{"id":134303,"date":"2026-08-03T09:01:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:01:36","guid":{"rendered":"\/uk\/tutorials\/how-to-set-up-plex-server"},"modified":"2026-08-03T09:01:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T09:01:36","slug":"how-to-set-up-plex-server","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/uk\/tutorials\/how-to-set-up-plex-server\/","title":{"rendered":"How to set up a Plex server on a VPS"},"content":{"rendered":"

To set up a Plex server on a virtual private server (VPS), install Plex Media Server, give it access to your media, connect it to your Plex account, and allow remote playback. This creates an always-on personal streaming library without leaving a computer running at home.<\/p>

Setting up Plex manually on Ubuntu 24.04 gives you control over the installation, media folders, permissions, and firewall rules. A preconfigured Plex template gets you to the setup screen faster because Plex is already installed. You’ll still need to upload your media, create libraries, and configure remote access, though.<\/p>

Before you start streaming, check that the VPS has enough storage, monthly data transfer, and processing power for your needs. You’ll also organize your files, test playback, secure the server, monitor its resources, and fix common service, permission, storage, and connection failures.<\/p>

What do you need before setting up a Plex server?<\/h2>

You need a ready-to-use Ubuntu VPS, Secure Shell (SSH) access, a Plex account, media files, and enough server resources to store and stream them.<\/p>

Start by <\/a>setting up your VPS<\/a>. Note the server’s public Internet Protocol (IP) address, then sign in via SSH to confirm you can reach the server.<\/p>

ssh username@your_server_ip<\/code><\/p>

Replace username<\/strong><\/code> <\/strong>and your_server_ip<\/strong><\/code> with your own server details.<\/p>

SSH gives you an encrypted command-line connection from your computer to the VPS. You’ll use it to install Plex and manage the server. Your account also needs permission to run sudo<\/code> commands, since those commands change system-wide settings.<\/p>

Once you can connect successfully, check that the server meets the remaining requirements:<\/p>

Requirement<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

What to check<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Operating system<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The server is running 64-bit Ubuntu 24.04<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Random access memory (RAM)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

At least 4 GB is available – more if you’ll run other software alongside Plex<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Central processing unit (CPU)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Enough processing power for any video conversion Plex performs<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Storage<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Enough free space for media files, Plex library data, artwork, logs, and temporary files<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Network<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Outbound speed and monthly data transfer cover your expected streams<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Plex account<\/span><\/p><\/td>

You have an account to connect and manage the server<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

Media files<\/span><\/p><\/td>

You hold the rights to the movies, shows, music, or photos you plan to store and stream<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

Once you can connect to the VPS, check its processor power, network capacity, and storage. These resources set the practical limits on how much media you can store, how many streams the server can handle, and whether playback runs without buffering.<\/p>

Processor use depends on whether Plex can play the original file. With Direct Play<\/strong>, Plex sends the file unconverted, so the server does very little processing. <\/p>

If the viewing device doesn’t support the file or the connection can’t handle its original quality, Plex might transcode<\/strong> it by converting the video, audio, or resolution during playback. Transcoding uses much more CPU power and temporary disk space.<\/p>

Don’t assume that a standard VPS includes compatible graphics hardware for faster transcoding. Hardware-accelerated streaming requires supported hardware and an active Plex Pass. Without it, the CPU handles the conversion.<\/p>

The network matters just as much. Outbound speed determines whether each stream can play without buffering, while the plan’s monthly data allowance determines how much media the VPS can send in total. Storage must also leave room for Plex’s database, artwork, logs, and temporary transcoding files, not just your movies and shows.<\/p>

Before choosing a VPS provider, check that it allows this type of use and supports the network access Plex needs. Plex licenses its server software for personal use, expects it to run on a home network, and notes that it might not work with every online hosting provider.<\/p>

\n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n Important\n <\/span>\n

\n Important!<\/strong> <\/strong>A VPS isn’t on the same local network as your viewing devices, so Plex treats video playback from it as remote. Remote personal video playback requires Plex Pass on the server administrator’s account, Plex Pass on the viewer’s account, or Remote Watch Pass on the viewer’s account. Music through Plexamp and photos through Plex Photos aren’t covered by this restriction. \n <\/p><\/div><\/strong><\/p>

How to set up a Plex server manually on Ubuntu<\/h2>

Set up Plex manually on Ubuntu 24.04 by installing Plex Media Server, creating media folders it can access, connecting your Plex account, and allowing remote connections.<\/p>

1. Update the Ubuntu server<\/h3>

Start by <\/a>updating your Ubuntu server<\/a>:<\/p>

sudo apt update\n\nsudo apt upgrade -y<\/pre>
The first command refreshes Ubuntu’s list of available packages. The second installs the latest versions.<\/p>
Ubuntu might install a new Linux kernel during the upgrade. If it does, restart the VPS:<\/p>
sudo reboot<\/pre>
The restart will close your SSH connection. Wait for the server to come back online, then reconnect before continuing.<\/p>
2. Add the Plex repository and install Plex Media Server<\/h3>
Ubuntu needs to know where to download Plex and how to confirm that the package came from Plex.<\/p>
A software repository<\/strong> is an online source that Ubuntu can pull packages from and verify using a signing key. Adding Plex’s repository also lets later public Plex releases arrive through Ubuntu’s normal package manager.<\/p>
Install the tools needed to add the repository:<\/p>
sudo apt install -y curl gnupg2\n\nsudo install -d -m 0755 \/etc\/apt\/keyrings<\/pre>
Download the Plex signing key:<\/p>
curl -L https:\/\/downloads.plex.tv\/plex-keys\/PlexSign.v2.key \n\n  | sudo gpg --yes --dearmor \n\n-o \/etc\/apt\/keyrings\/plexmediaserver.v2.gpg<\/pre>
The signing key lets Ubuntu verify that Plex published the package and that it hasn’t been changed after release.<\/p>
Add the official Plex repository:<\/p>
echo \"deb [signed-by=\/etc\/apt\/keyrings\/plexmediaserver.v2.gpg] https:\/\/repo.plex.tv\/deb\/ public main\" \n\n  | sudo tee \/etc\/apt\/sources.list.d\/plex.list<\/pre>
Refresh the package list again and install Plex Media Server:<\/p>
sudo apt update\n\nsudo apt install -y plexmediaserver<\/pre>
Once the installation finishes, Ubuntu can install future public Plex releases through its usual package update process.<\/p>
3. Start Plex and check that it’s running<\/h3>
Plex runs in the background as a Linux service<\/strong>. A service is a program that keeps running after you close your SSH session. Ubuntu uses systemctl<\/code> to <\/a>manage Linux services<\/a>, including starting, stopping, and checking their status.<\/p>
Enable Plex and start it immediately:<\/p>
sudo systemctl enable --now plexmediaserver<\/pre>
The enable<\/code> part tells Ubuntu to start Plex whenever the VPS boots. The –now part starts it without waiting for the next restart.<\/p>
Check whether the service is active:<\/p>
sudo systemctl is-active plexmediaserver<\/pre>
A working installation returns:<\/p>
active<\/pre>
You’re ready to continue when you see that result.<\/p>
If the command returns inactive<\/code> or failed<\/code>, inspect the service status and recent log messages:<\/p>
sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver\n\nsudo journalctl -u plexmediaserver -n 50 --no-pager<\/pre>
Look near the bottom of the output. A missing file, permission failure, or port conflict will usually appear there.<\/p>
4. Create folders Plex can access<\/h3>
Plex runs under its own Linux account, named plex<\/code>. Your SSH account uploads the files, while the plex<\/code> account reads them during library scans and playback.<\/p>
Both accounts need access to the same media folders. Placing them in a shared Linux group gives them that access without making the files writable by every account on the server.<\/p>
Create a group named media<\/code>, then add Plex and your current login account:<\/p>
sudo groupadd --force media\n\nsudo usermod -aG media plex\n\nsudo usermod -aG media \"$USER\"<\/pre>
Create a separate folder for each media type:<\/p>
sudo mkdir -p \n\n  \/srv\/plexmedia\/Movies \n\n  \"\/srv\/plexmedia\/TV Shows\" \n\n\/srv\/plexmedia\/Music<\/pre>
Set your current user as the owner and media<\/code> as the shared group:<\/p>
sudo chown -R \"$USER\":media \/srv\/plexmedia<\/pre>
Adjust the folder and file permissions<\/a> for Plex:<\/p>
sudo find \/srv\/plexmedia -type d -exec chmod 2775 {} ;\n\nsudo find \/srv\/plexmedia -type f -exec chmod 664 {} ;<\/pre>
These settings let your account upload and organize files while giving Plex access to the library. The leading 2<\/code> in 2775<\/code> also makes new subfolders inherit the media<\/code> group, so Plex is less likely to lose access as the library grows.<\/p>
Restart Plex after changing its group membership:<\/p>
sudo systemctl restart plexmediaserver<\/pre>
Disconnect and reconnect your SSH or file-transfer session as well. Linux applies your own new group membership when you sign in again.<\/p>
Check the Plex Support<\/a> page for more guidance regarding Linux file and directory permissions.<\/p>
Test the TV folder through the same account Plex uses:<\/p>
sudo -u plex ls \"\/srv\/plexmedia\/TV Shows\"<\/pre>
No output is fine if the folder is empty. A Permission denied<\/code> message means Plex still can’t access the path.<\/p>
5. Upload and organize your media<\/h3>
Use Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)<\/a> to transfer your media files securely.<\/p>
SFTP sends files through the same encrypted connection as SSH. Upload each media type to its matching folder:<\/p>