purge plexmediserver from system linux command line

Guri Bee

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18-10-2024

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Purging Plex Media Server: A Comprehensive Guide for Linux Users

Plex Media Server is a powerful tool for organizing and streaming your media library, but sometimes you might find yourself needing to remove it from your system. This can be due to various reasons, including switching to a different media server, resolving issues, or simply cleaning up your system.

This article will guide you through the process of completely removing Plex Media Server from your Linux system using the command line. We'll be leveraging insights and best practices from the GitHub community, ensuring a clean and efficient removal process.

Important Note: This guide assumes you are comfortable working with the command line. If you are unsure, consider seeking assistance from a Linux expert or using a GUI-based method.

Understanding the Process

Before we dive into the commands, it's crucial to understand what "purging" Plex Media Server entails:

1. Removing the application files: This includes the Plex Media Server binary, configuration files, and any associated data folders.
2. Uninstalling the packages: This involves removing the Plex Media Server packages installed on your system, which might include dependencies.
3. Cleaning up any leftover remnants: This ensures no traces of Plex Media Server remain on your system, preventing potential conflicts or issues in the future.

The Command Line Approach

Let's break down the process using a step-by-step approach with command line instructions:

1. Stop Plex Media Server:

sudo systemctl stop plexmediaserver

This command ensures Plex Media Server is not running while you are removing its files.

2. Remove Plex Media Server directories:

sudo rm -rf /var/lib/plexmediaserver
sudo rm -rf /etc/plexmediaserver

These commands remove the main Plex Media Server data directory and its configuration files. You may need to adjust the directories based on your installation location.

3. Uninstall the Plex Media Server packages:

sudo apt-get remove --purge plexmediaserver

This command uses the apt-get package manager (common on Debian-based distributions) to remove the Plex Media Server package and its dependencies. If you are using a different package manager, refer to its documentation for the appropriate commands.

4. Check for orphaned files:

sudo find / -type f -name '*plex*' -print0 | xargs -0 rm -f

This command searches your entire system for any remaining files related to Plex Media Server and removes them. While not absolutely necessary, it's a good practice for a clean and complete removal.

Important: This command should be used with caution as it could potentially remove files that are not directly related to Plex Media Server. Ensure you have a backup of your system before running this command.

5. Clean up package caches:

sudo apt-get autoremove
sudo apt-get clean

These commands remove any unused or orphaned packages and clean up the package cache, ensuring your system remains efficient.

Post-Purge Verification

After following the above steps, it's crucial to verify that Plex Media Server has been completely removed. Here are some ways to do so:

• Check for remaining files: Use the command find / -type f -name '*plex*' -print0 to search for any remaining files.
• Try starting Plex Media Server: Attempt to start Plex Media Server using sudo systemctl start plexmediaserver. If the service doesn't start, it indicates the removal was successful.

Final Thoughts

Purging Plex Media Server from your Linux system can be a simple process if you follow these instructions. Remember to be careful when using the command line and always have a backup of your system before making significant changes.

This article incorporates insights from the GitHub community, such as the use of --purge flag for the apt-get remove command and the find command for identifying orphaned files. These practices ensure a thorough removal process and contribute to a cleaner system environment.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove Plex Media Server and its remnants from your Linux system, paving the way for a fresh start or the installation of new software.