Plex server does not see subfolders of Shared folder

[Michs342]

Server Version#: 1.24.4.5081-7000

To give the whole story my Plex have been working fine for the many years it have been running on my Synology DS416Play. Since I had issues with space on my storage drive and I had back then set it up in RAID 5 (because I didn’t know what SHR was but knew RAID), I decided to copy all my stuff to an external disk, replace 2 of my 4 drives with bigger drives and create a new storage using SHR.

I took backup of some of the hidden folders as well as the PlexMediaServer folder to keep my Plex information. After looking through the many posts with DSM 7 and Synology I got the Plex up and running. My problem now is even when giving the Plex user Full control of my newly created shared folder called video or music, I cannot select any of the subfolders when adding folders to libraries. As you can see in the uploaded picture the video folder appears empty.

Looking at the Permission inspector the Plex user does have rights to all the subfolders but still cannot see them when I try to add folders. What am I missing since this doesn’t seem to work right now.

Plex Media Server Logs_2021-10-18_18-23-52.zip (2.3 MB)

[FordGuy61]

@Michs342

giving the Plex user Full control

You are running DSM 7.

Plex now runs under the system internal user PlexMediaServer, not Plex.

You need to reset your file permissions to give PlexMediaServer access to your media folders.

See DSM 7 files not available for instructions.

You may also wish to review DSM 7 - Plex Media Server - Release Info & Migration instructions . It provides an overview of the changes when running Plex on a DSM 7 system vs a DSM 6 system.

EDIT: Also check that the PlexMediaServer user has full control of the PlexMediaServer shared folder. This is taken care of when installing Plex. Don’t touch permissions for the PlexMediaServer folder.

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https://forums.plex.tv/t/dsm-7-files-not-available/735455/17

DSM 7 - Plex Media Server - Release Info & Migration instructions

Plex Media Server for Synology DSM 7 - Release This document is to share changes made with DSM 7 and resolve any unforeseen issues before you attempt migrating to DSM 7 for Plex use YOU ARE URGED TO READ THIS THREAD COMPLETELY BEFORE PROCEEDING OR ASKING QUESTIONS DO NOT INSTALL Synology BETA software UNLESS INSTRUCTED. This thread is a LIVING document. Expect it to change. Synology’s DiskStation Manager (DSM) has undergone significant changes in version 7.0. Many of those changes affected …

[Michs342]

Thanks, I knew it was probably something simple. I actually did this early on, but had to uninstall plex due to some of older installation staying around. I don’t know if I lost the user/setting at that point and then totally forgot it’s existence after the re-install and setting everything up again.

[QuestForTori]

I’m having the same issue, except the PlexMediaServer user doesn’t exist on my system after installing the server software - only the old Plex user.

[FordGuy61]

@QuestForTori

Plex Media Server version?
Synology model?
DSM 6 or DSM 7?

If DSM 7, read these two documents. DSM 7 is very different from DSM 6. This forced many changes in how Plex is installed.
DSM 7 - Plex Media Server - Release Info & Migration instructions
DSM 7 - Packaging 2.0 (PMS 1.24.2.4973) - Release information

[ChuckPa]

To add to @FordGuy61

This is how you address sub-folder and file permissions for DSM 7

DSM 7 - Plex Media Server - Release Info & Migration instructions

DSM 7 - Set permissions for (Media) Shared Folders. Often, when upgrading, changing permissions from Plex to PlexMediaServer is overlooked. Sometimes, folders have mismatched permissions within them. Here is how you remedy the problem. That message you see at the end of installation is a reminder to you to go check and provides the instructions how to remedy it. It may not address all problems but does address the vast majority. File Station → Right-click the shared folder → Proper…

[QuestForTori]

The issue is that there isn’t a plex or plexmediaserver user on my NAS at all, so there’s nothing to set permissions for.

PlexMediaServer-1.25.0.5246-cb2507e4d-x86_64_DSM7
DS720+
DSM 7

[FordGuy61]

PlexMediaServer is a System Internal User. It is not visible in Control Panel → User & Group like standard user accounts.

If you have Plex Media Server installed on your system, you should see a PlexMediaServer user.

Please follow these steps and report back whether or not you see the PlexMediaServer user.

1. In DSM, go to Control Panel → Shared Folder.
2. Select the shared folder where your media is located.
3. Choose Edit → Permissions.
4. Change Local Users to System Internal User.
5. Do you see a user named PlexMediaServer?

No: Something went wrong with the installation of Plex on your DS720+. Stop & report back.

Yes: We can proceed with setting folder & file permissions. As long as your on that panel, select R/W or RO permissions for user PlexMediaServer & Save.

If you’re using optimized versions, LiveTV & DVR, etc, choose R/W, as Plex needs permissions to write to the folder.

Screenshot from my DS414/DSM 7:

[ChuckPa]

@QuestForTori

“PlexMediaServer” is not a “Local User” .

You can only find it by changing the dropdown from “Local User” to “System Internal User”

Please look at the instructions linked above - Step 3

1. Click Create
2. The editor window opens
3. Scroll down and select PlexMediaServer
4. Mouse over to “Read” - Check the box
5. Mose over to “Write” - Check that box too if you wish to grant write permission.
6. Click “Done”
7. Now make all permissions set for all sub folders and files (check the box)
8. Click SAVE