guide · #media · 20 min

Set Up Plex on Synology NAS with Docker

Cech Tech Reviews

Run Plex Media Server in Docker on your Synology NAS using Container Manager. Your media streams 24/7 without keeping a computer on.

1. 1

   Prerequisites

   You need a Synology NAS that supports Docker (most Plus models: DS220+, DS420+, DS723+, DS920+, DS1522+, etc.).

   Make sure:
   - DSM 7.2 or later is installed
   - Container Manager is installed from Package Center (it replaced the old "Docker" package)
   - You have a shared folder for your media (e.g., /volume1/media)

2. 2

   Create folders for Plex

   In File Station, create these folders:

   /volume1/docker/plex/config - Plex configuration and database
   /volume1/media/movies - Your movie files
   /volume1/media/tv - Your TV show files
   /volume1/media/music - Your music files

   The config folder stores Plex metadata, thumbnails, and settings. Keep it separate from your media.

3. 3

   Set up Plex in Container Manager

   Open Container Manager > Registry > Search for "plexinc/pms-docker" and download the latest tag.

   Then go to Container > Create:
   - Image: plexinc/pms-docker:latest
   - Container name: plex
   - Enable auto-restart
   - Network: Use "host" network mode (required for Plex discovery)

   Environment variables:
   - TZ=America/Chicago  # Change to your timezone (e.g., America/New_York, Europe/London, Asia/Tokyo)
   - PLEX_CLAIM=claim-xxxx (get your claim token from plex.tv/claim, valid for 4 minutes)

   Volume mappings:
   - /volume1/docker/plex/config -> /config
   - /volume1/media/movies -> /movies
   - /volume1/media/tv -> /tv
   - /volume1/media/music -> /music

4. 4

   Alternative: Use Docker Compose

   If you prefer docker-compose, SSH into your Synology and create /volume1/docker/plex/docker-compose.yml:

   version: "3"
   services:
     plex:
       image: plexinc/pms-docker:latest
       container_name: plex
       restart: unless-stopped
       network_mode: host
       environment:
         - TZ=America/Chicago  # Change to your timezone
         - PLEX_CLAIM=claim-xxxx
       volumes:
         - /volume1/docker/plex/config:/config
         - /volume1/media/movies:/movies
         - /volume1/media/tv:/tv
         - /volume1/media/music:/music

   Run: docker-compose up -d

5. 5

   Access and configure Plex

   Open http://your-synology-ip:32400/web in your browser.

   Sign in with your Plex account and run through the setup wizard. Add your media libraries:
   - Movies: /movies
   - TV Shows: /tv
   - Music: /music

   Plex will scan and organize everything. Initial scan may take a while depending on library size.

6. 6

   Performance tips for Synology

   - Hardware transcoding: If your Synology has an Intel CPU (DS220+, DS920+, DS1522+), enable hardware transcoding in Settings > Transcoder. This requires Plex Pass (/mo or  lifetime) but dramatically reduces CPU usage.
   - RAM: Plex benefits from RAM. If your NAS supports it, upgrade to 8GB+ for smoother performance with large libraries.
   - SSD cache: If your Synology supports NVMe SSD cache, use it. Plex metadata reads are significantly faster with SSD cache enabled.
   - Network: Use a wired ethernet connection, not Wi-Fi, for your NAS. Streaming 4K requires consistent bandwidth.