Same for me. All back to normal.
Keep in mind that hardware transcoding is confirmed by Plex to be completely broken in PMS 1.25 (as of the time of this post at least - Feb 26, 2022).
Noting it since PMS 1.25 is bundled with Shield Experience 9.0.x
Mentioning it for anyone still on (Shield Experience 8.x.x and PMS 1.23) who may have been waiting till the server issues were resolved to consider upgrading, but who may have been unaware that transcoding is broken.
Also transfer rates are slow.
I am using internal storage for my PMS data, so the server disappearing issues probabvly would not have impacted me per Plex confirmation.
(Note - ‘data’ folder is not to be confused with media, I have my actual media stored on an external NTFS HDD).
1.25 HW transcoding broken and transcoding slow threads:
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Not fixed here. Running same hotfix and PMS, and every morning after scheduled tasks my Shield is unresponsive.
Maybe your PMS database has been corrupted.
You could try to clear cache and data of the PMS in the Shield settings.
Make sure you have a backup because this would destroy all your PMS databases and settings (not your media files).
Then setup the PMS again and all should be working fine.
In worst case you could also do a factory reset of your Shield and start again.
Not ideal, but it should work.
Bottom line, these issues are fixed in the latest Shield updates+hotfix and PMS.
Since a lot of people reporting this is now working again.
A few issues still need to be fixed by NVidia, you can check the open issues here:
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Thanks for the advice. Once I give it a reboot it works fine until after the next scheduled tasks. So now I gotta flush away a month’s worth of thumbnails n such that have generated since the crash. Ain’t this some ■■■■.
You can make a backup of all your databases and metadata like thumbnails, posters, etc.
You just need to stop PMS, then make a complete copy of your “Plex Media Server” in the
/Android/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb/
That location could be on your internal storage or if you have chose external storage you could find it there.
On the external storage you need to connect it your computer because there is still an issue with access to those /Android/data/xxx folders on external USB disks connected to your Shield.
If everyhing works stable you can then later restore that backup to your Shield.
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So if I remove the ext ssd that contains my PMS data, and take it to a pc, where am I backing it up to… and how do I then apply that backup?
You can backup the whole “Plex Media Server” folder somewhere on your PC where it is safe to use as a backup (or use a NAS or something like that)
Then connect the external usb back to your Shield and clear the PMS cache and data in the Shield settings.
After you have cleared cache and data, just open the Plex App again. It should ask you to setup the whole PMS server up again from scratch. This will take a few minutes.
In the Plex App settings change the storage location back to your external usb ssd.
To restore the backup follow these steps:
- 1 - Stop PMS server
- 2 - Eject external usb drive from Shield
- 3 - Connect SSD to your PC
- 4 - This is import! → make a new copy of the Preferences,xml file on the external usb ssd!
It is located at the root of the “Plex Media Server” folder - 5 - Copy your Plex backup to the /Android/data/com.plexapp.mediaserver.smb/ folder on your extermal usb ssd.
- 6 - Now copy the Preferences.xml file you have just copied in step 4 back to the root of the “Plex Media Server” folder on your external usb ssd.
- 7 - Connect SSD back to your Shield
- 8 - Start PMS server again and wait a few minutes to let everything sync and startup
- 9 - And finally pin back al your libraries so they will be visible again in Home Screen
Your old “pinned” items are still visible in Plex app with a red exclamation sign so you need to remove those. Then you can pin the libraries from you backup back into the Plex app.
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Wow, thanks. Before tackling all that, how can I turn off scheduled tasks? Enter same start and end time?
Scheduled tasks can be turned of once you login to the webinterface of your
PMS.
You can the webgui at http://<ip-of-your-shield>:32400/web/
for example: http://192.168.1.10:32400/web/
There you can find the Settings and see the Scheduled Tasks section.
Before I disconnected the ext ssd from Shield it warned that it was formatted to be only useable on Shield. And when I connect it to my pc, it doesn’t show. 
Synology Nas’ have restocked everywhere since the shortage. Your best bet is to order one and move away from the Shield and stop using it as a PMS.
I’m on the latest everything on my Shield. Running bare bone no other apps but Plex and PMS, tried different external hd formats and still getting lockups and reboots.
Plex-NVIDIA needs to offer a full rollback to the previous OS. That’s the only solution at this point.
At that point, switch to something running a server of OS, like Ubuntu Server LTS or CentOS, and install fail2ban on them. With all of the Nas vulnerabilities that have come to light in the last couple of years, if Ubuntu Server LTS or CentOS get hit with a major vulnerability, Plex Servers will be near the bottom of priority targets, considering the number of servers that run on Ubuntu Server LTS or CentOS.
On the latest Nvidia hotfix release (9.0.1 +hotfix 1) aka 9.0.2(33.1.0.291) and Plex Server Version 1.25.6.5577. 2019 Nvidia Shield Pro with USB, external exFAT drive.
I am still experiencing issues with the Plex Server locking up, after upgrading from PMS 1.25.3.5448. I restarted the Plex Server earlier today and now PMS on the Nvidia Shield is not generating an SSL cert, so I think I can safely assume I am seeing some sort of rate limiting, due to all of the issues with the Nvidia Shield locking up.
I can connect to the Nvidia Shield locally, without using https, by directly connecting to the server and port using a web browser using http. The moment I try to connect using https, from https://app.plex.tv/desktop/ I am seeing an error of “app.plex.tv is unable to connect to “SHIELD Android TV” securely.”
idk, 1.25.6.5577 solved a bunch of issues with EPG channel listings but it also made my Nvidia Shield nearly unusable, at least until I can get new SSL cert for the shield.
Don’t upgrade to 5577 guys, I had mine working again and then upgraded to 5577 and now am experiencing buffering issues when playing UHD content.
Further, can’t access apps/android on attached storage anymore Since 9.0.2(33.1.0.291) to backup and revert PMS. Any ideas @anon18523487 ?
I picked up a M1 MacMini recently on deep discount from Costco, as a possibility in case this can’t get fixed. I think next step is factory reset.
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Then I think you have formatted the external usb drive in Shield which is not advised.
You should format the usb SSD in a PC with NTFS or exFAT.
That way you can use it in both the Shield and your PC
No issues here with Shield Pro 2019 on 9.0.2 and PMS 1.25.6.5577. All working smoothly.
I have my media stored on my NAS an it plays big UHD 4K HDR Atmos movies just fine.
On external usb drives you cannot access the folders inside /Android/data/ anymore.
This is an Android 11 issue.
If I want to make backups I now have to disconnect my external usb drive and connect in to my computer to backup the data
I have the 16gb Shield Pro, and chose to install the ssd as adopted when migrating PMS Data so I could also fit other apps on it. I have 2 large external drives also connected that hold media. When I install Plex again after factory reset, should I migrate PMS Data to one of those to allow for future access next time Nvidia frogs this up?
In my opinion I think it would be best practice to use one of those external usb drives to store the PMS data.
Just make sure that drive is formatted as NTFS or exFAT.
That way you can always create a backup of your PMS data by simply connecting it to your computer and copy the data over.
To be clear this will only backup your PMS data and not all your media files like movies, music or anything like that!
