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Install the Silux Media server

The Silux Media server is the part that holds your library. It runs on a computer you leave switched on — a desktop, laptop, NAS, mini PC or Raspberry Pi — and streams to every app and TV.

It's free, needs no Silux Media account, and never moves, renames or copies your files.

Silux Media — the full tour — A complete tour of Silux Media: signing in, the library, playing films on a slow connection, people and roles, Parental Control, uploading and the TV apps. Film footage: Tears of Steel © Blender Foundation (CC BY 3.0).

Windows 10 and 11

  1. 1Download the Windows .zip from the Download page and unzip it, for example into C:\Silux Media.
  2. 2Double-click start-silux-media.bat. Windows may ask to allow it through the firewall — choose Private networks.
  3. 3Your browser opens http://localhost:8097. If it doesn't, open that address yourself.
  4. 4Optional: run install-service.ps1 as administrator to start the server automatically when Windows starts.

macOS (Apple silicon and Intel)

  1. 1Download the macOS .tar.gz for your Mac and double-click it to unpack the silux-media-server folder.
  2. 2Open Terminal in that folder and run ./silux-media-server — or run ./install-launchagent.sh to start it automatically when you log in.
  3. 3Open http://localhost:8097 in Safari or Chrome.

Ubuntu, Debian and other Linux

  1. 1Download the .deb and run: sudo apt install ./silux-media-server_*.deb — it installs a service that starts with the computer.
  2. 2On other distributions download the .tar.xz, unpack it and run ./silux-media-server.
  3. 3Open http://<this-computer>:8097 from any device on your network.

Docker and NAS (Synology, QNAP, Unraid, TrueNAS)

  1. 1Load the Silux Media Docker image and map port 8097 (web app and apps) and 8098 (encrypted direct connections).
  2. 2Mount your media folders read-only if you like — Silux Media only reads them (admins' deletes go to a recycle folder, see Manage library).
  3. 3Open http://<nas-address>:8097.

First run: create the admin account

The first time you open the web app it asks you to create the owner account. This person is automatically the server's admin: they add media folders, add people, choose who else is an admin and set Parental Control. Choose a strong password — 8 characters or more.

Questions

Do I need a Silux Media account to run the server?

No. The server and its web app work on their own. An account is only needed to sign in from the apps with your email, link TVs with a code, or use Plus, Pro or Cloud.

Which port does it use?

8097 for the web app and the apps. 8098 is used for encrypted direct connections when you turn them on.

Does it change my files?

No. Silux Media reads your files where they are. It never moves, renames or re-encodes the originals.

Last updated 2026-11-12.