How To Install Plex Media Server on Fedora 41

Plex Media Server is a powerful platform that allows you to organize and stream your media collection seamlessly. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, it has become a favorite among media enthusiasts. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Plex Media Server on Fedora 41, ensuring that you can enjoy your movies, TV shows, and music from any device on your network.

Prerequisites Before Installation

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to ensure that your system meets the necessary requirements. This section outlines both hardware and software prerequisites.

System Requirements

• Hardware Specifications: A modern CPU (Intel or AMD), at least 2 GB of RAM (4 GB recommended), and adequate storage space for your media files.
• Recommended Network Setup: A wired Ethernet connection is preferred for better streaming performance, especially for high-definition content.

Software Requirements

• Fedora Version: Ensure you are running Fedora 41 or later for compatibility with the latest Plex features.
• Necessary Packages: You will need basic utilities such as wget and dnf, which are typically pre-installed on Fedora systems.

User Permissions

To install Plex Media Server, you must have sudo privileges. This ensures you can execute commands that require administrative access.

Updating Your System

Keeping your system updated is crucial for security and performance. Before installing any new software, run the following command to update all packages:

sudo dnf update -y

This command will ensure that all installed packages are up to date, reducing the likelihood of conflicts during the Plex installation process.

Downloading Plex Media Server

Plex Media Server is not included in the default Fedora repositories, so you’ll need to download it manually. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the Plex Downloads Page: Navigate to the official Plex website to find the latest version of the media server.
2. Download the RPM Package: Use wget to download the latest RPM package directly to your server. Run the following command in your terminal:

wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.41.1.9057-af5eaea7a/redhat/plexmediaserver-1.41.1.9057-af5eaea7a.x86_64.rpm

This command fetches the most recent version of Plex Media Server for Fedora systems.

Installing Plex Media Server

Once you have downloaded the RPM package, it’s time to install it using DNF. This package manager simplifies software installations on Fedora. Run the following command:

sudo dnf install plexmediaserver-1.41.1.9057-af5eaea7a.x86_64.rpm -y

This command installs Plex Media Server and all of its dependencies. After installation, verify that it was successful by checking if the service is available:

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.service

If installed correctly, you should see an active status indicating that Plex is running.

Starting and Enabling Plex Service

Plex Media Server needs to be started manually after installation. To start the service and enable it to run at boot, use these commands:

sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.service
sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver.service

The first command starts the service immediately, while the second ensures that it will launch automatically when your system boots up. You can check its status again with:

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.service

Configuring Plex Media Server

After starting Plex Media Server, access its web interface to complete the configuration:

1. Open a Web Browser: On your local machine or any device connected to your network, open a web browser.
2. Navigating to Plex: Enter the following URL in your browser’s address bar: http://localhost:32400/web. If accessing from another device on your network, replace “localhost” with your server’s IP address.
3. Create or Sign In to Your Account: Follow the prompts to create a new account or sign in with an existing one.
4. Add Media Libraries: The setup wizard will guide you through adding libraries for Movies, TV Shows, Music, etc. Click on “Add Library,” select the type of media, and specify the folder where your media files are stored.

This configuration allows Plex to scan and organize your media files automatically.

Securing Your Plex Media Server

Securitizing your Plex Media Server is crucial for protecting your data and ensuring safe streaming. Follow these steps to enhance security:

• • Configure Firewall Rules: By default, Fedora’s firewall may block access to Plex. Use these commands to allow traffic on necessary ports:

sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=plex --permanent
sudo firewall-cmd --reload

• Enable Secure Connections: In the Plex settings under “Network,” enable secure connections (HTTPS) for added security while accessing your media remotely.

Maintaining Your Plex Media Server

A well-maintained server ensures optimal performance and security. Here are some maintenance tips:

• • Regular Updates: Keep both Fedora and Plex updated. To update Plex specifically, run this command periodically:

sudo dnf update plexmediaserver -y

• Backup Configuration: Regularly back up your configuration files and metadata by exporting them through the web interface or manually copying them from their directories.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter problems during installation or operation, consider these common issues and their solutions:

• Plex Service Not Starting: Check logs for errors using /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs/. Ensure all dependencies are installed correctly.
• No Media Appearing in Libraries: Verify that you’ve added folders correctly in settings and that they contain supported file formats (e.g., MP4, MKV).
• Plex Not Accessible Remotely: Ensure that remote access is enabled in settings and check firewall rules again if necessary.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Plex. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the Plex Media Server on your Fedora 41 system. For additional or useful information, we recommend you check the official Plex website.