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+---- Thread: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user (/t-ubuntu-can-t-brows-files-no-jellyfin-user)
Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - DifferentComputers - 2025-06-27
Recent upgrade to Ubuntu 24 LTS.
Brand new install of Jellyfin via Ubuntu Software.
Not using Docker.
The page localhost:8096/web/index.html#/dashboard/libraries does not allow browsing my file structure so I can't select a media library.
I also can't manually add a library path, though I freely admit that I might be misunderstanding what path is needed! What I tried to add looked like "/mnt/54hexcode-hexcode-yaddayadda-morehexcode"
This is perhaps due to a permissions error, which led me down the path of trying to add the jellyfin user to the drives that contain my media. However, in this attempt I discovered that there IS no jellyfin user. (confirmed by "cat/etc/passwd | grep jellyfin: returning nothing.)
That seems like a problem.
Is this typical? searching for "create jellyfin user" gives me only instructions on creating end users, not the system user.
Or am I heading in exactly the wrong direction for fixing this problem of the file structure not being browsable by the web interface?
Thanks
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - theguymadmax - 2025-06-27
You need to set the proper permissions on your media folder for Jellyfin to see them: https://forum.jellyfin.org/t-mounting-local-storage-in-linux-linux-permissions-primer
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - DifferentComputers - 2025-06-28
Yes, I understand that, but there is no jellyfin user, as I mentioned.
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - theguymadmax - 2025-06-28
When you install Jellyfin it automatically creates the jellyfin user: run this command, you should see the user account.
Code:
cut -d: -f1 /etc/passwdCode:
cat /etc/passwd | grep jellyfinRE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - DifferentComputers - 2025-06-28
Result of the cut command:
root
daemon
bin
sys
sync
games
man
lp
news
uucp
proxy
www-data
backup
list
irc
gnats
nobody
systemd-network
systemd-resolve
messagebus
systemd-timesync
syslog
_apt
tss
uuidd
systemd-oom
tcpdump
avahi-autoipd
usbmux
dnsmasq
cups-pk-helper
rtkit
whoopsie
sssd
speech-dispatcher
fwupd-refresh
nm-openvpn
saned
colord
geoclue
pulse
gnome-initial-setup
hplip
gdm
mike
sshd
plex
homebridge
xrdp
avahi
shairport-sync
nqptp
iiab-admin
dhcpcd
cups-browsed
polkitd
gnome-remote-desktop
cat /etc/passwd | grep jellyfin returns nothing.
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - theguymadmax - 2025-06-28
How did you install it? Did you use the install script:
Code:
curl -s https://repo.jellyfin.org/install-debuntu.sh | sudo bashRE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - DifferentComputers - 2025-06-28
No, as that method returns curl https://repo.jellyfin.org/install-debuntu.sh | sudo bash
% Total % Received % Xferd Average Speed Time Time Time Current
Dload Upload Total Spent Left Speed
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 0> Determining optimal repository settings.
100 10841 100 10841 0 0 101k 0 --:--:-- --:--:-- --:--:-- 102k
ERROR: We don't support the Ubuntu codename 'oracular' with this script.
Note: We only support LTS versions of Ubuntu.
Please consider a Docker-based or manual install instead: https://jellyfin.org/downloads/server
I installed via Ubuntu Software, which is a snap repository I suppose.
If there IS a way to install from the command line, I'm all ears.
But to be clear, the optimal answer for me would be to have the correct user AND to have installed it via the Ubuntu Software app.
Just to be sure I tried curl -s https://repo.jellyfin.org/install-debuntu.sh | sudo bash and got the same result. don't know why that command above is missing -s
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - DifferentComputers - 2025-06-28
After more reading it appears I've worked myself into a hole by upgrading past Ubuntu 24 LTS, as this machine runs some other important stuff for me that means I don't want to try a downgrade from 24.10 to 24.04 LTS and the latter is what Jellyfin supports.
I'll either spin up another box or consider Docker, which I've avoided until now.
RE: Ubuntu. Can't brows files/no jellyfin user - theguymadmax - 2025-06-28
Jellyfin only supports LTS releases currently: 20.04, 22.04, and 24.04. You can try installing via the portable method: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/installation/advanced/manual#portable-linux-install , but I know that's not what you want.
Edit: Just saw your other post. I think Docker would be the best option.