How to Play AV1 Video with Plex

Before you start

Plex can play AV1 video, but compatibility depends on where the file is opened and what the client device supports. AV1 is a newer video codec that uses efficient encoding to reduce file size at a given bitrate, so more media is appearing in this format. Plex Media Server does not require a special AV1 encoder to handle these files; the server manages playback locally on your network or through a Plex account service. Before playing an AV1 file, check whether your Plex client lists AV1 as a supported direct play format and confirm that the media file itself is properly encoded.

Step-by-step instructions

First, place the AV1 file in a library folder that Plex Media Server scans. Add a folder to an existing movie or other video library, then trigger a library scan from the Plex server interface. If the file does not appear, check the folder permissions and confirm that the file extension matches a format your library accepts.

Next, open the file on a client that supports AV1. On a supported device, Plex can direct play the video without conversion, which keeps the original recording format and frame rate. In the playback settings on the client, choose original or direct play quality if that option is available and you want to avoid transcoding. If the device does not support AV1, Plex may transcode the file to a different codec, often H.264, which can increase CPU or GPU load on the server.

If you need to convert an existing capture source or screen recording before adding it to Plex, choose an AV1 encoding profile that the intended Plex client can decode. Some editors and export tools offer AV1 with settings for bitrate, frame rate, and color depth. Avoid selecting an unusual AV1 profile unless you have verified that Plex can play it, because profile compatibility varies by device.

Check the output

Start playback and verify that the picture and audio stay synchronized and that the frame rate appears stable. In the Plex server dashboard or playback details, check whether the stream is listed as direct play or transcode. Direct play generally means the client accepted the AV1 video without conversion. Transcoding is not a failure by itself, but it may indicate that the selected device does not support AV1 natively.

If the file has been transcoded, the quality you see may be limited by the transcoding bitrate and codec settings. To compare the original result, play the same file on a client that lists AV1 as a supported format. Also confirm that the recording format was not accidentally re-encoded during import or media preparation.

Common problems and next steps

• If the video does not start, verify that the file is really AV1 rather than another codec and that the client firmware supports AV1 decoding.
• If the server CPU usage is high during playback, Plex is likely transcoding; use a client with AV1 support or accept a lower playback quality setting.
• If an exported AV1 file cannot be added to a library, confirm the file extension and check that the library type allows that media category.
• If audio plays but video is black or frozen, the client may support the audio stream but not the AV1 video profile; try a different client or re-export with a more compatible video profile.
• If direct play is unavailable even on a supported client, check the quality setting and disable automatic quality adjustments that might force transcoding.

For the most reliable playback, prefer clients that explicitly list AV1 support and keep both Plex Media Server and the client app updated. If you are producing video from a camera or capture source, test a short AV1 sample in Plex before encoding a long recording, so you can adjust the encoder settings without redoing a large file.