Plex server says files are unavailable when they are available

Plex Media Server
1

Server Version#: 1.19.4.2935
Player Version#:Chrome ver 83.0.4103.116 and Roku 4

Plex server is running on Windows 10 PC, Video files are on a Synology NAS.
Path to the files is \NAS\Video\TV Shows

This is a periodic and temporary thing. I will be playing a show and when going to the next episode it will say the file is unavailable. I can immediately go via Windows explorer and see the file is there and even play the file. If I wait for 2-3 minutes Plex will then allow me to play the file. This does not happen every time but enough to be frustrating. Any help would be appreciated.

2

Most likely caused by Windows’ notoriously unreliable storing of network access credentials.

You NAS requires authentication before you can access its files over the network, right?
Make it so, that the user name and the password on the NAS are identical to what is used on the Windows Plex server. That way authentication is instant and not delayed/failing.

3

Would using a mapped drive vs the \nas path avoid this issue then?

4

No, this usually doesn’t make a difference.