Unable to find files in libraries

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

Server Version#: 1.21.0-3744 (Beta)
Player Version#:

Apologies if any terminology is incorrect. I’m running a Plex server on a Synology DS420j NAS. I have had a Plex server on my windows PC for a while without issue, but have moved all the video files individually from there onto the new NAS. I have added a Films library, but it says there’s nothing in it. I guess I have the path entered incorrectly, but I’m at a loss to work it out.

There is a single volume on the NAS (Volume 1) with a “video” area. Under that are subfolders for Films, TV, etc. I have tried adding manually (“/volume1/video/Films”) which found nothing. I tried via the wizard which only allowed me to specify the top level (“/volume1/video”) - that should have found all the video files, but again it found nothing. What am I missing?

2

The installation on the Synology is new, correct? No pre-existing libraries, shares, etc. Basically, not a problem to start over from scratch, correct?

The NAS is running DSM 7, correct?

  1. Read this document. It will help.
    Installation & Setup of Plex Media Server on Synology

  2. Peruse and keep on hand for additional help:
    Synology FAQ - Questions, Answers, and a few How-To’s

  3. Do not place your media in the Synology created media folders such as /volume1/video. Synology uses those locations for their multi-media apps. They sometimes re-write permissions for those folders which causes issues with Plex.

    You can place the files in pretty much any other location. For example, create a shared folder /media with subfolders for movies, tv shows, etc.

    Additional details in the Installation and FAQ documents linked above…

  4. Completely uninstall Plex Media Server.
    1.21.0-3744 was a beta release for DSM 7 and is not fully compatible with current DSM 7 releases. Unfortunately, Synology will not update or remove it.

  5. Download and manually install the current release from plex.tv (link). You want the DSM 7, ARMv8 release (the DS420j has a Realtek 1296 ARMv8 CPU). Be sure to download the Synology (DSM 7), not Synology release, otherwise the installation will fail (no harm, just won’t install).

  6. During installation, there will be a notification regarding folder & file permissions. Make sure the system internal user PlexMediaServer has at least read-only permissions to your media files.

    This is easy to miss during installation. See the Installation support document for additional details (search for Shared Folder). Info also available in the FAQ.


That should get you started. Write back if you run into any problems.

3

Thanks for the comprehensive reply! It’ll take me a few days to work through the various steps, especially at this time of year.

To answer the easy ones: I’m running DSM 7.1-42261 Update 4. Plex Server was a clean installation as part of the initial setup of the NAS.

The rest I’ll have to do over the holiday break and see which clears the issue.

Thanks again

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