SABnzbd in Docker on a Synology NAS

Last updated on 6 April 2025

Please note if you are using DSM7.2 or higher you should use the Container Manager version of this guide from the menu.

This guide has reached the end of its updates as most people are now on the latest DSM update - This guide is correct as of 08/12/2023 however no further updates will be added.

Update	Date
Amended the path to save the compose file – this is for security, so the container has no access to the file contents.	14/04/2023

What is SABnzbd?

SABnzbd is a binary newsreader, it is used to download files from Usenet, and where required will also repair and extract releases. It works on its own or in conjunction with other tools such as Lidarr and Radarr.

Let’s Begin

In this guide I will take you through the steps to get SABnzbd up and running in Docker.

In order for you to successfully use this guide please complete the three preceding guides

• Step 1: Directory Setup Guide
• Step 2: Setting up a restricted Docker user
• Step 3: Setting up a Docker Bridge Network

Downloading the SABnzbd Image

Open up Docker within DSM and navigate to the ‘Registry’ tab and search for ‘SABnzbd’.

In the list of available containers select the one made by Linuxserver as shown below, right click on it and select ‘Download’ or click the button at the top of the window.

The pop-up box will ask which version you want to download, make sure you choose ‘Latest’ from the list of available versions.

You can check the status of the download over on the ‘Image’ tab.

Setting up the container

In Docker click on the ‘Image’ tab, in the list of your containers select the ‘Linuxserver SABnzbd’ image and click on ‘Launch’

You will be greeted with the Network screen, we will be using the ‘synobridge’ network we created earlier select it from the list and click Next.

General Settings

Next you will be greeted with the General Settings screen, this is where you can start specifying some of your preferences.

You can change the name of the container to anything you like, and you may want to enable Auto Restart as this will ensure SABnzbd starts automatically if you reboot your NAS.

Next up we are going to click on the ‘Advanced Settings’ button, this will take you to a new window with a number of tabs which we are going to work through.

Environment (PGID,  PUID and Timezone)

Next we are going to set up a couple of environment variables that docker will use to allow the container access to our files and folders and also to tell it where we live in the world.

Click the Add button, and fill in the following details as per the table/screenshot, you will need to do one at a time.

Variable	Value
PUID	The UID you obtained in the user setup guide
PGID	The GID you obtained in the user setup guide
TZ	Your timezone wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tz_database_time_zones

Links/Execution Commands

You do not need to set up anything on these tabs.

Press ‘Save’ to go back to the initial setup screen, then press ‘Next’

Port Settings

We won’t be changing any of the ports the container uses. You can repeat the ones shown on the right side of the settings page ‘Container Port’ onto the left side ‘Local Port’ once you have done this press ‘Next’.

Volume Settings

We will now be specifying the directories where SABnzbd will store its configuration files and where download files.

Click on Add Folder, click on the docker share and create a new sub-folder called ‘sabnzbd’ select this folder and click ‘select’

You will now repeat this step but this time adding the /data/usenet folder and then add the Mount Paths as per the table / screenshot below.

File/Folder	Mount path
docker/sabnzbd	/config
data/usenet	/data/usenet

Click Next to move to the final screen.

Summary

You have now completed the setup of the container.

You will be shown an overall summary of the settings we have specified, this is a good time to double-check everything is correct. Finally, click on Done and the container should start to boot.

Some final steps

SABnzbd will now be running on port 8080 you can connect to it by going to the IP address of your NAS with that port

e.g. 192.168.0.40:8080

Once you have completed the setup wizard, go into the settings and amend your folders to the following

(Please note, if you have trouble accessing the setup wizard or get an error after the first step. Stop the Docker package in the Package Centre and restart it, or in some cases do a reboot)

After the initial set up you will need to ensure the ‘Folders’ settings are in line with the table/screenshot below.

Setting	Path
Temporary Download Folder	/data/usenet/intermediate
Completed Download Folder	/data/usenet/completed
Watched Folder	/data/usenet/nzb

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Historic Updates	Date
Added Docker Compose details Added new folder mappings to ensure atomic moves and Hard-linking	03/05/2021
Guide re-written and updated with DSM7 screenshots	01/08/2021
Added note about rebooting if you are unable to access the Setup Wizard	14/01/2022
Updated steps and screenshots for DSM7.1	02/07/2022
Added new port settings and Docker Bridge Network	24/07/2022
Compose version number removed and small wording amendments	08/04/2023

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