How To Fix Plex Media Server Not Opening (2024)

Are you facing the problem of Plex Media Server Not Opening? If yes then don’t worry you are at the right place.

Plex is a media server and client application that allows users to organize, stream, and access their media content across various devices. 

It enables users to create their own personal media library, including movies, TV shows, music, photos, and more, and then stream that content to different devices such as smart TVs, computers, smartphones etc.

However, many people are facing the problem of Plex Media Server Not Opening.

In this guide i’m going to show you how you can fix this issue with some easy and effective methods.

How To Fix Plex Media Server Not Opening 

Here are some steps you can try to fix the issue:

Restart Plex Media Server: 

Sometimes, the Plex Media Server application may encounter temporary issues that prevent it from starting properly. 

Try restarting the Plex Media Server application to see if that resolves the problem.

Here how to do so:

Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, locate the Plex Media Server process in the list of running applications or processes, select it, and then click “End Task” to stop it.

After stopping Plex Media Server, you can relaunch the application to see if it starts up properly.

Check for Updates: 

Make sure that you are running the latest version of Plex Media Server. 

Updates may include bug fixes and improvements that could address issues preventing the server from opening. 

You can check for updates within the Plex Media Server settings or by visiting the Plex website.

Same Network Access:

To reduce network issues, make sure you are accessing Plex from the same network where the Plex server is located. 

This minimizes the number of network devices between your computer and the server.

If your computer is on the same network and you still can’t connect, try logging into the server directly and then accessing the Plex Web app from there.

Check for System Updates: 

Make sure that your operating system is up to date with the latest updates and patches. 

Outdated system software may cause compatibility issues with Plex Media Server.

On Windows 11, you can check for updates by going to Settings > Windows Update

Click on “Check for updates” to see if there are any available updates for your system.

For earlier versions of Windows, you can check for updates through the Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update.

By keeping your operating system up to date, you can help ensure the optimal performance and compatibility of Plex Media Server and minimize the risk of encountering issues related to outdated system software.

Check Firewall and Antivirus Settings: 

Your firewall or antivirus software may be blocking Plex Media Server from opening or accessing the necessary network ports. 

Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software and attempt to open Plex Media Server again. 

If it opens successfully, you may need to configure your firewall or antivirus settings to allow Plex Media Server access.

Check Remote Access Settings:

If you are trying to open your Plex server from outside your network, ensure that Remote Access is enabled on the server.

Verify that the proper firewall rules allow access to the Plex server from outside the network.

You can find the IP address and public port in the Remote Access section of the Plex administrative site.

Disable VPN or Proxy:

If you are connecting to your Plex server through a VPN or your server is behind a reverse proxy, try disabling the VPN or proxy.

A VPN might prevent access to your server if it doesn’t allow connections to the internal LAN.

Misconfigured proxies could also hinder access to the Plex server.

Contact Plex Support: 

If you have tried all the above steps and are still unable to resolve the issue, consider contacting Plex support for further assistance. 

They may be able to provide additional troubleshooting steps or guidance specific to your situation.

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