Emby Load on Windows Startup

[JohnsLibrary 9]

My Emby Server has lost it's ability to load on windows startup. I've put the shortcut in the Startup Folder

and it shows as being in the startup when looking in Task Manager. Plus, I need to sign in every time I

load it from a desktop shortcut. This is something that has happened within the last few months. I'm

running Windows 10 Pro version 22H2. 

[pwhodges 2012]

To run Emby without logging in you need to set it up as a Windows service.  Instructions for this are here:

https://emby.media/support/articles/Run-as-Windows-Service.html?q=service

Note that when running as a service Emby will not update itself automatically.  Note also that if you have media that's accessed via the network, you'll need to runb the service using an account which has access to the network (i.e. not the default service account).

Paul

[JohnsLibrary 9]

Ok, I looked at running Emby as a service before you mentioned it. I just don't understand why it stopped loading at Windows startup as it did before. I have been using Emby for about 5-6 years, then just recently it stopped loading. And yes, I do access my media via network almost exclusively. 

Does any of this have to do with have user name and password set?  Also, why can I click on the desktop shortcut and have it run but not in the startup folders or even added to the registry run key?

Regards,

John

[Neminem 1518]

Ok hmmm

You need to clarify this

1) if windows is logged into when you use can access Emby.

Startup scripts only work after user login and windows desktop can be used.

2)  Service accounts run without user login.

 

How is Emby Installed ?

[JohnsLibrary 9]

Yes, I have that feeling about having to login may be the issue. So, it is probably better to run it as a service.

Will I need to reinstall  and configure it again? If so, that would be a PIA!

[pwhodges 2012]

No - you just set up the service controller (nssm) as detailed in that link; when running, Emby is working just the same as before.  When I mentioned the network I specifically meant are your libraries remote from Emby, not do you access Emby across the network - that's pretty much taken as read.

Paul

[JohnsLibrary 9]

Oddly enough, I disabled my user password for logon to Windows so that the GUI loads after reboot, and  viola Emby is back loading. So as Neminem mentioned in his reply, scripts won't load until after you login to Windows. So I was probably not doing a login initially and just forgot that minor detail. Right now I'm ok with it as it stands really not needing to password protect Windows on a reboot.

Thanks to you guys for taking the time to reply.

Regards,

John

Edited September 9, 2025 by JohnsLibrary

[pwhodges 2012]

It is also possible to set Windows up to log in a user with password on startup.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/user-profiles-and-logon/turn-on-automatic-logon

Paul

[JohnsLibrary 9]

Thanks! I'll try that out.