There’s several things that could cause that to happen.
Pull & post the server logs.
Using Synology File Station, navigate to the Plex Data Folder. Right click on the Logs directory, choose “compress to Logs.zip,” download & post to the thread.
Hi, I’m having a bit of trouble finding logs. Because I can’t log/stay logged into PMS, I don’t have the Settings > Manage > Troubleshooting area, and using the other method, ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/ , I don’t see logs anywhere (it’s just as attached screenshot)
PMS is running on a Synology NAS.
The logs are on the NAS.
Look in /PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server.
I think this is right
Logs.zip (2.3 MB)
From your logs:
Sep 19, 2025 20:10:18.747 [548290781216] ERROR - SQLITE3:0x7fa8ada918, 14, os_unix.c:41714: (13) open(/volume1/PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases/com.plexapp.plugins.library.db) - Permission denied
You have somehow managed to remove the file permissions from Plex. That is why you see Permission Denied in the message above. Plex is trying to open the database file, but Synology is saying you don’t have permission to do that.
This explains why Plex cannot continue to run.
Are you sure that you allowed DBRepair to complete it tasks properly?
I would uninstall Plex on the NAS using the first option (keep all files) and then reinstall Plex using the Plex Token option.
Reinstalling Plex should re-establish the correct file permissions, fingers crossed.
If that fails, you may need to restore a database from backup.
Unfortunately that didn’t work (uninstall/reinstall). FWIW I am attaching the latest logs, although they may not tell you much. I will go ahead with trying to do a database restore.
Logs.zip (2.3 MB)
Boy, restoring a database might be a bit beyond me. Is there a way I can just start over, and what would be lost? Thanks.
You can start over by uninstalling Plex and removing all files during the uninstall. Look for the option in red.
This will remove all of the files etc. in PlexMediaServer, but that would mean that you will have to recreate all of your libraries and redo any customisations you have made along the way, after you reinstall Plex.
Most people opt NOT to do that, but it’s up to you, whatever is easiest for you.
Good food for thought. I have all my media, luckily. I’ll also pursue the restoration of a database, and see if it’s easier tomorrow when I’ll be fresher.
Before you wipe everything, try FAQ 32. It restores permissions to the Plex Data Folder.
Thanks. I followed what was mentioned and created the task - all quite straightforward I think. As is mentioned on the help page, I am awaiting the results via email before I restart PMS.
This is what I created and ran:
This is definitely where something changed all the permissions of the PlexMediaServer shared folder.
Sep 21, 2025 13:21:28.443 [547521736736] ERROR - SQLITE3:0x7f7ad6f918, 14, cannot open file at line 41714 of [a29f994989]
Sep 21, 2025 13:21:28.443 [547521736736] ERROR - SQLITE3:0x7f7ad6f918, 14, os_unix.c:41714: (13) open(/volume1/PlexMediaServer/AppData/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases/com.plexapp.plugins.library.db) - Permission denied
Please confirm there is NO MEDIA (movies, episodes, or music) *ANYWHERE in the PlexMediaServer shared folder .
It is important to understand
- PMS does not manage the permissions of PlexMediaServer. DSM does
- The package installation has NO PRIVILEGES. It cannot fix anything which is incorrectly set (permissions wise) like I did on DSM 6 (a DSM 7 restriction).
- While easy to repair permissions issues, it must be done in the correct sequence.
In addition to the above shown task, the Shared Folder permissions must also be set:
- Control Panel - Shared Folder
- Highlight
PlexMediaServer - EDIT
Permissionstab- Select
System Internal Users(left side dropdown) - Ensure
PlexMediaServerhas R/W (Read/Write) permission - SAVE
- Open FileStation
- Left Panel - right-click PlexMediaServer → Properties
- Permissions tab
- Confirm
PlexMediaServerhas Read/Write permissions - Check the box
Apply to this folder, sub-folders, and files
- Click SAVE and wait for it to complete
Please confirm there is NO MEDIA (movies, episodes, or music) *ANYWHERE in the PlexMediaServer shared folder .
There don’t appear to be, no. I have checked the top level of the AppData folder and many subfolders at random and there is no media.
This (above) is the sole parameter I needed to check. Everything else was already checked/unchecked. Now saving, quite slowly as I believe I have internal network speed issues (which an entirely different support thread by my ISP is trying to sort out.)
Those permissions are being applied directly to the files on the host.
There is no network (LAN) involvement after clicking SAVE.
The page will refresh when all work is complete.
On PMS installations with a lot of media indexed, it will take a fair amount of time. (takes over 20 minutes for me even with my big RAID array)
Would you believe it, I restarted PMS from inside DSM, and everything appears to have recovered and I can once again play my media. I will keep an eye on it of course, and report anything wonky.
Random picked items all play fine, but menus are a bit slow (slower than they were a few month ago.) Hopefully, things will settle down with time.
I am very grateful for all your patient assistance.
Plex is definitely working better, but by no means seamlessly. I thought that it might be (as others have mentioned) that I may have an issue with my network signal within my house. I enquired of my ISP, who suggested that it might be to do with setting my router up for port forwarding (which I know nothing about, really.) Is this (port forwarding) a likely issue?
Port forwarding in the router is used for remote access. It has no impact on local playback.
Thanks, I had thought that would be the case.
