How to Install Plex Media Server on Ubuntu 20.04

Plex turns your Ubuntu machine into a powerful media hub. Whether you’re managing a vast movie collection or streaming music to your phone, Plex makes it easy. In this guide, you’ll learn how to install Plex Media Server on Ubuntu 20.04 step by step—no fluff, just the essentials.

What You Need

Before we begin, make sure you have:

• An Ubuntu 20.04 machine (desktop or server)
• A user account with sudo privileges
• Internet access
• Some media files to serve (optional but ideal)

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Step 1: Update Your System

First things first—update your system to make sure everything’s current:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Download the Plex Media Server Package

Plex isn’t in the default Ubuntu repositories, so you need to download the .deb package directly from the official Plex website:

wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.40.2.8395-07dccc5f6/debian/plexmediaserver_1.40.2.8395-07dccc5f6_amd64.deb

⚠️ Note: The version number might change. Always grab the latest version from https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads.

Step 3: Install the Package

Now, install the downloaded package using dpkg:

sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_*.deb

If you see any dependency errors, fix them with:

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Step 4: Enable and Start the Plex Service

Plex runs as a systemd service. You can start and enable it with:

sudo systemctl enable plexmediaserver.service
sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver.service

Check its status:

sudo systemctl status plexmediaserver.service

If it says “active (running),” you’re good to go.

Step 5: Configure Your Firewall (If Applicable)

If UFW is enabled, open port 32400 (the default for Plex):

sudo ufw allow 32400/tcp

Step 6: Access Plex Web Interface

Now fire up your browser and go to:

http://YOUR_SERVER_IP:32400/web

Log in or sign up with your Plex account. Follow the setup wizard to add libraries, choose folders, and organize your content.

Optional: Add Media Directories

By default, Plex runs under the plex user. Make sure your media directories are readable by this user:

sudo chown -R plex:plex /path/to/your/media

Or add the Plex user to a group that owns the media.

Final Thoughts

Plex on Ubuntu 20.04 is a rock-solid setup for anyone who wants full control over their media library. You don’t need to be a Linux expert to get it running—just follow these steps, and you’re in business.

Got questions or want help configuring remote access, transcoding, or mobile streaming? Drop a comment below—I’ll help you out.