How to Add Audiobooks to Plex Server?

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How to Add Audiobooks to Plex Server: Your Complete Guide

Learn how to add audiobooks to Plex Server and listen to your favorite audiobooks on any device, anywhere! This guide provides a clear, step-by-step process to organize and enjoy your audiobook collection through Plex.

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Why Add Audiobooks to Your Plex Server?

Plex is renowned for its ability to stream movies and TV shows, but its audiobook capabilities often go overlooked. Leveraging Plex for audiobooks offers several compelling advantages. Beyond centralized storage, you gain the ability to stream your audiobooks to any device with the Plex app, including smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs. You can track your listening progress, ensuring you never lose your place, and enjoy automatic syncing across all your devices. Plus, Plex’s metadata handling can help you organize your collection with cover art and author information. No more hunting through disorganized files!

Preparing Your Audiobooks for Plex

Before you can add your audiobooks to Plex, proper preparation is essential. This involves both file formatting and organization.

File Format: While Plex supports various audio formats, MP3 and M4B are the most commonly used and recommended formats for audiobooks. M4B offers the advantage of chapter support, which is crucial for navigating long audiobooks.
Metadata: Ensure your audiobooks have accurate metadata, including the title, author, narrator, and cover art. You can use metadata editing software like Mp3tag to add or correct this information. Accurate metadata allows Plex to properly identify and organize your audiobooks.
Folder Structure: Plex relies on a well-structured folder system to correctly identify your audiobooks. The recommended folder structure is: Audiobooks > Author Name > Book Title. Each audiobook should reside in its own folder. For example:

Audiobooks
├── J.R.R. Tolkien
│   └── The Hobbit
│       ├── Part 1.mp3
│       ├── Part 2.mp3
│       └── cover.jpg
└── Neil Gaiman
    └── Neverwhere
        ├── Chapter 1.mp3
        ├── Chapter 2.mp3
        └── cover.jpg

The Step-by-Step Process: Adding Audiobooks to Plex

Now that your audiobooks are properly prepared, here’s how to add audiobooks to Plex Server:

Create an Audiobook Library: Open your Plex Media Server in a web browser. Click the “+” button in the left sidebar to “Add Library”.
Select Library Type: Choose “Music” as the library type. While Plex doesn’t have a dedicated “Audiobooks” library type, the Music library is the best option for audiobooks because it manages metadata effectively.
Name Your Library: Give your library a descriptive name, such as “Audiobooks”.
Add Folder: Click “Browse for Media Folder” and navigate to the directory where your audiobook folders are located. Select the parent “Audiobooks” folder.
Advanced Settings (Important): This is crucial for optimal audiobook performance.
- Set the Agent to “Plex Music”.
- Set “Scanner” to “Plex Music Scanner”.
- Under “Advanced”, set “Prefer local metadata” to “Enabled.”
- Also under “Advanced”, disable “Store track progress”. This prevents individual tracks from being marked as played before you’ve listened to the whole book.
Add Library: Click “Add Library” to finalize the setup.

Plex will then scan your audiobook folders and attempt to match them with metadata from online sources. However, because you enabled “Prefer local metadata,” Plex will prioritize the metadata you’ve already embedded in your files.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful preparation, you might encounter issues. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

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Incorrect Metadata: If Plex pulls incorrect metadata, you can manually edit it within Plex. Select the audiobook, click the “…” menu, and choose “Edit”. Make sure the “Prefer local metadata” setting is enabled in the library’s advanced settings, as described in Step 5 above.
Audiobooks Not Appearing: Double-check your folder structure and file names. Ensure they adhere to the recommended format. Also, verify that your audiobook folder is included in the library’s “Add Folder” settings. Force Plex to rescan the library by selecting “Scan Library Files” from the library’s “…” menu.
Chapters Not Working: Ensure your audiobooks are in M4B format and that the chapter markers are properly embedded within the files. You can use software like Chapter and Verse to add or edit chapter markers.
Duplicate Audiobooks: This can happen if you have multiple copies of the same audiobook in different locations. Ensure you only have one copy in your library folder.
Playback Issues: If you experience playback issues, try converting your audiobooks to MP3 format. Also, ensure your Plex Media Server is up to date.

Alternative Approaches: Using Plexamp

While the standard Plex Music library works for audiobooks, the Plexamp app, designed for music, offers some additional audiobook-friendly features. Plexamp provides a dedicated audiobook playback mode, allowing you to resume listening where you left off automatically. Consider using Plexamp if you primarily listen to audiobooks on mobile devices or desktop computers. The setup process for Plexamp is the same – point the app to your existing Music library containing your audiobooks.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a dedicated audiobook library in Plex?

No, Plex does not have a specific “Audiobooks” library type. The “Music” library is the recommended option due to its metadata management capabilities. Using the “Music” library allows Plex to handle author, title, and cover art effectively.

What is the best audio format for audiobooks in Plex?

MP3 and M4B are the preferred formats. M4B offers the advantage of chapter support, allowing for easier navigation within the audiobook. While MP3 is widely compatible, it lacks built-in chapter support.

How important is metadata for audiobooks in Plex?

Metadata is extremely important. Accurate metadata ensures that Plex correctly identifies and organizes your audiobooks. This includes the title, author, narrator, and cover art. Use metadata editing software to correct any inaccuracies.

Why are my audiobooks showing up as music albums in Plex?

This is because you’re using the “Music” library type. While unavoidable, ensuring accurate metadata helps differentiate your audiobooks from music albums. Focus on correct author and title information.

How do I ensure that my audiobooks resume correctly in Plex?

Enable “Store track progress” to prevent tracks from being marked as played before the entire book is finished. This setting is found in the advanced settings of your Music library.

Can I listen to my audiobooks offline with Plex?

Yes, you can download audiobooks to your devices for offline listening. This requires a Plex Pass subscription. Once downloaded, you can access your audiobooks even without an internet connection.

What is the recommended folder structure for audiobooks in Plex?

The recommended structure is: Audiobooks > Author Name > Book Title. Each audiobook should reside in its own folder. This structure helps Plex accurately identify and organize your audiobooks.

Will Plex automatically download cover art for my audiobooks?

Plex may attempt to download cover art, but it’s best to embed the cover art directly into your audio files. This ensures that the correct cover art is displayed, regardless of Plex’s online search results.

How do I handle multi-part audiobooks in Plex?

For multi-part audiobooks, ensure that each part is named sequentially (e.g., “Part 1,” “Part 2”). Place all parts within the same folder. Plex will then automatically group them together as a single audiobook.

Can I share my audiobook library with friends and family?

Yes, you can share your audiobook library with other Plex users, just like you would share your movie and TV show libraries. This allows them to access your audiobook collection on their own devices.

What is Plexamp, and how does it benefit audiobook listeners?

Plexamp is a dedicated music player from Plex. It offers enhanced audiobook playback features, including automatic resume and a dedicated audiobook mode. Consider using Plexamp for a better audiobook listening experience.

What are the limitations of using Plex for audiobooks?

The lack of a dedicated “Audiobooks” library type is a limitation. Also, Plex’s metadata matching for audiobooks can be less accurate than for movies or TV shows. Proper file preparation and metadata management are therefore essential.