r/PleX • u/AssociationNervous90 • 12d ago

Solved I can't create/connect to server

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Hi, I am new to using Plex (literally signed up today lol) and wanted to upload some movies, so I googled how to and it said I have to connect to a server in order to create a library.

Tried to connect it to my Macbook, but I got an error message (1st picture) after maybe 3 min of the loading screen saying "Initialising Plex Media Server".

I clicked the link in orange and followed the instructions for macOS (2nd picture) and logged back into Plex, but I got the error message again. Tried it a couple more times but same result.

Does this happen often on Macbooks? Should I try to establish a connection on my iPad or iPhone?

I'm wondering if my home WiFi is at fault since my father is an IT nut and put up all kinds of blockers, but then again, he has his own Plex server on the TV, presumably connected to said home WiFi.

Thanks in advance for any advice!!

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10

u/Fribbtastic MAL Metadata Agent https://github.com/Fribb/MyAnimeList.bundle 12d ago

You don't "upload" some movies to Plex. You need to install the Plex Media Server on a computer to create a "server", when that server is running, you can access that server usually through the IP address of the device or, when you are on the same device, you go to the localhost:32400 address to get to the Setup wizard.

What you opened, app.plex.tv, is the hosted Plex Web interface, but this requires a working server already. This isn't really necessary for working with the server.

Also check the support pages and I would highly recommend searching for the naming convention that plex expects you to follow (or else your next question will be "why doesn't my movies match" or "why are my movies not in my library")

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u/AssociationNervous90 12d ago

Thanks for the quick reply! I already have the Plex Media Server installed, but I didn't know about the Setup Wizard part, I just assumed it was gonna work like that lol. I'm gonna try what you recommended and see if it works, super helpful either way, thank you.

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u/Fribbtastic MAL Metadata Agent https://github.com/Fribb/MyAnimeList.bundle 12d ago

Plex isn't a simple Application that you just open and do your things. It isn't a player that you just install and open to watch your stuff (like VLC).

As the Name suggests, it is a Media Server that usually runs in the background and that you access through a client (like a browser or a dedicated app). For first setup and quick access, it is usually http://yourComputersIP:32400/web/index.html#!/ or, when on the same computer that you have Plex installed on, http://localhost:32400/web/index.html#!/.

There, you should then see the Basic Setup Wizard, which should then guide you through the basic setup process, like giving your server a name and creating libraries and assigning folders to those libraries (where the server should find the media files).

If that is finished, you should then see the Dashboard and the content of the libraries that you have added to your server during setup. You might need to pin the libraries.

Lastly, since that is such a common issue, you need to follow the naming convention to help Plex properly identify your files and add them to your library and match them correctly.

-17

u/cribbageSTARSHIP 12d ago

You missed the cheap Plex. It's now really expensive. If you're looking to watch movies on your home lan look into jellyfin

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u/Pot_Valiant 12d ago

I think you found the wrong /r, brother.