Setting up Plex Media Server as a service ensures it runs continuously, even when you’re not logged into Windows. This way, Plex starts automatically with Windows and stays active in the background, providing constant access to your media without manual input.
This guide will show you how to set up Plex Media Server to always run as a service on Windows.
Why Run Plex as a Service?
Running Plex as a service offers several advantages:
- Automatic startup: Plex will start automatically whenever your PC boots up, without needing a user to log in.
- Always accessible: Plex will be available to your devices at all times, making it perfect for home or remote media access.
- Background operation: Plex will run in the background, so you can close the app window and still keep the server running.
How to Set Up Plex Media Server as a Windows Service
Step 1: Install Plex Media Server
Before setting up Plex as a service, ensure Plex Media Server is installed and running on your Windows PC.
- Download Plex Media Server from the official website.
- Follow the installation instructions and configure your media library.
- Verify that Plex is running correctly before moving to the next step.
Step 2: Use a Third-Party Tool (NSSM) to Run Plex as a Service
Windows doesn’t have a built-in way to turn user applications into services, so you’ll need a third-party tool like NSSM (Non-Sucking Service Manager) to run Plex as a service.
- Download NSSM from the official site.
- Extract the zip file to a convenient location on your PC.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator (right-click the Start button and choose Command Prompt (Admin)).
- Navigate to the folder where you extracted NSSM. For example, if it’s in
C:\nssm, type:cd C:\nssm\win64(usewin32if you’re using 32-bit Windows). - Install Plex as a service by running this command:
nssm install PlexMediaServer
Step 3: Configure the Service
After running the installation command, an NSSM setup window will open. Follow these steps to configure it:
- Application Path:
Click Browse and navigate to the Plex Media Server executable, typically located at:C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex Media Server.exe
Select this file. - Startup Directory:
This field will auto-populate with the same folder. Ensure it points to the directory containing Plex Media Server.exe. - Service Name:
Name the service something descriptive, like PlexMediaServer.
Finally, click Install Service to complete the setup.
Step 4: Start the Plex Service
Once the service is installed, you need to start it.
- Open Services by pressing Windows + R, typing
services.msc, and hitting Enter. - In the Services window, scroll down and find PlexMediaServer.
- Right-click on it and select Start to run Plex as a service.
Step 5: Set Plex to Start Automatically with Windows
To ensure Plex runs every time your PC boots up, configure the service to start automatically.
- In the Services window, right-click on PlexMediaServer.
- Select Properties.
- Under Startup type, choose Automatic from the dropdown menu.
- Click Apply and then OK.
Step 6: Verify That Plex is Running as a Service
After setting everything up, you can verify that Plex is running properly as a service.
- Open your web browser and go to the Plex server dashboard by typing:
http://localhost:32400/web - Ensure that Plex is running and you can access your media library.
Following these steps will set Plex Media Server to run as a service on your Windows system, starting automatically and running in the background. This ensures it’s always available without the need to log in or manually start the server. With Plex running continuously, you can enjoy seamless media streaming anytime, anywhere!