Plex Media Scanner is a popular media server software that allows you to stream your media content across various devices. However, some users have reported encountering the “Plex Media Scanner has stopped working” error on their Windows 10 computers. This error can be frustrating, as it prevents you from using the Plex Media Scanner software. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes of this error and provide solutions to fix it.
What Causes “Plex Media Scanner Has Stopped Working” Error on Windows 10?
There are several reasons why you might encounter the “Plex Media Scanner has stopped working” error on your Windows 10 computer. Some of the common causes include:
Outdated or Corrupted Plex Media Server: If your Plex Media Server is outdated or corrupted, it can cause the media scanner to stop working. You can check for updates or reinstall the Plex Media Server to fix this issue.
Antivirus or Firewall Blocking Plex: Your antivirus or firewall software might be blocking the Plex Media Scanner from working correctly. You can disable your antivirus or firewall temporarily to see if it resolves the issue.
Conflicting Software: Other software or programs installed on your computer might conflict with the Plex Media Scanner, causing it to stop working. You can try to disable or uninstall any recently installed software to see if it fixes the issue.
Hardware Issues: If your computer has hardware issues, such as a failing hard drive or insufficient RAM, it can cause the Plex Media Scanner to stop working. You can check your computer’s hardware to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements for running the Plex Media Server.
How to Fix “Plex Media Scanner Has Stopped Working” Error on Windows 10
Here are some solutions to fix the “Plex Media Scanner has stopped working” error on your Windows 10 computer:
Solution 1: Update or Reinstall Plex Media Server
The first thing you can do to fix this error is to update or reinstall the Plex Media Server. To update the Plex Media Server, follow these steps:
Open the Plex Media Server.
Click on the Settings icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Select “Server” from the left-side menu.
Click on “General” tab.
Click on “Check for Updates” button.
If there is an update available, click on the “Download” button to install it.
If updating the Plex Media Server doesn’t fix the issue, you can try reinstalling it. To reinstall the Plex Media Server, follow these steps:
Uninstall the current version of the Plex Media Server from your computer.
Download the latest version of the Plex Media Server from the official website.
Install the new version of the Plex Media Server on your computer.
Solution 2: Disable Antivirus or Firewall
If your antivirus or firewall software is blocking the Plex Media Scanner from working, you can try disabling it temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. Here’s how to disable your antivirus or firewall software:
Click on the Start button and type “Windows Security” in the search bar.
Click on “Windows Security” from the search results.
Click on “Virus & threat protection”.
Click on “Manage settings” under the “Virus & threat protection settings” section.
Toggle off the switch under the “Real-time protection” section.
Try using the Plex Media Scanner again to see if it works.
Note: Don’t forget to turn your antivirus or firewall back on once you have finished using the Plex Media Scanner.
Solution 3: Disable Conflicting Software
If you have recently installed any software
that might be conflicting with the Plex Media Scanner, you can try disabling or uninstalling it. Here’s how to disable software that might be causing the issue:
Click on the Start button and type “Control Panel” in the search bar.
Click on “Control Panel” from the search results.
Click on “Programs” and then click on “Programs and Features”.
Locate the recently installed software that might be causing the issue.
Click on the software and then click on “Uninstall”.
Follow the on-screen instructions to uninstall the software.
Try using the Plex Media Scanner again to see if it works.
Solution 4: Check Hardware Requirements
If your computer does not meet the minimum hardware requirements for running the Plex Media Server, it can cause the media scanner to stop working. Here are the minimum requirements for running the Plex Media Server:
Processor: Intel x86-compatible CPU with SSE2 support.
Memory: 2GB of RAM or more.
Storage: At least 4GB of free storage space.
Network: A wired or wireless network with a minimum speed of 2Mbps.
If your computer does not meet these requirements, you might need to upgrade your hardware or use a different computer to run the Plex Media Server.
Conclusion
The “Plex Media Scanner has stopped working” error on Windows 10 can be frustrating, but there are several solutions that you can try to fix the issue. Updating or reinstalling the Plex Media Server, disabling antivirus or firewall software, disabling conflicting software, and checking hardware requirements are some of the solutions that you can try. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and use the Plex Media Scanner software without any problems.