[HELP] "Plex Media Server hasn't been enabled or started" error message

[Ante3000]

I am running Plex Media Server V1.1.4.2757 on my QNAP TS-451A NAS. The NAS firmware is 4.2.2 Build 20161102. On boot, Plex Media Server does not seem to initialize properly. I can go into HDStation and open Plex, but it does not show any of my content. To correct this, I have to stop and start Plex Media Server from AppCenter. After doing so, everything seems to work just fine.

The only error I see within the web interface's "Event Notification" log viewer is:

Code: Select all

Type	Date	Time	Users	Source IP	Computer name	Content	

Error	2016/11/19	10:00:36	System	127.0.0.1	localhost	Plex Media Server hasn't been enabled or started ...	

The problem has persisted through several versions of both the QNAP firmware and Plex Media Center. Having to restart the service after each boot 'by hand' is annoying, and I'd like to fix it if I can. Does anyone have any idea why Plex Media Server may not be starting cleanly at boot?

Thanks so much!

[ROLLINS]

Having the same problem

[Charwend01]

Having the Same Problem, QNAP told me to just use there App's or roll back to one that will work. its not there problem but PLex.

[ROLLINS]

Guess you got a lazy QNAP rep, the one i got did a remote and fixed it. All is well again

[Toxic17]

I just Installed it direct from https://www.plex.tv/downloads/ 1.2.7.2987-1bef33a November 8, 2016

Working fine here.

[8bitkid]

@rollins, how did it get fixed? I too get the error each time I upgrade, but the server seems to work fine. I think one time I may have accidentally installed the wrong version, but then installed the correct version over it. Everything works fine with Plex, but it is annoying to get this message with each new version.

[ROLLINS]

umm as i recall he went into the qnap app center downloaded something then ran putty i think and
some other place in the qnap interface.He were moving real fast with the mouse.
Give qnap tech support a call, sorry couldn't be more helpful

[Jaideco]

Thank you for your advice.
I have exactly the same problem but I do not know how to fix it.
How do I edit plex.sh or qpkg.conf?
Can you provide any more detail?

Hi,

Plex Media Server is provide by Plex.tv NOT by QNAP itself ...

Plex have a problem with a "race condition" ... solved by plex (using the baddest way) by a sleep to wait 5 seconds ... BUT not all the time enough to don't fall in the problem ...

workaround :
change the plex.sh to wait on the require evnt to don't start to early (method are explain in old old old wiki (but who read wiki today ... ))
change the position of the plex server in qpkg.conf (put at end) ... so all that it need will be up before (just a cut and paste)
ask to Plex.tv to manage correctly any race condition ... even "lazy" guys must exist in all company ...

Philippe.
NB and of course as Toxic17 said ... be sure to use the latest version for the correct QTS (4.2.2 (x86) or 4.3.x (x86_64))... always update script can exist ...

[sleppert]

There are two problems here, I'll address both of them.

The syslog error is related to a problem with shutdown, rather than startup (separate from the problem starting the server)
On Shutdown, the plex.sh script is run twice. The first time it works "Stopping Plex Media Server" shows in the syslog, and the second time I get the annoying error "Plex Media Server hasn't been enabled or started ..." because the PID File has already been deleted from the first time it was run. The error should be harmless but I changed "2" (error) to "1" (warning) in plex.sh because I get emails for lvl 2 errors...

Code: Select all

 
   stop)
    if [ ! -f "$PID_FILE" ]; then
      logMsg="Plex Media Server hasn't been enabled or started ..."
      echo $logMsg
      /sbin/log_tool -t 2 -a "$logMsg"
      exit 0

TO:

Code: Select all

 
   stop)
    if [ ! -f "$PID_FILE" ]; then
      logMsg="Plex Media Server hasn't been enabled or started ..."
      echo $logMsg
      /sbin/log_tool -t 1 -a "$logMsg"
      exit 0

But then we still have the startup issue to figure out, the Plex server doesn't start on system startup.

The 5 second sleep change that father_mande vaguely mentioned is already present in my version of plex.sh, and is not working for me.
And the PlexMediaServer was already the last entry in the qpkg.conf. I had to edit some code:
Before:

Code: Select all

    #Wait a little bit, since new firmware seems to cause a race condition
    sleep 5
    ulimit -s 3000
    cd ${QPKG_DIR}
    ./Plex\ Media\ Server &

I took a brute force approach to starting it (Loop and try to start it 10 times). It's not pretty, but it works (always on the second try for me)
After:

Code: Select all

    #Wait a little bit, since new firmware seems to cause a race condition
    #sleep 5
    ulimit -s 3000
    cd ${QPKG_DIR}
    for (( i=1; i<=10; i=i+1 ))
    do
       if [ ! -f "$PID_FILE" ]; then
            logMsg="Plex: No PID file found: attempting to start..."
            echo $logMsg
            /sbin/log_tool -t 0 -a "$logMsg"
           ./Plex\ Media\ Server &
           sleep 10
       else
            logMsg="Plex was started on attempt [$i]..."
            echo $logMsg
            /sbin/log_tool -t 0 -a "$logMsg"
            exit 0
       fi
       if [ ! -f "$PID_FILE" ]; then
            logMsg="Plex did not start after 10 attempts, ugh!..."
            echo $logMsg
            /sbin/log_tool -t 2 -a "$logMsg"
       fi
    done

Make sure you backup your plex.sh file before you edit in case you nerf it while editing.
You can test the script via command line

Code: Select all

  > cd /etc/init.d
  > plex.sh stop
  > plex.sh start

File locations:
There is a softlink to plex.sh here:
/etc/init.d/plex.sh --> /share/MD0_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/plex.sh

The qpkg.conf is here - /mnt/HDA_ROOT/.config/qpkg.conf

The install (if you care) is here:
QPKG_DIR = /share/MD0_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex Media Server
Plex Logs are here:
/share/MD0_DATA/.qpkg/PlexMediaServer/Library/Plex Media Server/Logs

QNAP Firmware 4.2.2
Plex version - 1.3.3.3148

[mikasand]

My plex server have same issue but first after updating Qnap QTS from 4.2 to 4.3 beta.

How to modify plex.sh and. qpkg.conf what tools are needed?

[BDillon08]

I was getting the same error. I was able to remedy it by disabling the HD Station on the NAS. While this is not an ideal solution for me it is working 100%. If I re-enable it, Plex will not start on reboot.

[ANKKA32]

I got same problem when i update firmware 4.3.3. I got some way to work uninstall plex server and download back to with "AppCenter" where is v1.5.3 ( if you update last patch then start same problem again)

My biggest problem is plex stuck loading screen when i trying watch film.

EDIT: Two days worked well

[iAmTron]

So after upgrading i had to remove the 32 bit version completely and reinstall the latest 64bit version for it to work again.

[pbart]

I got same problem when i update firmware 4.3.3. I got some way to work uninstall plex server and download back to with "AppCenter" where is v1.5.3 ( if you update last patch then start same problem again)

My biggest problem is plex stuck loading screen when i trying watch film.

EDIT: Two days worked well

Hello Ankka32,
I have just upgraded my NAS to QTS 4.3.3 and Plex won't start.
Can you explain me how you solved the problem?
Do I understand correctly that you:
- uninstalled Plex
- downloaded and installed again Plex 1.5.3 and it worked ?

Thanks

[Monkeyman]

Thanks for the help
Disabled HD Station
Uninstalled and reinstalled plex and all good. Had to point it to the path of my files but 2.5TB of stuff is now available again