be much appreciated

Server Version#: 1.18.9.2571
Player Version#:

[ChuckPa]

Can you provide the log file ZIP please if it’s just happened or uninstall / reinstall PMS to recreate the situation then capture the logs?

I would like to see what’s happening.

[larrysharon]

Sorry I realized that after every PMS update I have to update the permissions back to read/write.

The issue is that now Plex is randomly choosing when to scan automatically once new content has been added. Movies usually work shows usually do not.

Is there a way to fix the permissions problem permanently? And are there logs I can show you to figure out why media isn’t auto-updating? Thanks so much I’ll advance for your help!

[ChuckPa]

Plex doesn’t modify your data nor permissions — unless – you’re placing media in the otherwise hidden Plex share.

Are you?

Only DSM itself (when DSM updates) might change shared folder permissions.

Please clarify the above ?

[larrysharon]

No I’m not placing any media in the Plex share,

There are separate folders setup for Movies and TV Shows. Volume/Movies and Volume/TV shows.

I just meant that after every PMS update The Plex share on the Synology loses its permissions.

[ChuckPa]

The Plex share goes back to the permissions I set for it.
The Plex share has no reason for users to be accessing it under normal daily operation.

I made the share visible in “Shared Folders” for those cases when PMS won’t start or Plug-ins (which have now been largely removed) could be added. In those cases, you could give yourself permission to access it to perform emergency Log collection.

The normal method is to get the logs via Settings - Server - Troubleshooting - Download Logs. That ZIP file contains the full contents of the Logs directory and all we need.

I am working on an update which will remove the need for the Plex share being visible at all.

In its place, there will be a PlexLogs share containing only the Logs directory.
This share will always be visible.

Do you have a reason to be in the Plex share?
Please let me know if there is. It’s always possible there’s a use-case I overlooked.

[larrysharon]

I have no reason to be in the Plex Share and I don’t have any desire to change permissions.

All I want is Plex to scan my two media folders automatically when something is added to them which is not happening.

I checked that “Scan my library automatically” was enabled and it was. What else can I try?

[ChuckPa]

Where do you store your media?

Are you using the default video share provided by Synology?

If so, this is the root problem. Synology claims it whether their software is installed or not.

If you can create your own shares for your media and move it there, you will be free of this unwinnable battle with them.

I am providing this FAQ ref as I do not know how you’re currently configured.
Might you care to share your share structure?

Installation & Setup of Plex Media Server on Synology

Installation and Setup of Plex Media Server on Synology This How-To is in multiple parts to make it easier to find whichever specific step you’re looking for. If you’re new to Plex then reading this thread in sequence is probably the best approach. This will show you how to install Plex on your Synology and then suggest a couple ways you can organize your media. Please remember, You’re always free to do it any way which makes sense to you. We only ask you take the common pitfalls into con…

[larrysharon]

I store my media on two new shares that I created.

/Volume/Movies
/Volume/TV Shows

I have never used the Plex share or the default Video share for any of my media.

What other information can I provide so that you can see my structure/set-up?

[ChuckPa]

let me back up, restate and confirm you and I are on the same page.
Please correct any points where I am in error.

1. Your media is in the shares you stated above
2. You do not access the Plex share during normal daily use
3. You assert you must change (Grant ?) user plex acess to the Plex share for media to be found auto-detect to work correctly?
4. If not granting user plex access to the Plex share, which username please?

If the above is true,

1. Stop Plex
2. Uninstall the package
3. Re-install the package (your data is safe)
4. Start Plex
5. Let sit for 2 minutes to startup and quiesce
6. Download the logs ZIP file (settings - server - troubleshooting - download logs)
7. Attach the ZIP file

[larrysharon]

Please see attached screenshots. The Movies and TV Shows permissions look exactly the same.

You are correct on 1 and 2.

For number 3 this is my assumption because when I grant plex permissions the auto scan starts working again but I may be wrong her because the permissions are now granted and it’s still not auto scanning.

For number 4 I believe that larrysharon, plex and admin all have access to the Plex share.

[ChuckPa]

Are there two “Plex” users? (plex and Plex)

Please check.

If so, I know what is happening and we can fix it.
I don’t know what causes it but will drive things nuts.

[larrysharon]

No it looks like there’s only one plex user. Please see screenshot below.

[ChuckPa]

This is a bit extreme and your server will be offline while we do this.
When it’s ok to do so:

1. Create a new share - “Holding”
2. Stop Plex
3. Control Panel - Shared Folders - EDIT the Plex share - Permissions tab - Give yourself R/W permission.
4. Open FileStation
5. Right-click Library -> Move To -> “Holding” (we want to save all your metadata)
6. This will take time. The bigger your library, the longer it will take
7. When the move is complete we can continue with -
8. Uninstall the Plex app (Package Center)
9. Control panel - Users - Delete user Plex
10. Control panel - Shared Folders - Delete the (now empty) Plex share.
11. Restart the Synology
12. Install the Plex app again
13. Let it start but do not open Plex
14. As soon as it shows Running - Stop it.

(at this point, we’re ready to move everything back)

15. Control Panel - Shared Folders - EDIT the Plex share - Permissions tab - give yourself R/W permission to the new Plex share
16. File Station - Open the Plex share
17. Delete Library
18. Wait for this step to complete
19. Navigate over to “Holding”
20. Move Library back to the new Plex share
21. When the move is complete
22. Open the Plex share,
23. Right-Click Library -> Properties
24. You want user plex (notice the lower-case name) to be the owner of Library as I show below
25. Also check the box for Apply to this folder, sub-folders and files.

25. When this is complete, we’re ready
26. Start Plex.
27. Everything should now be working again and the difficulties in the Synology database (which manages shares’ permission entries) will have been cleaned out.

[larrysharon]

I followed your instructions and was able to complete each step without any issues so Plex is back up and running. The one thing I noticed is that when I went into properties the user was not plex.

I went ahead and changed it to plex and checked the box.

This is what the Plex share permissions tab looks like after I followed your instructions.

Also, after restarted Plex I noticed there was an update available. I did the update and after it was done I noticed that the Plex share is not longer visible in File Station.

Hopefully this resolves the issues but I’ll let you know as soon as something is downloaded.

[larrysharon]

Hello Again.

Downlaoded two tv shows last night. Neither one was picked up by the auto scan. When I manually pressed to scan media it picked them both up.

Any other idea what it can be?

[larrysharon]

Just to rule out the obvious, I do have the box checked.

[larrysharon]

Also, after latest update this is how permissions look in the Plex share. I no longer have permissions, only the admin.

[ChuckPa]

My apologies for the delayed reply.

Seeing 1027 tells me it did not have a known UserID for the Plex share.

Something was internal and playing with the system.

[ChuckPa]

If I can be forgiven for sounding a bit harsh?

To provide some tertiary info:

1. I don’t want anyone or anything except PMS to use the Plex share.
2. I deliberately REVOKE any granted permissions.
3. When Plex is installed, I don’t even show it in File Station.

The Plex share is for metadata only.
The Plex share can be made visible for those cases when Plex won’t start and we need manual log file retrieval. There is no other reason for it to be accessible.

I write “Please do not place media files here” in six different languages because of it.