Colin Snow
Plex is a smart software that allows users to play movies, TV shows, and other media on their computers. However, there have been several reports of issues with Plex functioning when the computer goes into sleep mode. Some users have reported that Plex stops working when their computers sleep, while others have found solutions to make it work, such as using a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) app on their phones to wake up the computer. This article will explore whether Plex works when the computer sleeps and provide solutions to any issues that may arise.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plex server functionality when the computer is sleeping | Plex server does not work when the computer goes to sleep |
| Workarounds | Use NSSM to turn Plex into a service, use a Wake-on-LAN (WoL) app on your phone to wake up the computer, or schedule the computer to shut down and wake up at specific times |
| Resource usage | Plex Media Server can be resource-intensive, and sleep mode may be recommended to free up resources |
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What You'll Learn
Plex server won't work if the computer goes to sleep
The Plex Media Server is smart software that makes playing movies, TV shows, and other media on your computer simple. However, the Plex server will not work if the computer goes to sleep. This is because the computer or device with the server needs to be powered on and running for Plex to work.
If you are trying to access your content remotely, for example, using your phone when you are not at home, the server will need to be connected to the internet and successfully signed in and connected to Plex. In addition, Plex does not support WoL (Wake on LAN) functions, and there is no way for the Plex brokering servers to tunnel into your network to fire off a WoL packet if the device that provides the tunnel (the Plex server) is sleeping.
Some users have reported that Plex used to run while the computer was in sleep mode but has recently stopped working when the computer is in sleep mode. One user reported that they had to log in again each morning to get Plex to run after their computer woke up from sleep mode. Another user suggested using NSSM to turn Plex into a service, so you don't have to log in every time.
To ensure that your Plex server remains accessible, you can use the Task Scheduler in Windows to set it to shut down and restart at specific times. Alternatively, you can install a Wake on LAN (WoL) app on your phone and wake up your computer whenever you need to access Plex.
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Plex Media Server is resource-heavy
Plex Media Server is resource-intensive, and its performance is influenced by three key factors: processor power, network speed, and storage capacity. The server's performance can be impacted if it is not run on a dedicated computer, as it may compete with other applications for system resources.
The processor, or CPU, is heavily utilised by Plex Media Server, particularly during content transcoding, which is required when preparing content for compatibility with the platform. This process can be time-consuming, taking up to tens of minutes for a single item, and even longer if the processor power and speed are limited.
Additionally, the "Plex Transcoder" process can consume significant CPU resources even when no content is being played. This can occur when the server performs processor-intensive tasks such as detecting TV show intros and credits, or when analysing music content for features like Loudness Leveling and Track Radio.
Network speed is another critical factor affecting the performance of Plex Media Server. When streaming content remotely, the server's internet connection speed, specifically the upload speed, can become a bottleneck. To optimise remote streaming, users should adjust their Plex Media Server preferences, particularly the settings related to upload speed and the maximum number of simultaneous streams.
Furthermore, the storage space available to the server can also impact its performance. While Plex does not directly control the amount of storage, efficient management of processor and network usage can help optimise the overall performance of the server.
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Plex server can be turned on at a pre-set time
Plex Media Server can be turned on at a pre-set time using the Task Scheduler that is built into Windows. This can be accessed under Settings > Server > Scheduled Tasks in the Plex Web App. Here, you can choose the hour at which background maintenance tasks should start and end. By default, this starts at 3 am and ends at 6 am. Every three days, a backup of your core SQL database file will be created to protect against corruption.
You can also restart the Plex server by starting PlexMediaServer.exe, which might be found in C:\Program Files (x86)\plex\plex media server. If the commands for stopping and starting Plex work, you can store them in .bat files and create scheduled tasks for running them.
It is worth noting that some users have reported that Plex Media Server is resource-heavy, even when idle. As such, you may want to consider putting it into sleep mode when you are not using it. However, this will mean that you cannot access Plex on other devices, such as your TV.
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Plex server won't work if the computer is in standby mode
Plex Media Server is smart software that makes playing movies, TV shows, and other media on your computer simple. However, the Plex server will not work if the computer is in standby mode. This is because the Plex server needs to be running and the computer or device with the server needs to be powered on for the Plex server to function.
If you are trying to access your content remotely, for example, using your phone when you are not at home, the server will need to be connected to the internet and successfully signed in and connected to Plex. In addition, Plex does not support WoL (Wake-on-LAN) functions, and there is no way for the Plex brokering servers to tunnel into your network to fire off a WoL packet if the device that provides the tunnel (the Plex server) is sleeping.
There are a few workarounds to this issue. One solution is to use the Task Scheduler in Windows to automatically turn on the Plex Media Server at a pre-set time. Another solution is to use NSSM (National Service Scheme) to turn Plex into a service, so you don't have to log in every time you want to use Plex. Additionally, you can install a WOL app on your phone and ping your computer whenever you need to wake it up.
It is important to note that some users have reported that their Plex server used to run while the computer was in sleep mode, but it suddenly stopped working. This could be due to various factors, such as changes in the Plex software or updates to the operating system. Therefore, it is recommended to keep your Plex software and operating system up to date and check the Plex community forums for any known issues or workarounds.
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Plex server can be controlled by a phone app
Plex is a platform that allows users to play movies, TV shows, and other media on their computers simply and efficiently. To use Plex, the server running the software must be powered on and connected to the internet. This is true even when attempting to access content remotely, for example, using a phone when you are not at home.
The Plex Media Server software can be controlled by a phone app, acting as a "remote control device". The official Plex app can be used to control the Plex Media Player app on your PC. To do this, you must first connect your phone to your PC. Once connected, you can use the remote option to browse and select movies or shows to play.
There are also third-party apps that can be used to control Plex. For example, the Vectir Remote Control app allows users to control Plex from their phones or tablets. This app is compatible with Android, Windows Phone 8, BlackBerry, or Java mobile devices.
Additionally, if you are using a Chrome browser, you can cast content to Chromecast using the Chromecast button on your phone. This option is available via the Android or iOS mobile apps, as well as the Plex Web App.
These phone apps provide users with the convenience of controlling the Plex server remotely, making it simple and efficient to access and play media content.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the Plex server will not work if your computer goes to sleep.
You can use the Task Scheduler that is built into Windows to automatically launch Plex at a certain time every day.
Plex will not work if your computer is hibernating or in sleep mode.
You can use a program like BleachBit to reduce Plex's resource usage.
