Issue Overview: Plex on Nvidia Shield Can’t See a Network Share

If you're running Plex Media Server on the Nvidia Shield TV and suddenly one of your network shares (such as from a NAS, Windows PC, or another media server) becomes invisible or inaccessible, you're not alone. This issue can occur for several reasons including failed network mounts, credential issues, changes in the share path, or Plex losing access after a reboot or update.

The Shield TV is powerful for local media servers but has some quirks when it comes to SMB share mounting and persistent access.

Step 1: Confirm the Share Is Reachable on the Shield Itself

Before blaming Plex, check if the Nvidia Shield can still see the share at the system level:

Use a file manager app (like X-plore or Solid Explorer) to browse your network.

Try accessing the missing share manually.

If the Shield can’t see or open the share, the problem lies in network connectivity or permissions, not Plex.

Make sure the Shield is connected to the same network as the share source (NAS, PC, etc.).

Step 2: Re-Mount the Network Share

If the share was manually mounted before, it may have been lost during a reboot or update. Unfortunately, the Shield doesn't persist mounts natively unless done through specific apps or root access (which voids warranty).

Try this:

Go to Shield Settings > Storage > Network Storage.

Select “Available Network Storage.”

If your device is listed, select it and input the correct username/password.

If it’s not listed, choose “Add manually” and enter the device IP and shared folder name.

Once mounted, it should be accessible from Plex again.

Step 3: Check Permissions on the Share Source

If Plex and the Shield can see other shares but not one, permissions may have changed:

On your NAS or PC, verify that the shared folder has read access for the user account the Shield is using.

If you're using guest access, try switching to a user account with explicit read permissions.

For Windows users, ensure SMB v1 is enabled if the device is older, and that password-protected sharing is off if using guest.

Step 4: Re-Add the Folder in Plex Library Settings

If the share is mounted but still missing inside Plex:

Open the Plex app on the Shield.

Go to Settings > Manage Libraries.

Try scanning the library that uses the missing share.

If the folder is still invisible, remove the library and re-add it using the updated path (usually under /storage/ or /mnt/).

Sometimes Plex loses the reference to the path if the Shield renames it (e.g., due to a changed mount point or IP address).

Step 5: Restart Everything

Restart the Shield.

Restart your Plex Media Server app (within the app settings).

Restart your NAS or PC that’s sharing the content.

Final Tips

Use static IPs or reserved DHCP leases on your NAS/PC to prevent path changes.

Avoid relying on auto-discovery for shares—enter IP-based paths manually.

Consider moving your media to a local USB drive on the Shield if network access is unreliable.