Experiencing high CPU usage from Plex Media Scanner can be frustrating, affecting the performance of your media server and overall system speed.
High CPU usage by Plex Media Scanner can slow down your server, causing performance issues. This typically occurs due to extensive scanning or large media libraries. To resolve, optimize settings, reduce scan frequency, and ensure your hardware meets Plex’s requirements.
This guide will explore common reasons behind high CPU usage, offer practical optimization tips, and provide troubleshooting steps to help you manage and reduce the impact of Plex Media Scanner on your CPU.
Understanding and Managing Plex Media Scanner High CPU Usage
Plex Media Scanner is crucial for organizing and indexing media files on your Plex server. However, sometimes, it consumes excessive CPU resources, impacting your system’s performance.
This guide will help you understand the causes and provide solutions to optimize Plex, ensuring smooth and efficient media streaming.
1. What Causes Plex Media Scanner High CPU Usage?
A. Large Media Libraries
A big media library requires more CPU power to scan, organize, and update metadata, which can cause high CPU usage, especially during initial scans or frequent library updates.
B. Background Tasks
Automatic tasks like metadata refreshes and preview thumbnail generation can run in the background, consuming CPU resources and leading to higher usage, especially when dealing with more extensive media collections.
C. Outdated Hardware
Older or underpowered hardware may struggle to keep up with Plex’s scanning processes, causing the Plex Media Scanner to overuse CPU resources, leading to slow performance and potential server issues.
D. Frequent Scans
Running Plex Media Scanner too often, especially with large libraries, can cause the CPU to work constantly, leading to high usage. Reducing scan frequency effectively lowers the CPU load.
2. Optimizing Plex Media Scanner for Better Performance

You don’t have to suffer from high CPU usage! Optimizing Plex settings and making a few adjustments can significantly improve performance.
A. Limiting Concurrent Scans
Running too many simultaneous scans can overwhelm your CPU. To limit this:
- Go to the Plex server dashboard.
- Navigate to Settings > Library.
- Adjust the Concurrent Scans option to a lower number.
This reduces the load on your CPU, making scanning more efficient.
B. Adjusting Scheduled Tasks
Plex allows you to schedule tasks like refreshing metadata or analyzing media files. By optimizing these schedules, you can lower CPU usage during peak times:
- Open the Plex server dashboard.
- Go to Settings > Scheduled Tasks.
- Set tasks to run during off-peak hours.
This simple adjustment helps distribute CPU load and keeps performance smooth when needed.
C. Utilizing Hardware Acceleration
Take advantage of hardware acceleration to offload some tasks from the CPU:
- Go to Settings > Transcoder.
- Enable Hardware Acceleration (if your hardware supports it).
Hardware acceleration will reduce CPU strain, improving overall server performance.
Also Read: Inventory Agent High CPU: Understanding Causes and Solutions
D. Regular Server Maintenance
Routine maintenance can prevent performance issues:
- Update Plex: Always use the latest version to benefit from performance enhancements.
- Clean Your Library: Remove duplicates or corrupted files to make scanning faster.
- Monitor Your Hardware: Ensure your system meets Plex’s recommended requirements.
With regular maintenance, you’ll keep Plex running efficiently and prevent unnecessary CPU spikes.
3. Troubleshooting Plex Media Scanner High CPU Usage
If optimizing your settings doesn’t resolve the issue, you may need to troubleshoot further.
A. Analyzing Media Files
Some media files may cause Plex to use more CPU than necessary. To pinpoint these files:
- Go to the Plex server dashboard.
- Open your library, select a problematic file, and choose Analyze.
If a specific file causes high CPU usage, consider re-encoding or removing it to reduce the load.
B. Adjusting Transcoding Options
Transcoding can be resource-intensive. Lowering transcoding quality may reduce CPU strain:
- Go to Settings > Transcoder.
- Set the Transcoder Quality to a lower level.
This helps minimize the CPU load, especially during media scanning.
C. Seeking Professional Support
If you’ve tried all the solutions and are still experiencing high CPU usage, it might be time to seek professional help. Reach out to the Plex community or contact Plex support for personalized assistance.
Also Read: Corespotlightd High CPU – Steps to Improve Performance!
4. Summary
Managing high CPU usage in Plex Media Scanner is achievable through optimizations like limiting scans, scheduling tasks during off-peak times, enabling hardware acceleration, and maintaining your server.
Troubleshooting further with file analysis and transcoding adjustments can also help alleviate strain. These steps allow you to enjoy seamless streaming and a well-performing Plex server.
Possible Causes

1. Large Media Libraries
When Plex scans an extensive media library, it consumes significant CPU resources, especially for metadata processing and organizing the files.
2. Automatic Background Tasks
Tasks like preview generation and metadata refresh consume CPU power, especially when handling numerous media files.
3. Old or Inadequate Hardware
Outdated processors or limited RAM can cause Plex to overuse CPU resources during scanning and media analysis.
4. High Transcoding Demands
If Plex’s transcoding processes are not optimized, they may lead to excessive CPU usage during media playback or scanning.
5. Frequent Media Scans
Frequent or continuous media scanning can keep your CPU active, increasing usage.
Also Read: Windows XP CPU Support List – Everything You Need to Know!
Solutions
1. Limit Concurrent Scans
Reduce the number of simultaneous scans to lower CPU strain, especially when handling large libraries or complex files.
2. Adjust Scheduled Tasks
Schedule metadata refreshes and other CPU-heavy tasks during off-peak hours to improve performance.
3. Enable Hardware Acceleration
Utilize Plex’s hardware acceleration feature to offload CPU-intensive tasks to compatible hardware components.
4. Upgrade Hardware
If your server struggles, upgrading the CPU or adding more RAM can significantly reduce high CPU usage.
5. Optimize Media Files
Ensure your media files are properly organized and encoded for efficient scanning, helping to reduce Plex’s processing load.
Plex media scanner high CPU Windows 11
If the Plex Media Scanner uses too much CPU on Windows 11, try updating Plex, limiting scans, or adjusting settings to reduce CPU load. Ensure your system meets Plex’s hardware requirements for smoother performance.
Plex transcoding CPU chart
Plex transcoding can be CPU-intensive. Check the CPU chart in Plex settings to see how much CPU is used during transcoding. Lowering quality settings or enabling hardware acceleration can help manage CPU usage.
Synology Plex high CPU usage
If Plex on Synology NAS uses too much CPU, check for firmware updates, optimize media settings, and limit background tasks. Ensuring your NAS has adequate hardware resources can also help reduce high CPU usage.
See Also: Photolibraryd High CPU – Common Problems And Solutions!
Plex stop scanning
To stop Plex from scanning your media library, open the Plex server settings, go to “Scheduled Tasks,” and pause or stop the library scan. This helps reduce CPU usage if scanning is causing performance issues.
Plex Media Fingerprinter
Plex Media Fingerprinter analyzes media files to identify them accurately. If it’s using too much CPU, check for updates, optimize settings, or reduce scanning frequency to improve performance and reduce CPU load.
Plex generating loudness Data

When Plex generates loudness data for media files, it can use a lot of CPU. To reduce this, adjust the loudness settings or schedule this task during off-peak hours to avoid high CPU usage.
Plex limit CPU usage
To limit Plex’s CPU usage, go to Plex settings, adjust transcoding quality, and schedule scans during less busy times. Upgrading hardware or using hardware acceleration can also help manage CPU load.
“Plex Media Scanner.exe” seems to be taking over
If “Plex Media Scanner.exe” is consuming too much CPU, try reducing the number of concurrent scans, updating Plex, or adjusting scanning settings to better manage CPU usage.
See Also: Print Filter Pipeline Host High CPU – Quick Solution In 2024
Excessive CPU use from Plex scan
Excessive CPU use during Plex scans can be managed by limiting scan frequency, optimizing media file organization, and updating Plex software. Reducing the number of concurrent scans can also help.
Scanning for Credits Superheats my CPU
If scanning for credits overheats your CPU, try lowering scan settings, updating Plex, or running scans during cooler times. Adjusting scan frequency can help manage CPU temperature.
PLEX causing high CPU usage (70 – 80%) when idle
If Plex uses 70-80% CPU even when idle, check for background tasks or processes, update Plex, and optimize settings to reduce unnecessary CPU consumption.
Plex using constant 50% of processor
If Plex is constantly using 50% of your CPU, consider limiting concurrent scans, adjusting transcoding settings, or checking for updates to optimize performance and reduce CPU usage.
Plex media scan running too hot
If Plex media scan makes your CPU overheat, try reducing the scan frequency or running it during cooler times. Ensure your system’s cooling is adequate, and check for software updates to improve performance.
Very hight CPU usage from Plex
Update Plex, optimize settings, reduce concurrent tasks, and upgrade hardware if needed to manage high CPU usage from Plex. Also, check for background processes that might be using CPU resources.
TrueNAS Scale Plex constant CPU usage
If Plex on TrueNAS Scale constantly uses CPU, check for updates, optimize settings, and limit scanning or transcoding tasks. Ensuring your hardware meets Plex’s requirements can also help reduce CPU usage.
Why is Plex using lots of CPU when nothing is playing?
Plex may still use the CPU for background tasks like metadata updates or scanning. To reduce CPU usage, check settings for unnecessary tasks, update Plex, and schedule scans during off-peak hours.
Why is the CPU at 100% on my raspberry pi with docker and plex?
If your Raspberry Pi’s CPU hits 100% with Docker and Plex, try lowering Plex’s quality settings, limiting Docker containers, or upgrading to a more robust model to handle the load better.
Read More: Fatal Glibc Error: CPU Does Not Support X86-64-V2 – Guide!
Plex Media Server High CPU Usage (90-100% total CPU usage), unsure why

High CPU usage in Plex Media Server might be due to inefficient settings, frequent scans, or outdated software. To reduce overall CPU usage, check for updates, optimize settings, and limit concurrent tasks.
Why is Plex Media Scanner suddenly eating up 70-80% of my CPU?
If Plex Media Scanner suddenly uses 70-80% of your CPU, it might be due to large scans or metadata updates. To manage CPU usage better, try limiting scan frequency, updating Plex, and optimizing settings.
FAQs
1. Why Is Plex Using So Much CPU?
Plex uses a lot of CPU for tasks like scanning media and transcoding files. Check settings, reduce scanning frequency, and ensure your hardware meets Plex’s requirements to manage CPU usage better.
2. What Does Plex Media Scanner Do?
Plex Media Scanner organizes and indexes your media files so they are easy to access and play. It reads metadata, updates libraries, and prepares content for smooth playback.
3. What Is Run Scanner Tasks at a Lower Priority Plex?
Running scanner tasks at a lower priority in Plex means these tasks use less CPU power, allowing other essential tasks to run smoothly. This helps manage CPU usage better.
4. What CPU Cores Do I Need for Plex?
A multi-core CPU is recommended for optimal Plex performance. Depending on your media library size, a quad-core processor is generally sufficient for smooth media streaming and transcoding tasks.
5. How Do I Stop CPU from Using High Usage?
Optimize Plex settings, limit concurrent scans, update software, and ensure your hardware meets Plex’s requirements to reduce high CPU usage. Regular maintenance and efficient settings can also help manage CPU load.
6. How Do I Reduce CPU Core Usage?
Lowering the quality of transcoding settings, limiting the number of concurrent tasks, and optimizing your media library can reduce CPU core usage. Efficient settings and regular updates can also help.
7. Is Plex Scan Deprecated?
No, Plex Scan is not deprecated. It remains an essential feature for organizing and indexing media files, and regular updates ensure it continues to function effectively with your Plex server.
8. How Often Does Plex Scan?
Plex scans your media library periodically, usually every few hours or based on your settings. You can adjust the scanning frequency in Plex’s settings to fit your needs.
9. Does Plex Scan Your Files?
Yes, Plex scans your files to gather metadata and organize them into a library. This process helps Plex display your media correctly and allows easier browsing and playback.
10. Plex Media Scanner Using 100% CPU (1 Core) for Hours, Scheduled Tasks Set to 11pm–8am
If Plex Media Scanner uses 100% CPU on one core for hours, even with scheduled tasks, try reducing scan frequency, adjusting settings, or upgrading hardware to improve performance.
Conclusion
Managing Plex Media Scanner’s high CPU usage involves optimizing settings, reducing scan frequency, and ensuring hardware compatibility. Regular maintenance and troubleshooting can help mitigate performance issues, leading to smoother streaming and more efficient server operation.