Install Jellyfin Media Server on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS
In this guide you’ll learn how to get Jellyfin up and running on a fresh Ubuntu 22.04 LTS install, so you can stream your collection from any device without paying for a subscription.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start
- A machine running Ubuntu 22.04 (desktop or server edition).
- Root privileges – either boot into the console as root or use sudo.
- A working internet connection (Jellyfin’s packages are fetched online).
If you’re on a workstation that already has Kodi or Plex, I’ve seen people try to run both at the same time and get port clashes; keep an eye out for those warnings.
Step 1: Update Your System
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Why this matters? An up‑to‑date kernel and libraries reduce the chance of dependency hell when the Jellyfin packages pull in newer versions of libffmpeg or systemd.
Step 2: Install Required Dependencies
sudo apt install apt-transport-https ca-certificates gnupg lsb-release -y
These helpers let us add external repositories safely. I’ve seen “Unable to locate package” errors when this step is skipped, so don’t skip it.
Step 3: Add the Jellyfin GPG Key and Repository
wget -O- https://repo.jellyfin.org/jellyfin_team.gpg.key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/jellyfin-archive-keyring.gpg echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/jellyfin-archive-keyring.gpg] \ https://repo.jellyfin.org/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | \ sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/jellyfin.list
The key guarantees the packages haven’t been tampered with. Without it, apt would refuse to install Jellyfin.
Step 4: Install Jellyfin
sudo apt update sudo apt install jellyfin -y
This pulls in the server binary, its service unit, and all required runtime libraries. If you get “E: Could not open lock file /var/lib/dpkg/lock-frontend – Is another process using it?” wait a minute and try again; sometimes another update thread sneaks in.
Step 5: Start and Enable the Service
sudo systemctl enable --now jellyfin
The `enable` flag tells systemd to start Jellyfin on boot, while `--now` starts it immediately. You can verify with:
systemctl status jellyfin | grep Active
You should see “active (running)” – congratulations!
Step 6: Open the Web Interface
Open a browser and go to < http://your-server-ip:8096>. The first time you hit that URL, Jellyfin will walk you through creating an admin account. I’ve seen people skip this step only to be stuck with default “admin” credentials later, so set a strong password now.
Optional: Harden the Server
- Use HTTPS – install a reverse proxy like Nginx and use Let’s Encrypt certificates.
- Restrict access – add firewall rules (`ufw allow 8096/tcp` only for your home IPs).
- Set up media libraries – point Jellyfin to folders on external drives; remember to give the `jellyfin` user read access.
Troubleshooting Common Pitfalls
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Service fails to start | Missing libffmpeg dependency | `sudo apt install ffmpeg` |
| Browser shows “Jellyfin not reachable” | Port 8096 blocked by firewall | `sudo ufw allow 8096/tcp` |
| Media files don’t appear | Wrong folder permissions | `sudo chown -R jellyfin:jellyfin /path/to/media` |
If you hit a wall, check `/var/log/jellyfin/` for detailed logs.
That’s it. With Jellyfin now running on your Ubuntu machine, you can stream anything from your phones, tablets, or smart TVs—no subscription required. If you’re still missing that slick Plex‑style UI, consider installing the official Jellyfin plugins; they’ll bring a touch of polish without sacrificing the open‑source ethos.
