If you’re a regular Plex user, you may have encountered an issue where you are unable to stream a video, and instead, you receive the error message, “Plex: An error occurred while attempting to play this video.” This issue can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to watch your favorite movies or TV shows. In this article, we’ll explore the possible causes of this error and provide you with practical solutions to resolve it.
Understanding Plex: What Is It?
Before diving into troubleshooting, let’s take a quick look at Plex. Plex is a media server platform that allows users to stream movies, TV shows, music, photos, and more, across various devices. Plex works by organizing all your media files into a neat library and offering seamless streaming through the Plex client, which can be accessed on computers, smartphones, smart TVs, streaming devices, and more.
Despite its user-friendly interface and solid streaming performance, even the most reliable apps can occasionally encounter issues. One such issue is the “An error occurred while attempting to play this video” message, which many Plex users have reported. This problem can occur on various devices, including desktop applications, mobile apps, and smart TVs. Let’s explore what could be causing this error and how you can fix it.
Common Causes of the “An Error Occurred While Attempting to Play This Video” Issue
Before we begin troubleshooting, it’s important to understand some of the common causes of this error:
- Corrupt Media Files: If the media file you are trying to play is damaged or corrupted, Plex will fail to stream it properly, resulting in the error message.
- Plex Server Issues: Problems with your Plex Media Server could also be the culprit. This can include server misconfigurations, outdated versions of Plex, or insufficient server resources.
- Network Issues: A slow or unstable internet connection can interrupt the streaming process, causing Plex to encounter errors when attempting to load or play a video.
- Transcoding Problems: If the video format is not supported by the Plex client or your device, Plex will attempt to transcode the file. If there are any issues during this process, you may encounter the error message.
- Device-Specific Problems: Sometimes, issues specific to the device you’re using to stream Plex may cause this error, such as outdated apps or incompatible devices.
How to Resolve “Plex An Error Occurred While Attempting to Play This Video”
Now that we have a better understanding of what might be causing the issue, let’s dive into the troubleshooting steps. Here are the solutions you can try to resolve this error:
1. Check the Media File for Corruption
The first thing you should do is check the media file for corruption. If the file itself is damaged, Plex won’t be able to stream it, and you’ll see the error message.
How to Check for File Corruption:
- Try playing the file outside of Plex, using a different media player such as VLC or Windows Media Player.
- If the video doesn’t play in another player, it’s likely that the file is corrupt. In this case, you can either attempt to repair the file using specialized software or download the file again from a trusted source.
2. Ensure Your Plex Media Server Is Up-to-Date
An outdated version of Plex can lead to compatibility issues, including streaming errors. Make sure your Plex Media Server is running the latest version.
How to Update Plex:
- Open the Plex Media Server dashboard and check for any available updates. If there’s an update available, you will typically see a prompt to download and install it.
- You can also visit the official Plex website to manually download the latest version and install it on your system.
- Once you’ve updated Plex, restart the server and check if the error persists.
3. Clear Plex Cache and Transcoder Files
Sometimes, corrupted cache or transcoder files can cause issues when trying to stream videos on Plex. Clearing these files may resolve the error and improve overall performance.
How to Clear Plex Cache:
- On Windows, go to the
Plex Media Serverfolder (usually located inC:\Users\[YourName]\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server). - Delete the cache and transcoder folders.
- On macOS, navigate to
~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server, and delete the cache and transcoder folders.
After clearing the cache, restart Plex and see if the issue is resolved.
4. Check Your Network Connection
A slow or unstable network connection is another potential cause of this error. Plex requires a stable connection to stream videos, especially high-definition content.
How to Improve Network Connection:
- Check your internet speed using a tool like Speedtest.net to make sure your connection is fast enough for streaming. For HD video, a download speed of at least 5 Mbps is recommended.
- If you’re using Wi-Fi, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection for a more stable and faster connection.
- If you’re using a VPN, disable it and check if the error goes away, as VPNs can sometimes interfere with streaming.
5. Check Your Device’s Compatibility
Plex supports a wide range of devices, but not all devices are created equal. Sometimes, certain devices may not support the video format you are trying to play, leading to the error message.
How to Check Device Compatibility:
- If you’re trying to stream to a smart TV, streaming device, or mobile phone, check to see if the device supports the video format (e.g., MKV, MP4, AVI, etc.) you’re trying to play.
- If your device is incompatible with the file type, you may need to transcode the file to a compatible format. Plex will attempt to do this automatically, but if the transcoding process fails, you may encounter errors.
6. Reconfigure Plex Transcoding Settings
Transcoding is the process by which Plex converts a video file into a compatible format for your device. If there are issues with transcoding, Plex will fail to stream the video.
How to Reconfigure Transcoding Settings:
- Go to the Plex Web App and navigate to
Settings > Server > Transcoder. - Under Transcoder settings, enable “Transcoder Quality” and set it to “Automatic”.
- You can also lower the transcoder quality settings to reduce the processing load on your server, which can help with performance.
- Make sure your server hardware is capable of handling transcoding tasks, as this can be resource-intensive.
7. Reboot Your Plex Media Server
If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps above and the issue persists, try restarting the Plex Media Server. Sometimes, a simple reboot can clear any temporary glitches and restore functionality.
How to Restart Plex:
- On Windows, restart Plex from the System Tray or by closing the application and reopening it.
- On macOS, quit Plex Media Server from the Activity Monitor and relaunch it.
- You can also restart your server via the Plex Web App by navigating to
Settings > Server > Generaland clicking the “Restart” button.
8. Contact Plex Support
If none of the above solutions work, and the error persists, you may need to reach out to Plex Support for further assistance. They can provide specialized help for your specific issue.
Conclusion
Encountering the “Plex: An error occurred while attempting to play this video” issue can be frustrating, but it’s usually fixable. By checking the media file for corruption, updating your Plex server, clearing cache files, ensuring a stable network connection, and adjusting transcoding settings, you should be able to resolve the problem in no time.
Plex offers a seamless streaming experience when everything is running smoothly, and by following these troubleshooting steps, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite media without interruptions. If you continue to face issues, don’t hesitate to contact Plex Support for additional assistance. Happy streaming!
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Arthur D. Pope is an expert in identifying, analyzing, and solving all types of errors. With years of experience in troubleshooting across various fields, Arthur uses his knowledge to help individuals and businesses overcome challenges. Through his blog, LifeChangingMagazine.com, he provides valuable insights into resolving errors and turning mistakes into learning opportunities.