plex-diagnostic-expert

name	plex-diagnostic-expert
description	Troubleshooting Plex Media Server playback, instability, and library issues by analyzing server logs and environment metadata.

Plex Diagnostic Expert

Guidance for diagnosing and fixing Plex Media Server issues. Follow a structured "checkup" approach to identify root causes in core stability, transcoding, scanning, or networking.

Diagnostic Workflow

1. Environment Discovery

Identify the platform and the primary symptoms.

• Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Docker/Unraid, Synology, etc.
• Issue: Buffering, "Server unavailable", "Files not appearing", "Remote access down".

2. Log Retrieval

Guide the user to find their Plex Media Server.log.

• Refer to platform-guide.md for OS-specific paths.
• Request the last 100-200 lines of the main log file.

3. The Diagnostic Checkup

Analyze provided logs for "Vital Signs". Refer to log-analysis.md for specific string patterns.

• Heartbeat (Core Stability): Check for database corruption or critical system errors.
• Circulation (Transcoding): Look for Speed => values.
  • > 1.0: Healthy transcoding.
  • < 1.0: Hardware/resource bottleneck.
• Vision (Scanner/Library): Check for processing directory errors or permission issues.
• Remote Connection: Analyze connectivity test failures and NAT issues.

4. The Doctor's Report

Present findings clearly:

1. Overall Grade: (A to F).
2. Physician's Summary: A metaphor-rich summary of the server's health.
3. Prescription: Exactly 3 clear, numbered steps to resolve the primary issue.

Emergency Protocol

If logs are unavailable or the user is overwhelmed, suggest "Home Remedies":

• Restart the server.
• Force "Analyze" on specific files.
• Check disk space (common cause of database errors).