How to Upgrade Plex on Ubuntu: A Comprehensive Guide

Keeping your Plex Media Server up-to-date is crucial for optimal performance, access to the latest features, and crucial security patches. This comprehensive guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough on how to upgrade Plex on Ubuntu, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience. Whether you’re a seasoned Linux user or relatively new to Ubuntu, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to maintain your Plex server effectively. We’ll cover various methods, from using the Plex web interface to leveraging the command line, offering flexibility to suit your technical comfort level. Ensuring your Plex server is current is a critical step in maintaining a reliable and secure media streaming environment. By following these instructions, you can easily upgrade Plex on Ubuntu and continue enjoying your media library without interruption.

Why Upgrade Plex on Ubuntu?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s explore why it’s so important to upgrade Plex on Ubuntu regularly:

• New Features: Each update often brings exciting new features and enhancements to the Plex ecosystem.
• Bug Fixes: Updates address known bugs and glitches, improving the overall stability and user experience.
• Security Patches: Security vulnerabilities are constantly being discovered. Upgrading ensures your server is protected against potential threats.
• Performance Improvements: Newer versions often include optimizations that enhance streaming performance and reduce resource consumption.
• Compatibility: Staying up-to-date ensures compatibility with the latest Plex clients and streaming devices.

Methods to Upgrade Plex on Ubuntu

There are several ways to upgrade Plex on Ubuntu. We’ll cover the most common and reliable methods:

Using the Plex Web Interface

The simplest method is often through the Plex web interface:

1. Access Plex Web: Open your web browser and navigate to your Plex Media Server’s web interface (usually http://localhost:32400/web or http://your_server_ip:32400/web).
2. Check for Updates: In the top-right corner, look for a notification indicating an available update. Alternatively, navigate to Settings > General. If an update is available, you’ll see a button to download and install it.
3. Install the Update: Click the update button and follow the on-screen instructions. The server will download and install the update automatically.
4. Restart if Necessary: In some cases, you might need to restart the Plex Media Server after the update is complete.

This method is the easiest, however, it’s not always reliable. Sometimes the update doesn’t show up, or the installation fails. If this happens, try one of the command-line methods described below.

Upgrading Plex via the Command Line (apt)

This method is more technical but generally more reliable. It involves using the apt package manager, which is the standard way to manage software on Ubuntu.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have SSH access to your Ubuntu server. You’ll also need sudo privileges to execute commands as an administrator.

Steps

1. SSH into your Ubuntu Server: Open your terminal and connect to your server using SSH: ssh your_username@your_server_ip.
2. Stop the Plex Media Server: Before upgrading, you need to stop the Plex Media Server service: sudo systemctl stop plexmediaserver.
3. Download the Latest Plex Media Server Package: Navigate to the Plex Downloads page (https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads/) and find the latest Ubuntu package. Copy the direct download link for the package (it will end in `.deb`).
4. Download the Package to Your Server: Use the wget command to download the package directly to your server. Replace the example URL with the actual URL you copied: wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.40.0.7998-c29d471c8/debian/plexmediaserver_1.40.0.7998-c29d471c8_amd64.deb. (Note: Always check the Plex website for the *latest* version number and URL.)
5. Install the Package: Use the dpkg command to install the downloaded package: sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_1.40.0.7998-c29d471c8_amd64.deb. (Again, adjust the filename to match the actual downloaded file).
6. Fix Dependencies (if needed): If you encounter any dependency errors during the installation, run: sudo apt-get install -f. This will attempt to resolve any missing dependencies.
7. Start the Plex Media Server: After successful installation, start the Plex Media Server service: sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.
8. Verify the Installation: Check the status of the Plex Media Server to ensure it’s running correctly: sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver. You should see a message indicating that the service is active (running).

Upgrading Plex via the Command Line (Plex Repository)

A more streamlined method involves adding the Plex repository to your system’s package sources. This allows you to upgrade Plex on Ubuntu using the standard apt update and apt upgrade commands.

Steps

1. Add the Plex Repository Key: This step ensures the authenticity of the packages you’re downloading from the Plex repository. First, you might need to install `curl` if you don’t already have it: `sudo apt update && sudo apt install curl`. Then, run: curl https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-keys/PlexSign.key | sudo apt-key add -.
2. Add the Plex Repository to Your Sources List: Create a new file in the /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory: echo deb https://downloads.plex.tv/repo/deb public main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/plexmediaserver.list.
3. Update Your Package Lists: Run sudo apt update to refresh your package lists and include the Plex repository.
4. Upgrade Plex: Now you can upgrade Plex on Ubuntu using the standard upgrade command: sudo apt upgrade. This will upgrade all outdated packages on your system, including Plex. If you only want to upgrade Plex, use: sudo apt install plexmediaserver.
5. Verify the Installation: Check the status of the Plex Media Server to ensure it’s running correctly: sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.

Using the Plex repository is the recommended approach as it simplifies future updates. Whenever a new version of Plex is released, you can easily upgrade Plex on Ubuntu by simply running sudo apt update and sudo apt upgrade.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While upgrading Plex is generally straightforward, you might encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Dependency Errors: If you encounter dependency errors during the installation, try running sudo apt-get install -f. This will attempt to resolve any missing dependencies.
• Plex Media Server Not Starting: Check the Plex Media Server logs for errors. The logs are typically located in /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs/. Look for any error messages that might indicate the cause of the problem. Common causes include permission issues or corrupted database files.
• Update Not Showing in Web Interface: Clear your browser’s cache and cookies. If that doesn’t work, try restarting the Plex Media Server.
• Failed to Download Package: Double-check the download URL and ensure you have a stable internet connection.

Post-Upgrade Tasks

After successfully upgrading Plex, consider performing these tasks:

• Verify Library Integrity: Check your media libraries to ensure all your content is still accessible and playing correctly.
• Check Plugin Compatibility: If you use any plugins, verify that they are still compatible with the new version of Plex.
• Review Release Notes: Familiarize yourself with the new features and bug fixes included in the update.

Conclusion

Keeping your Plex Media Server up-to-date is essential for a smooth and enjoyable media streaming experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily upgrade Plex on Ubuntu using various methods, ensuring you have access to the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. Whether you prefer the simplicity of the web interface or the control of the command line, there’s a method that suits your needs. Remember to regularly check for updates and promptly install them to maintain a secure and optimized Plex server. Regular updates are paramount to a healthy server. Don’t neglect the process to upgrade Plex on Ubuntu. [See also: Optimizing Plex Transcoding] [See also: Setting Up Plex Home Theater] [See also: Securing Your Plex Server]