Random problems with endless buffering from various clients

Plex Media Server
1

Server Version#: 1.26.1.5762
Player Version#: PS5-363

Hi!

I’m experiencing since quite a long time some “endless buffering issues”. I’m using a Synology NAS DS918+ with 12GB of RAM as Plex Media Server. I’m streaming only in my local network to various clients (Xbox One, PS5). Both clients using the newest Plex app.
I only stream 1080p or 720p content.

Problem description:
In random appearance the Plex App refuses to playback some videos. Videos which has been working before. There is only one help: you have to restart the Plex App (sometimes 1x, sometimes more often) and magically it works again. Same file. Nothing changed.

It’s frustrating because you cannot force it to happen nor can I tell if there is any constant behaviour. The only hint I’ve spotted now is in the Plex Server dashboard. Exactly when this happens the client has a wrong IP address. So I assume that it has something to do with it.

I’ve attached a screenshot so you can see the “problem”. I’ve started the same video on Plex and requested it via Xbox One and PS5. Xbox One was perfect and PS5 was struggeling. After a few restarts of the Plex App it worked fine on PS5 too.

WhatsApp Image 2022-04-26 at 21.11.08
WhatsApp Image 2022-04-26 at 21.11.081031×485 65 KB

Thx for any help in advance
Chris

2

I just found out/realized, that this “weird” ip address is my ip address I receive from my internet service provider. Hope this information helps you?

If you want me to provide log files, just ask please. I’m really gladful to supply as much information as possible.

3

First off, you have 12 GB of RAM in the system. Its limit is 8GB (2x 4GB).
This is not safe. Linux (DSM) thinks it has 12 GB (because it added up the specs of each DIMM) but the circuit traces on the main board only support 8GB (2x 4GB).

This will cause, at some point, random failures and potentially damage the storage volume containing your data.

Strongly urge removing the 8GB module you added and replacing with a proper 4GB module of the same spec SO-DIMM DDR3L memory. (Synology has modules)

Seeing your LAN IP and your WAN IP reported sounds a lot like a local network configuration problem.

Which of those two devices are hardwired and which is WiFi ?

4

Hi ChuckPa,

thanks for your response.
The XBOX and the PS5 (from the sshot) are both connected via wifi. The NAS is connected directly to the router with a bonded lan connection (2 Gbps).

I’ve played around with a wired and wifi’d connection. No difference. Also added a fixed IP address, nothing changed.

Problem is that sometimes I can watch for 3 days every stuff I want and the issue won’t occur. Then suddenly I have to restart the plex app (on the ps5/xbox like 5 times) before it works again.

5

I’d like to request you conduct an controlled test to capture the most data possible.

  1. Verify the Plex server’s logging is DEBUG enabled, VERBOSE disabled. SAVE if you make changes
  2. Now stop (force terminate) both player’s apps.
  3. Restart Plex
  4. Give it 2 minutes to start up and stabilize
  5. Start one of the players and give it 1 minute
  6. Attempt to connect to the Syno
  7. Attempt a simple playback (anything easy). If successful, stop after 20 seconds.
  8. Repeat for the other player.
  9. With both players now stopped,
  10. Download the logs ZIP file from the server
  11. Attach it here please.