Hey guys, so i am kind of new to this Plex game and I had a question about my friends/family downloading and syncing content off my server. I have a plex pass and I have enabled allow to sync and download for my family that is accessing remotely, but it is taking forever to have them download episodes or movies. I have added my wife as a friend and logged into her plex account and downloaded some movies and episodes which took like 3 minutes, but my other family member who is in a different state is taking hours. Is this because of HIS internet connection or mine? Also, at first it errored out for him because my computer fell asleep, is that why? Does my Surface always need to be on as long as someone is downloading content from my server? Last question (sorry) does the other family members downloading content take up my CPU and ISP data usage? Thanks ya’ll! Hoping for a quick response.
@Zildjian311 um im not really sure why the downloads take so long, you’ll need someone more official than me for that. all I know is that for ANY access to your media (downloading or streaming) you will need your surface to be on and not asleep. this is because it is all stored and managed by your laptop (or pc) and so it will need to be on. what I did was transfer my library onto a computer in my house that is left on constantly anyway and that has worked A TREAT! just a suggestion and obviously not possible if you don’t have any others running. also, anyone downloading or streaming from your server WILL use up your data usage and will use your CPU.
hope this helps 
What is the server installed on? If the server is active and able to stream video, it ought to “download/sync” any file just fine. Servers typically never sleep, so it’s not the server that might have shut down.
On the other hand, most of the PLAYER apps need to be on and not asleep in order to receive the file. It’s kinda idiotic, but the app does not take control of the device and prevent it going to sleep when syncing. If you can’t sit there and tap the screen every minute or so, then maybe start a sync, then play any video. The video should keep the device from going to sleep, allowing the background sync/download to continue.
As for download speed, it’s kind of a mix of your speed and the receiving end. If you can download a show in 3 minutes, but it takes hours, it’s a case of internet speed. Have you and your friend do a speedtest. For the receiving end, the “Download” speed is important. For your server “sending” end, the “Upload” speed is important. Whichever is the lower number is the speed that the file gets transferred. Meanwhile, local downloads (like you did for yourself) can go upwards of 1000 Mb/s, if your network was made with devices from the last decade. Meanwhile, most internet providers REALLY skimp on giving residential customers uploads above 2 Mb/s. The fastest my current provider offers me is ~10. If you’re lucky, fiber-internet providers can easily get you 1000 down AND up speeds for the same price.
