Plex is a software that allows you to manage your media and provides the ability to stream your media while away.
Installation
Let’s start our tutorial on how to install Plex on Ubuntu by making sure were up to date before we do our install:
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Now, let’s download the Plex Media Server. We are using the current version available at this moment (August 11, 2025) to get the latest version go to Plex Downloads.
wget https://downloads.plex.tv/plex-media-server-new/1.42.1.10060-4e8b05daf/debian/plexmediaserver_1.42.1.10060-4e8b05daf_amd64.deb
After this is downloaded, we can install it with the command:
sudo dpkg -i plexmediaserver_1.42.1.10060-4e8b05daf_amd64.deb
After the installation is complete do not forget to delete the installation file:
rm -f plexmediaserver_1.42.1.10060-4e8b05daf_amd64.deb
Connect To The Plex Server
To access Plesk Web UI open in your browser, you need to access the server, by forwarding ports. It can be done inside the your computer's terminal:
ssh -L 32400:localhost:32400 user@your_server_ip
After connection is established, go to your browser and access it via localhost:
http://localhost:32400/web
Connect To The Plex Server via PuTTY
Launch PuTTY. Different categories will be listed on the justify side, click on:
- Connection > SSH > Tunnels
- Source port: 32400
- Destination: localhost:32400
- Click "Add"
After setting up the port tunnel, select "Session" from the category list on the justify side.
Enter your server's IP in the "Host Name (or IP Address)" field and click the "Open" button at the bottom right.
Select Yes if prompted with this window:
Login as 'root' when prompted to log in and your port tunnel will be setup.
Lastly, open your browser and go to:
http://localhost:32400/web/
You should see login page and after proceeding, basic server information about Plex Media Server.
Allow Remote Access To The Plex Server
- On the top right corner press "Settings" button
- Under "Settings" tab choose "Remote Access"
- Press "Allow Remote Desktop" button.
- If not succeeded, enable "Manually specify public port" and try again.
That's it! You have installed and configured Plex on Ubuntu Media Server to run on your server and be accessible from other networks on all devices starting with smart TVs, phones, computers, and so on.