How to Add Plex Media Server to Your Home Network

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If you’ve recently purchased a Plex Media Server, you may be wondering how to set it up. Fortunately, adding a server to your Plex account is a relatively simple process. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps of setting up a Plex Media Server and adding it to your account.

The first step is to open the Settings menu in the top-right corner of the Plex Web client. Then click on the Server menu item. Here you will want to give your server a friendly name that is easy to remember (e.g., “Living Room TV”). Once you have chosen a name, click on the Claim server button to associate it with your Plex account. You may need to log in again if prompted.

Please note that you can add as many servers as you would like to your Plex account – there is no limit! It’s important that all of your servers are running the most current version of the Plex Media Server software though, so please double-check support.plex.tv for updates before getting started.

Once your server has been added, you can start adding content from supported sources such as iTunes and other media libraries or streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus. You can also add media files from local storage or network storage devices such as NAS drives or USB drives connected directly to your router/modem.

Finally, if at any point during setup, you experience problems connecting or finding your server, please double-check that:
1) You are using the latest version of the Plex Media Server software
2) You’ve logged into the plex Media Server using your plex account
3) All of your media sources are correctly connected and configured
4) Your router/modem settings allow access for remote connections (if applicable)

With these few simple steps, you should be all setup and ready to start enjoying all of the great features offered by Plex!

How to Add Plex Media Server to Your Home Network 1

Adding a Server to Plex

First, log in to the Plex Web Client. Once you’re logged in, click on the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the page. Then select the Server menu item. You’ll want to set a descriptive Friendly name for your server and then click the Claim server button to connect your server to your Plex account. You may be prompted to log in again if it’s not already connected to your account. After that, you’re done! Your new server has been added and is now ready for use.

Using Multiple Plex Servers

Yes, you can have multiple Plex servers in one household. Each server requires its own computer or device and a separate installation of the Plex Media Server software. You can then configure each server to manage different types of media, or share a library between them. This allows for more flexibility in organizing your media and having multiple servers can help with streaming to multiple devices simultaneously. Additionally, Plex provides options for secure remote access from outside your home network so that you can stream from anywhere in the world.

Troubleshooting Plex Not Finding Server

If Plex isn’t finding your server, it could be due to a few different factors. Firstly, make sure that you are running the latest version of the Plex Media Server. You can check support.plex.tv for the latest version. Next, make sure that you have logged into the Plex Media Server with your Plex account. Finally, if you are running the server on a home network, ensure that both devices are connected to the same network and double-check any firewall settings which could be blocking access. If all else fails, try restarting your router or rebooting both devices to reset their connection and see if this resolves the issue.

Cost of Running a Plex Server

Running a Plex server can be done at no cost, or with a subscription to Plex Pass. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription, you can use the free version of Plex. This version offers access to all of your media content, streaming from one device to another, and basic playback features. With a subscription to Plex Pass, you get access to additional features like offline library viewing, live TV DVR support, and more. For $4.99 per month, $39.99 per year, or $119.99 for a lifetime subscription you can get all the benefits of Plex Pass.

In addition to the cost of the software itself, running a Plex server requires an internet connection and either an always-on computer or a network storage device (like a NAS) that will host your media library. Depending on your setup and requirements for streaming speed and capacity this may require an upgrade in your internet plan or hardware device as well as additional costs for storage space.

Maximum Number of Connections Supported by Plex

Plex is able to handle up to 8 simultaneous streaming connections from different devices within a single household. This means that at any given time, up to 8 people can be streaming content from your Plex Media Server.
Beyond this, if you have a Plex Pass subscription, you can also share your server with friends and family outside of your household. This will allow them to connect and stream content from your server as well. Depending on the type of subscription you have, they may be able to stream up to 4 simultaneous connections in addition to the 8 allowed within your own household.
If you are using a Plex Home, then up to 15 members can be connected at once. In this case, all 15 members could potentially be streaming content simultaneously. However, please note that the total number of simultaneous streams is ultimately limited by the bandwidth and processing power of your server.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up a Plex Media Server is a straightforward process that can be completed in a matter of minutes. After signing in to the Plex Media Server using your Plex account, you can begin adding and managing your media files by claiming the server and giving it a friendly name. With this done, you’ll be able to access your media from any connected device. With the power of Plex at your fingertips, you can now enjoy all of your favorite movies, TV shows, music, and more with ease!

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James Walker

James Walker has a deep passion for technology and is our in-house enthusiastic editor. He graduated from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and loves to test the latest gadgets and play with older software (something we’re still trying to figure out about himself). Hailing from Iowa, United States, James loves cats and is an avid hiker in his free time.