Plex
Plex is a power media player with support across a large range of platforms
How do I access Plex?
Plex will be available from your dashboard (https://<username>.elfhosted.com>), or directly, at https://<username>-plex.elfhosted.com
How do I use it?
Use ElfBot to apply your plex claim, and reboot. Then access Plex from your dashboard.
You'll be prompted to setup your libraries, etc.
From media players
When you configure the Plex app in your media player, use https://<username>-plex.elfhosted.com as the address (if a port is required, use 443)
Enable Hardware transcoding
Our nodes support Intel QuickSync for Video (QSV). If you're a PlexPass user, you can enable hardware transcoding.
Solutions to common issues
Claiming server / Can't add media libraries
If you find that you can't add media libraries, or even administer your Plex instance, then it probably hasn't been "claimed" yet. Use ElfBot to claim your server using a claim code from https://www.plex.tv/claim/.
To confirm whether your Plex instance has been claimed, use FileBrowser to examine config/plex//Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Preferences.xml. If the server has been claimed, you'll see a key PlexOnlineUsername.
Playback stalls
Plex may be trying to transcode the media, based on a detected incompatibilty with your client/app, and running into CPU limitations. For optimal performance and quality, try to direct-play media where possible. You could also try enabling hardware transcoding (above), which will improve transcoding performance.
The transcoder exited due to an error.
This error will occur if Plex tries to transcode something in an inefficient way. ElfHosted nodes run a "transcode-killer" script which terminates such transcodes for the sake of the resources shared by other users.
Here are the transcodes we'll automatically terminate:
- Transcoding from HEVC to H264
- Transcoding video without using QSV (PlexPass is required for hardware transcoding support)
- Transcoding any 4K content (even with QSV this is very resource-intensive - 4K should only be direct-played)
Database is corrupt
Certain unplanned events (power outages, etc) can result in Plex's database becoming corrupted. Fortunately, Plex makes its own, internal backup of its database at regular intervals, so it's possible to restore from a backed-up version of the database.
Here's the process to restore Plex to a database backup:
- "Pause" Plex, using ElfBot
- In FileBrowser, navigate to
config/plex/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Plug-in Support/Databases - Rename
com.plexapp.plugins.library.dbtocom.plexapp.plugins.library.db-corrupt, and then pick the most recent, dated version ofcom.plexapp.plugins.library.db-<date>, and rename it tocom.plexapp.plugins.library.db.
When Plex starts after the pause, the backup database will be used! 
Remote Access issues
Plex may alert you that it is "Not available outside your network". This is to be expected, given that we're (a) accessing it via a reverse proxy, and (b) using a VPN to avoid Plex's global Hetzner ban.
You'll still be able to access your Plex instance remotely via apps etc, provided that under Settings -> Network -> Custom server access URLs, you see your ElfHosted URL defined (i.e. https://<your username>-plex.elfhosted.com:443).
Note that when you connect to Plex externally, your port will be 443, since your traffic arrives via our reverse proxy.
Unable to save settings
Normally, Plex servers can be remotely administered using https://app.plex.tv - in our case, (maybe because we're using a VPN?), users have had inconsistent results saving server settings changes this way. To make changes to your Plex instance, use the https://<your username>-plex.elfhosted.com interface.
Get Plex token
To integrate Zurg or plex-debrid with Plex, you need to retrieve a plex "authentication token". THis is a fiddly process, but there's a useful guide here.
The easiest way to get the token is to examine the XML of an existing media item in your library - but if you're just getting setup, you don't have anything in your library! We've snuck a small movie into /storage/elfstorage/videos/, so that you can add this as an "Other Media" library in Plex, scan it, and use it to retrieve your token from the XML!
Auto-empty trash
By default Plex is configured to not automatically empty its trash. This default primarily benefits symlink-based, "Infinite Streaming" users, who would loose their entire library of content if their debrid service was disconnected for a period.
Users may opt back into automatically clearing Plex's trash by overriding an environment variable (PLEX_PREFERENCE_7 in our case), using ElfBot. To enable automatic clearing of Plex's trash, use FileBrowser's console, and run elfbot env plex PLEX_PREFERENCE_7=autoEmptyTrash=1
Plex also works with
How do I get support for Plex?
- For general use of Plex, refer to the official site or to one of the links below.
- For specific support re your ElfHosted configuration / account, see the ElfHosted support options!
Plex resources
What users say..
Here's what some of our usersfriends say..
"The Elfhosted product alone is great. The team is super transparent on the issues and resolutions that happen as it grows. Lots of opportunity to self-solve issues, but the support from both mods and darth-penguini is SO quick and proactive. Props to them."
"I don't understand how there aren't tons of elves already. The way this whole thing is setup is great, from getting a free $10 amount of elfbuckz to start, free 7 day trials on most services, the subscription prices of the products are reasonable, to the smoothness of how everything runs. I just dont get it, people choose to pay way more with places that don't provide the same customer service nor have a great community like this one. I recommend elfhosted to everyone.
Pricing update since this review
Our pricing model was updated in July 2024, removing the free $10 ElfBuckz and the 7-day trials, and replacing them with standard pricing tiers and a 14-day refund policy.
"Just wanted to check in here and let @Darth-Penguini and anyone/everyone else know...WOW. I have been struggling with storage for years, maintenance of Docker containers, upkeep, all of it. Elfhosted is so freeing. It's an amazing service that I hope to be a member of for a long, long time!"
"I just have to say, I am an incredibly satisfied customer. I had been collecting my own content for nearly 20 years. Starting off with just a simple external HD before eventually graduating to a seedbox with 100TB of cloud storage attached and fully automated processes with Sonarr and Radarr . However, the time came when the glory days of unlimited Google Drive storage ended. I thought my days of having my full collection at my fingertips via :plex: were behind me, until I found Real-Debrid and ElfHosted.
Now I essentially have the exact same access to content as I had before, but even better. Superior support and community involvement. Content is available almost immediately after being identified. A plethora of tools at my fingertips that give me more control and automation than ever before. Wonderfully well done and impressive! I am looking forward to being a customer for a very long time! Massive kudos to @funkypenguin 🤟
"I would recommend ElfHosted to anyone. It has been great so far and made life a lot easier than running my own setups. If you’re in the fence give them a try and help support this great community."
"thanks for the help and must say this is the best host I every had for my server 🙂 10/10 🙂 All other places I have try have I got a lot buff etc. Your host can even give me full power on a 4K Remux on 200GB big movie file . That's damn awesome 😄"
@tjelite (Discord)
"What an amazing support system these guys have Chris and Layzee i think it was! Both are very patient with me even though I am a newbie at all this. Very thorough and explained everything step by step with me
I couldn’t ask for anything better than the service I have received by these guys! Happy happy client❤️"
"Very happy customer. Great service"
"Very good customer service, frequent updates, and excelent uptime!!!!!"
"I had my own plex-arrs setup on hetzner for years. Yesterday I deleted everything as elfhosted has gone above and beyond it. And it has a fantastic, active community as well! Very friendly, helpful and like-minded folks always willing to help and improve the system. Top notch!"
"Absolutely Amazed with the patience and professionalism of all Elf-Venger Staff including bossman penguin❤️"
"@BSM went above and beyond to make sure I had all the one on one support needed with my sub. Thank you for your patience! Elfhosted continues to be Elftastic !!"
"really enjoying the service from elfhosted. The setup is really easy from the guides on the website. And the help on the discord channel is really quick."
"Support is amazing, and once you find a setup which works best for you it works perfectly, very happy 😊"
"great fast service, resolved my problem and really friendly"
"Great service and sorted out a billing issue super quick and easy."
"Very friendly support, resolved a problem with my account! I also appreciate the community that has been built around the service!"
"excellent customer service and very fast replies"
"Loved the simplicity, experience and support"
"Very friendly help as always, problem solved, one happy elf here!"
"Great Helpful and Fast support. Thanks!"