Gina Johnson
Emby is a media server that can be used to stream content to various devices such as smart TVs and phones. One feature that users may find useful is the ability to automatically wake up and shut down the server based on client activity. This can be beneficial in terms of power usage and maintenance. However, some users have reported issues with the wake-up feature, where it only works intermittently or not at all. This has led to discussions on potential workarounds and the trade-offs between convenience and energy savings. In this topic, we will explore the wake and sleep behaviour of the Emby server and how it can be triggered by client activity or inactivity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Emby wake and sleep with a client trigger | Not possible |
| Workarounds | Wake on LAN, keep a wireless input device handy, use a lirc receiver and a remote, or use a different device that can be left on full time |
| Reasons for putting Emby to sleep | Power usage, wear on the drives, fan noise |
| Other options | Turn off the monitor when not in use, move Emby service to a different device |
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What You'll Learn
Emby server sleep on inactivity
The Emby server can be set to sleep on inactivity, but it depends on the level of automation desired. If you want the server to wake up when you start an Emby client, that might not be possible. However, you can set up Wake on LAN (WoL), but it will require a two-step process. You can also use a lirc receiver with a remote or keep a wireless input device, such as a keyboard, to wake the server manually.
If you want to automate the process, you may need to create a script. For example, a Python script can be used to check if anything is playing on the Emby media server. If there is no activity for a specified period, the script can put the server into hibernation mode. This can be done through the BIOS settings or the CLI if the OS is Linux.
It is important to consider the reasons for putting the server to sleep. If it is to reduce power usage, it is worth measuring whether the savings will be significant enough to offset the hassle of setting up the sleep function. Additionally, constantly powering spinning disks on and off can be harder on the drives than keeping them spinning. If the concern is fan noise, there are alternative methods to cool the server more quietly.
Another user on the same thread also points out that the power usage of a NUC is relatively small, and it might not be worth the effort to set up a sleep function. Emby also performs maintenance at night, so it may be more convenient to leave the server running continuously.
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Wake server feature not working
The Emby wake server feature has been reported to have worked only once for some users. After setting up the app with the correct settings, the feature worked the first time a user put their computer to sleep and turned it on using the Emby app on their phone. However, when they tried to use the feature again, it did not work, and they received an error message about LAN packets being sent but not getting a response.
This issue could be due to several reasons. One possible reason is that the Emby app on the user's phone or device may not be updated to the latest version. In the past, there have been discussions about adding the "Wake on LAN" feature to the Emby Server, which would allow the server to wake up NAS Servers when a client requests a file. This feature has been added to the Android and Windows UWP apps and will be included in the next release. Therefore, ensuring that the Emby app is up-to-date could potentially fix the issue.
Another possible reason for the wake server feature not working could be related to network configuration or firewall settings. The error message about LAN packets not receiving a response could indicate that there is an issue with network connectivity or that the necessary ports for the wake-up feature are being blocked by a firewall. Checking the network settings and ensuring that the correct ports are open and allowed through the firewall could help resolve the issue.
Additionally, it's important to note that the wake server feature may not work as expected if the device is set to sleep after a certain period of inactivity. In such cases, the device may need to be manually woken up using a remote, keyboard, or by sending a "magic packet" through a router.
Furthermore, it's worth considering the trade-offs between power usage and convenience. While putting the device to sleep can save energy, especially during an energy crisis, constantly powering it on and off can be harder on spinning disks than keeping them spinning. It may be more convenient and cause less wear and tear on the device to leave it always on if that is an option for the user.
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Computer goes to sleep while Emby is in use
If your computer goes to sleep while using Emby, it may be due to inactivity. Emby is a server, and servers should not go to sleep. If you are experiencing issues with your computer going to sleep while using Emby, there are a few things you can try.
First, check your power settings and make sure that your computer is set to stay active while streaming or playing media. You can usually find these settings in the Control Panel or System Settings. Look for "Sleep" or "Power Saving" settings and adjust them according to your preferences. For example, you can set your computer to stay active until a video finishes streaming.
Additionally, if you are using a mobile device or smart TV app to access Emby, you may need to adjust the settings on those devices as well. For instance, on Android devices, you can add Emby to the list of apps that never sleep in the battery settings. This will prevent the app from going to sleep and stopping your music or video playback.
If you are using a Samsung Smart TV app or an Android device to access Emby, you may encounter issues with the Wake on LAN (WoL) feature. WoL allows you to wake up your computer remotely, but it requires sending a "magic packet" to your computer. If you are having trouble with WoL, you may need to configure your router or network settings to allow the necessary LAN packets to be sent and received.
It's worth noting that constantly powering your computer on and off can put more strain on the hardware than simply leaving it on. So, depending on your usage patterns and power consumption concerns, it might be more beneficial to leave your computer always on rather than putting it to sleep when not in use.
Finally, if none of the above solutions work, you may need to consider using a different media server software or device that better suits your needs and has more reliable wake and sleep functionality.
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Emby automatic sleep/wake-up
Emby is a media server that can be installed on Windows, Linux, or other platforms. It is designed to run 24/7 and does not have a built-in feature for automatic sleep/wake-up. However, some users have reported success with certain workarounds, such as using Wake-on-LAN (WoL) and keeping a wireless input device handy to wake the server.
To enable automatic sleep/wake-up on Emby, you can try the following methods:
- Wake-on-LAN (WoL): This method requires you to send a "magic packet" to wake up the server when it is inactive. You can send the WoL packet through your router, but this may not be ideal if the client device (such as an iPhone or browser) cannot send the packet.
- LIRC Receiver and Remote: You can set up a LIRC (Linux Infrared Remote Control) receiver and a remote control to wake up the server. This method may require some scripting or technical expertise.
- Wireless Input Device: Keeping a wireless keyboard or mouse connected to the server can help wake it up when it is inactive. This way, you can avoid dealing with WoL packets.
- Python Script: You can create a Python script to check if anything is playing on the Emby media server. If there is no activity for a specified period, the script can put the server into hibernation mode.
- Startup and Shutdown Script: If you are using a Linux server, you can create a startup and shutdown script to turn the server off at night and back on in the morning. This can be combined with a script that detects client activity and puts the server to sleep when it is not being used.
It is important to consider the trade-offs of putting the Emby server to sleep. While it may save power, the hassle of setting up scripts and workarounds might outweigh the benefits. Additionally, constantly powering off and on can be harder on spinning disks than keeping them spinning. If your concern is fan noise, there are alternative ways to cool the server more quietly.
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Power usage and spin down options
Emby is a media management platform that allows users to organize, stream, and enjoy their media content from anywhere. It is designed to be a centralized hub for all media needs, providing a seamless and intuitive experience. While Emby offers a range of features, there are some concerns about power usage and spin-down options.
Some users have reported that Emby's refreshing of metadata causes unnecessary drive spin-ups, which can impact power usage and drive lifetime. This can be mitigated by disabling the 'Reports' plugin or the ''save nfo' feature. Additionally, enabling throttling can help reduce power usage during transcoding, as it will only fill the buffer and transcode when needed. Disabling turbo boost is another option to manage power usage.
For those looking to automate the power management of their Emby server, there are a few options to consider. One suggestion is to use Wake on LAN (WoL), which allows the server to be woken up remotely. However, this requires sending a "magic packet" and may not be compatible with all clients. Another option is to use a script that monitors Emby activity and puts the server into hibernation mode after a period of inactivity. This could be set up to check if anything is playing on the Emby media server and, if not, initiate hibernation mode after a certain amount of time.
It is important to consider the potential trade-offs of automating power management. While it may save energy and reduce costs, the hassle of setting up and maintaining these systems may outweigh the benefits. Additionally, constantly powering devices off and on can be more taxing on spinning disks than simply keeping them spinning. As such, it may be more beneficial to explore options for quieter cooling methods to reduce fan noise, or to leave the device running continuously. Ultimately, the decision comes down to individual preferences and the specific use case.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use the Wake on LAN (WoL) feature to wake up your Emby server. However, this requires sending a magic packet to the server, which can be done via your router.
This issue might be due to the inactivity settings on your device. If your device detects inactivity for a certain period, it may automatically go into sleep mode. Check your device's settings and adjust the sleep mode or screen saver settings to prevent this.
Yes, you can set up automatic wake-up and shutdown on your Emby server. You can use features like Wake on LAN (WoL) to boot up your server when needed and shut it down when inactive.
If the Wake on LAN feature is not working reliably, you can try alternative methods such as using a lirc receiver with a remote or keeping a wireless input device like a keyboard handy to wake the server manually. Additionally, you can explore using a script to monitor activity and trigger hibernation mode when inactive.
