How to Install Plex on Ubuntu? [SOLVED]

Plex is a popular media server software that allows you to organize and stream your media content, such as movies, TV shows, music, and photos, to various devices. Installing Plex on Ubuntu is a straightforward process that can be completed in just a few simple steps. Once installed, you can access and stream your media content from anywhere, whether you're at home or on the go. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to install Plex on Ubuntu and get started with organizing and streaming your media content.

 

Steps to install Plex on Ubuntu

Installing Plex Media Server on Ubuntu is pretty easy. We will explain the installation step by step.

 

Step 1: Update The System And Install Required Dependencies

First, update the package list and packages in Ubuntu:

$ sudo apt update -y
$ sudo apt upgrade -y

Install the wget package after the update. If it is installed you can skip this step:

$ sudo apt install wget -y

 

Step 2: Downloading Plex Media Server

Plex Media Server is available on its official website. Copy the download address of the package released for Ubuntu.

 

Type the copied link after the wget command in the terminal. Depending on your internet speed, the download will complete in a few minutes.

$ wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.2.6810-a607d384f/debian/plexmediaserver_1.31.2.6810-a607d384f_amd64.deb
--2023-03-19 16:20:40--  https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.31.2.6810-a607d384f/debian/plexmediaserver_1.31.2.6810-a607d384f_amd64.deb
Resolving downloads.plex.tv (downloads.plex.tv)... 172.64.146.103, 104.18.41.153, 2606:4700:4400::6812:2999, ...
Connecting to downloads.plex.tv (downloads.plex.tv)|172.64.146.103|:443... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 83378980 (80M) [application/x-debian-package]
Saving to: ‘plexmediaserver_1.31.2.6810-a607d384f_amd64.deb’

plexmediaserver_1 100%[=============>]  79,52M  2,76MB/s    in 28s     

2023-03-19 16:21:08 (2,89 MB/s) - ‘plexmediaserver_1.31.2.6810-a607d384f_amd64.deb’ saved [83378980/83378980]

This command will download the latest version of Plex Media Server.

 

Step 3: Installation via Package Manager

After the download is complete, you can use the following command to install Plex Media Server:

$ sudo apt install ./plexmediaserver_1.31.2.6810-a607d384f_amd64.deb -y

Successfully installed Plex Media Server on installed Ubuntu.

 

Step 4: Starting Plex Media Server

With the installation of Plex Media Server, a service file has been installed on the system. Start servise:

$ sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.service

and enable at startup:

$ sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver.service

The plexmediaserver.service service is started. Status of the service:

$ sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.service
● plexmediaserver.service - Plex Media Server
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service; enabl>
     Active: active (running) since Sun 2023-03-19 17:39:16 +03; 3min 1>
   Main PID: 102630 (Plex Media Serv)
      Tasks: 109 (limit: 4614)
     Memory: 234.2M
        CPU: 17.419s
     CGroup: /system.slice/plexmediaserver.service
             ├─102630 "/usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Media Server"
...

 

Step 5: Firewall Configuration

Plex Media Server must gain access to the network to communicate with other devices. So to use Plex Media Server you need to open port 32400/tcp in Ubuntu's firewall.

$ sudo ufw allow 32400/tcp
Rules updated
Rules updated (v6)

Then reload the firewall:

$ sudo ufw reload
Firewall reloaded

View the rules applied:

$ sudo ufw status
Status: active

To                         Action      From
--                         ------      ----
32400/tcp                  ALLOW       Anywhere                  
32400/tcp (v6)             ALLOW       Anywhere (v6)

 

Step 6: Configuring Plex Media Server

To configure Plex Media Server, open a web browser and type the following URL  http://<server_ip_address>:32400/web.

If you are already connected to that server, simply type the following addresses in a browser:

http://localohost:32400/web

or

http://127.0.0.1:32400/web

 

You can now login to the Plex media server using an existing social media account. If you don't have an account, you can create one now.

 

Configure your server name. Allow access to media outside the house and click the "Next" button.

• Yes, Start Syncing / No
• Next
• Done

The installation was successful. Click "Finish Setup".

 

You can now use Plex Media Server.

 

Summary

In summary, to install Plex on Ubuntu, you need to first update your system and install the required dependencies, followed by downloading the Plex Media Server. You can then install the server using the package manager and start it. After that, you need to configure the firewall settings to allow access to the server. Finally, you can configure the Plex Media Server to organize and stream your media content. By following these steps, you can set up Plex on your Ubuntu system and start enjoying your favorite media content.

You can comment on the problems you encounter.

 

References

www.golinuxcloud.com - Install Plex media server Debian 11 [Step-by-Step]
support.plex.tv - Installation