Run Plex Media Server as a Windows Service with FireDaemon Pro

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What is Plex Media Server?

Plex Media Server is a media server and media organiser. Plex Media Server can be run as a Windows service using FireDaemon Pro. FireDaemon Pro allows you to start Plex Media Server when your computer boots prior to login and optionally start multiple instances of Plex Media Server. This guide will show you how to set it up. You can also use FireDaemon Fusion to manage FireDaemon Pro and other Windows services via your web browser.


Setting up Plex Media Server as a Windows Service with FireDaemon Pro

Step 1. Download and Install Plex Media Server

Download and install the 64-bit version of Plex Media Server. Plex Media Server installs into C:\Program Files\Plex\Plex Media Server. Once installed run the Plex Media Server. Your default browser will open at the URL http://127.0.0.1:32400/web/index.html. Once logged in complete the Plex Media Server Setup.


Step 2. Uncheck "Start Plex Media Server at Login", Exit out of Plex Media Server

Plex Media Server will now be running in your Task Tray. You now must uncheck "Start Plex Media Server at Login". To do that, right-click on the Plex Media Server icon in the Task Tray and uncheck "Start Plex Media Server at Login".


Then per the screenshot above, right-click on the Plex Media Server icon in the task tray and choose "Exit" to shut the Plex Media Server down.



Step 3. Download and install FireDaemon Pro

Download and install the 64-bit version of FireDaemon Pro into C:\Program Files\FireDaemon.


Step 4. Start FireDaemon Pro and configure the Plex Media Server Service

Start the FireDaemon Pro GUI via the icon on your desktop. In the FireDaemon Pro GUI click the "+" symbol or type Ctrl+N to create a new FireDaemon Pro service. Then per the screenshot below:

  • Enter the Short Name (e.g. Plex Media Server)
  • Enter the Display Name (e.g. Plex Media Server)
  • Enter the Program full path and name to the Plex Media Server (e.g. C:\Program Files\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex Media Server.exe)
  • Enter the Working Directory full path to the Plex Media Server (e.g. C:\Program Files\Plex\Plex Media Server)


Plex Media Server FireDaemon Pro New Service Definition configuration


Step 5. Install the FireDaemon Pro Plex Media Server Service

Next, click the "tick" per the screenshots below to install Plex Media Server.


Click the "Tick" to install Plex Media Server as a Windows service running under FireDaemon Pro control


You will now see the Plex Media Server running under FireDaemon Pro control.


Plex Media Server running as a FireDaemon Pro Windows service


Step 6. Open Plex Media Server In Your Browser

Now point your favourite browser at http://127.0.0.1:32400/web/index.html and voila (!), Plex Media Server is now running in the background, as a Windows service with FireDaemon Pro.


Plex Media Server Home screen


Updating Plex Media Service

After you have followed the setup guide above and you have Plex Media Server successfully running as a FireDaemon Pro service, you may need to update Plex Media Server from time to time. To do this:


  1. Stop the FireDaemon Pro Plex Media Server service via the FireDaemon Pro GUI
  2. Run Plex Media Server manually
  3. From the Task Tray Plex Media Player icon, right-click then choose "Check for Updates" or "Update Libraries"
  4. Once the update is complete, exit out of the Plex Media Server running in the Task Tray
  5. Start the Plex Media Server FireDaemon Pro service again.