RPI4 - Unexpected buffering and freezing

[msandoval]

Server Version#: 1.16.3.1402
Player Version#: 3.104.2

Hello all,

Currently with PMS installed on a Raspberry Pi 4 that was bought for the sole purpose of running PMS.

I must admit that I am a bit puzzled with my current issue. For some reason, the bandwidth goes up and down when playing local (haven’t tested remote)

I have switched verbose mode on and observed the speed => drop to 0.0
At first I thought that it was due to the processor of the RPI not being fast enough making the transcoding drop to 0.0 but then realized the processor speed is at around 20% usage.

It just starts buffering and nothing else happens. bandwidth drops to 0 and processor is in idle mode…

anyone has any ideas?

Thank you for your help!

[drmagoo]

Please always attach the server logs so we can take a look at your problem.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/

[msandoval]

Plex Media Server.log (421.6 KB)
sorry, forgot to attach the log file

Thank you!

And here’s the dashboard screenshot related to when I reproduced the issue as in the log file:

[msandoval]

additional info: this happens when transcoding or Direct Play. Plex stops transcoding despite the CPU running at 20%

[kwodz]

This won’t really fix your issue, but my server is currently running on a Pi 3 and I know that it craps out if trying to transcode anything higher than 480. While the Pi 4 is faster, I think it will have the same issue. Everything in my house is set to direct play and I have had minimal issue.

That being said, it is odd that it isn’t ‘trying’ to transcode; if I start a 1080p movie playing with transcoding on, the Plex Transcoder sits at 400% CPU and tries to convert the movie, so it is odd that it is just failing. Maybe the have made their transcoder smarter?

Good luck!

[drmagoo]

There is no error in your logs indicating the root issue, however: don’t use the Web player! Use just any other official client that’s available on your system or at least Kodi.

And rule #1: always avoid transcoding on any Raspberry Pi server. Always aim for Direct Play or Direct Stream.

Btw: your RPi 4 might just be throttling because of heat issues. Do you know that you HAVE to add a fan to your RPi 4 if you want to do any CPU intensive work?

https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250387-streaming-media-direct-play-and-direct-stream/

[msandoval]

Thank you both for your answers.

I am currently experiencing the same issue again but with Direct Play.

file bitrate is 2MB and the amount of outgoing bandwidth allocated for playback is 5MB (as per the dashboard)

current RPI4 temp: 74, which is under the 80 for throttling.

[msandoval]

Now using Plex Media Player and still having the same issue

[drmagoo]

The Pi 4 is rather new. Please try to update to the newest kernel with sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade and reboot afterwards. Also tell us about your network (if there is anything special to mention).

[drmagoo]

Please read the following thread. This might be your problem.

https://www.raspberrypi.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=245931

[msandoval]

I had tried the updates without success.

In terms of home network, RPI4 connected directly to wireless router via ethernet. the rest is wifi connected.

[msandoval]

Hello uglymagoo,

Thanks for sharing the link above. I read through it but I do not think that it applies:
“It should be noted that if you plug a USB3.0 UAS device into a USB2.0 port on the Pi 4, the UAS driver will still be used - but at a slower top speed.”

I connected my usb3.0 hdd to the usb3.0 port and tested transferring large amounts of data and did not see any slow speed.

Thanks!