# Terrible performance **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-synology\ **Created:** [August 15, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327 "2025-08-15T17:08:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 7:18pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/21 "2025-08-30T19:18:50Z")
I wonder if some knowledge person could look at these logs, and see if they see anything that stands out. I am having a somewhat better, but by no means ideal situation with errors such as ‘There was an error navigating to the specified Item’ and lots of occurrences of the orange spinning wheel when I try to access a library. Is it possible to delete all my data (I have the media files obviously) and ‘start again’ with a clean slate, as it were? And would it be better to run PMS from a discreet laptop, rather than from my Synology NAS? Many thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ChuckPa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/chuckpa/32/79710_2.png) [@ChuckPa](https://forums.plex.tv/u/ChuckPa)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 9:11pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/22 "2025-08-30T21:11:54Z")
In the logs, I see where PMS is remultiplexing (repackaging) video to send to a Panasonic. These are without issue I will caution, the ARM CPU in the DS218play is easily overloaded (Dual Core). I have the 4 core version in the DS418j (for development). It less easily overloaded. These CPUs can handle, at most, 1x 20 Mbps H.264 video transcode w/ audio at a time. Do be careful. #### As for other things – The screenshot shows 720p **DirectPlay**. DirectPlay == PMS is sending the file to the player **AS-IS** If there is poor performance (dropping / pausing / etc) then it is the local network (WiFI ?). You might try optimizing the Database to reduce some lag in PMS. > **[GitHub - ChuckPa/DBRepair: Database repair utility for Plex Media Server...](https://github.com/ChuckPa/DBRepair)** > > Database repair utility for Plex Media Server databases (Instructions and examples in the README) ---
**Author:** ![sscha48](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/87869e/32.png) [@sscha48](https://forums.plex.tv/u/sscha48)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2025, 11:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/23 "2025-08-30T23:12:43Z")
I to have been experiencing a very poor unusable PMS. I’m so frustrated with this. Plex was functioning wonderfully via web server or apps on ATV, Mac portables and the like. Now it has turned to crap. As a background, I’m running PMS on a relatively new MacMini whose only purpose is to serve my media collection to my local 4k tv. My network is typically a minimum of 150 Mbps and faster, so I don’t think it’s a network issue. My media is on an external drive with 6 TBs on SSD drives. I have spent days trying to figure out what is wrong with Plex. I strongly believe that it is the Plex server software. All my movie files are MP4 files @H.264 with ACC audio. At the worst I was able to play directly through the server web app to my TV, but with no remote control access. Now I suspect the server app is to blame, because I can play any thing in my collection via ATV app or quicktime without delay or hesitation. Now when I use Plex anything I get the dreaded and despised not enough CPU for conversion at this time. All software has be reloaded to the current versions on all devises. It is my understanding that MP4 files need no conversion and are ready for play unless a subtitles are being burned in. Even this has not been a problem in the past without delay. If there is anybody that can direct me to a solution it would be very much appreciated. I’ve been a devoted Plex pass member for years. Is there no way to produce an app that is not so complicated? If I were a software engineer I’d make my own. I just need an app that works consistently like this used to. HELP ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/24 "2025-08-31T14:28:47Z")
\>\>_My network is typically a minimum of 150 Mbps and faster, so I don’t think it’s a network issue._ …and I am using a 400Mbps connection, so like you the network shouldn’t be an issue at all. What’s frustrating is that sometimes (about once in 10 attempts) something will play properly. Good luck with finding a solution, sscha48 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2025, 2:29pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/25 "2025-08-31T14:29:46Z")
Once again, thanks for your input, which will give me something to look into. ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 10:41am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/26 "2025-09-01T10:41:06Z")
Regarding using your database repair utility; I just have a couple of questions at this point. I downloaded 1.11.09.tar.gz and have expanded it. Do I locate the whole expanded folder onto my Mac (i.e. into ~/Downloads), from where I administer my Synology NAS, or onto the NAS itself (i.e. /volume1/PlexMediaServer) ? I am a little nervous about using Terminal, as I realise I could do some serious damage if not careful! I do however have some experience using it, I am somewhat familiar with it. Do you have any tips? I intend to follow your instructions on [https://github.com/ChuckPa/DBRepair](https://github.com/ChuckPa/DBRepair) to the letter. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2025, 7:59pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/27 "2025-09-01T19:59:40Z")
> [@bward149](#): > > Do I locate the whole expanded folder onto my Mac (i.e. into ~/Downloads), from where I administer my Synology NAS, or onto the NAS itself (i.e. /volume1/PlexMediaServer) ? The file `DBRepair.sh` must be located on the Synology NAS (where PMS is located). It is OK to place it in `/volume1/PlexMediaServer`. You can locate it elsewhere if desired (ex: your home directory). DBRepair knows where the Plex database files are located, so its exact location does not matter. After you have it on the NAS, you must make it executable: `sudo chmod a+x DBRepair.sh` To run it: `sudo ./DBRepair.sh` Use the STOP, AUTO, START, EXIT options, in that order. AUTO performs several of the individual operations. If it finds structural problems with the database it will attempt to repair it. If AUTO finds problems and cannot repair them, then copy the output and post it to this thread. Here is an example of the AUTO option from my DS918+ (I’ve already stopped PMS): > **DBRepair AUTO Example Output** > > ```auto > Select > > 1 - 'stop' - Stop PMS. > 2 - 'automatic' - Check, Repair/Optimize, and Reindex Database in one step. > 3 - 'check' - Perform integrity check of database. > 4 - 'vacuum' - Remove empty space from database without optimizing. > 5 - 'repair' - Repair/Optimize databases. > 6 - 'reindex' - Rebuild database indexes. > 7 - 'start' - Start PMS > > 8 - 'import' - Import watch history from another database independent of Plex. (risky). > 9 - 'replace' - Replace current databases with newest usable backup copy (interactive). > 10 - 'show' - Show logfile. > 11 - 'status' - Report status of PMS (run-state and databases). > 12 - 'undo' - Undo last successful command. > > 21 - 'prune' - Remove old image files (jpeg,jpg,png) from PhotoTranscoder cache & all temp files left by PMS. > 42 - 'ignore' - Ignore duplicate/constraint errors. > > 88 - 'update' - Check for updates. > 98 - 'quit' - Quit immediately. Keep all temporary files. > 99 - 'exit' - Exit with cleanup options. > > Enter command # -or- command name (4 char min) : auto > > Automatic Check,Repair,Index started. > > Checking the PMS databases > Check complete. PMS main database is OK. > Check complete. PMS blobs database is OK. > > Exporting current databases using timestamp: 2025-09-01_14.59.53 > Exporting Main DB > Exporting Blobs DB > Successfully exported the main and blobs databases. > Start importing into new databases. > Importing Main DB. > Importing Blobs DB. > Successfully imported databases. > Verifying databases integrity after importing. > Verification complete. PMS main database is OK. > Verification complete. PMS blobs database is OK. > Saving current databases with '-BACKUP-2025-09-01_14.59.53' > Making repaired databases active > Repair complete. Please check your library settings and contents for completeness. > Recommend: Scan Files and Refresh all metadata for each library section. > > Backing up of databases > Backup current databases with '-BACKUP-2025-09-01_15.06.30' timestamp. > Reindexing main database > Reindexing main database successful. > Reindexing blobs database > Reindexing blobs database successful. > Reindex complete. > Automatic Check, Repair/optimize, & Index successful. > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2025, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/28 "2025-09-03T10:40:45Z")
> [@FordGuy61](#): > > sudo chmod a+x DBRepair.sh Well, I put the file (DBRepair.sh) onto the NAS, at Library\>Application Support\>Plex Media Server and ran the Terminal commend, but this is the output so I guess its’s in the wrong place? p.s. do you think I should be using zsh, as indicated? “ Last login: Wed Sep 3 11:32:36 on ttys000 The default interactive shell is now zsh. To update your account to use zsh, please run `chsh -s /bin/zsh`. For more details, please visit [Use zsh as the default shell on your Mac - Apple Support](https://support.apple.com/kb/HT208050) . Mac-mini:~ baward$ sudo chmod a+x DBRepair.sh Password: XXXXXX chmod: DBRepair.sh: No such file or directory Mac-mini:~ baward$ ” ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2025, 5:39pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/29 "2025-09-03T17:39:51Z")
> [@bward149](#): > > Well, I put the file (DBRepair.sh) onto the NAS, at Library\>Application Support\>Plex Media Server and ran the Terminal commend, but this is the output so I guess its’s in the wrong place? That location does not exist for Plex Media Server running on a Synology NAS. On Synology NAS running DSM 7, the [Plex Data Folder](https://support.plex.tv/articles/202915258-where-is-the-plex-media-server-data-directory-located/) is the `/PlexMediaServer` shared folder. Do this: Enable the SSH service for the NAS in Synology Control Panel → Terminal & SNMP Open a terminal window on the Mac. Enter ssh `username@IP`. username = your Synology NAS username; IP = Synology’s IP address (192.168.178.35 per your log files). After you login, enter the following: ```auto cd /var/packages/PlexMediaServer/shares/PlexMediaServer sudo wget -O DBRepair.sh https://github.com/ChuckPa/DBRepair/releases/latest/download/DBRepair.sh sudo chmod a+x DBRepair.sh sudo ./DBRepair.sh ``` Use the STOP, AUTO, START, EXIT options, in that order. AUTO performs several of the individual operations. If it finds structural problems with the database it will attempt to repair it. If AUTO finds problems and cannot repair them, then copy the output and post it to this thread. See my prior post for an example run on my Synology DS918+. ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/30 "2025-09-04T10:05:15Z")
I have re-located DBRepair.sh to File Station\>PlexMediaServer and ran the command ssh [username@192.168.178.35](mailto:username@192.168.178.35) but it didn’t like it, and reported “ssh: connect to host 192.168.178.35 port 22: Connection refused” Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 11:57am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/31 "2025-09-04T11:57:01Z")
Enable SSH on the NAS. You may also need to disable the NAS’ firewall. ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 2:58pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/32 "2025-09-04T14:58:44Z")
> [@FordGuy61](#): > > ssh `username@IP`. username = your Synology NAS username; IP = Synology’s IP address (192.168.178.35 I enabled SSH and the NAS firewall was not enabled anyway. But I had a new error: “ The authenticity of host ‘192.168.178.35 (192.168.178.35)’ can’t be established. ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:6OecZqq2Q3Qr5QgwcUb2gifqFtR1h4PZa4QyH4F3eeg. This key is not known by any other names. Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? “ I feel I am dabbling around in somewhat murky (for me) waters… ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 3:12pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/33 "2025-09-04T15:12:57Z")
> [@bward149](#): > > Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? “ Yes. That’s a normal message the first time you ssh to a system. ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/34 "2025-09-04T16:15:40Z")
Now: “Warning: Permanently added ‘192.168.178.35’ (ED25519) to the list of known hosts. Connection closed by 192.168.178.35 port 22” ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/35 "2025-09-04T16:49:29Z")
The warning is normal. That is MacOS acknowledging you answered yes to the earlier question. Not sure why the Synology closed the connection. On my Syno, even if I use a bogus username and password it still connects: ```auto c:\>ssh goober@192.168.1.50 goober@192.168.1.50's password: Permission denied, please try again. goober@192.168.1.50's password: c:\> ``` That’s (obviously) from my Windows PC. AFAIK it should work the same from a Mac. Try connecting again and see what happens. You should not see the “Are you sure…” question this time. EDIT: Here’s the SSH and Firewall settings on my Synology: ![ssh](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/9/3/9/939f7f7944d524c57f64a60871e9c11f6961f565.png) ![firewall](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/4X/8/e/a/8eaf325fc459e82d3c258fd44417c784b5543118.png) ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2025, 10:51am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/36 "2025-09-05T10:51:09Z")
Thank you for that. My DSM settings correspond with yours. One step forward: In Terminal, I seem to be connected now (I used ssh [MyNASUserName@192.168.178.35](mailto:MyNASUserName@192.168.178.35)) with no “Are you sure…”, but now Terminal ins’t accepting my NAS password. I have checked and re-checked but it won’t budge - it’s definitely correct. Do you know if there’s a workaround? ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2025, 3:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/37 "2025-09-05T15:49:45Z")
One more thing to check. To SSH into the NAS, the username must be part of the Administrators group. 1. Synology Control Panel → User & Group 2. Edit your username → User Groups 3. Check the box for administrators and Save. ---
**Author:** ![PunkleJones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c37758/32.png) [@PunkleJones](https://forums.plex.tv/u/PunkleJones)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2025, 11:10am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/38 "2025-09-06T11:10:30Z")
just make sure you press the correct keys 😃 You want get _any_ inputs on screen entering password with SSH (or any \*nix) prompts. (might be confused with like its accepting your input) ---
**Author:** ![bward149](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e8c25b/32.png) [@bward149](https://forums.plex.tv/u/bward149)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/39 "2025-09-06T14:53:54Z")
Many thanks, I’ll go over everything again. BTW, Terminal WON’T display my password, will it (or will it?) ---
**Author:** ![FordGuy61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/22d042/32.png) [@FordGuy61](https://forums.plex.tv/u/FordGuy61)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327/40 "2025-09-06T15:28:40Z")
No, it won’t. [Previous page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forums.plex.tv/t/terrible-performance/929327.md?page=3)