Remote-access Guide

how to stop plex remote access from dropping

by Prof. Benjamin Ondricka Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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If remote access is dropping out, please make sure you run with debug logging enabled on the server - see https://support.plex.tv/articles/201643703-reporting-issues-with-plex-media-server/ Restart the server to get fresh logs created When the problem arises, note down the time and get screenshot of any connection issues from plex apps.

Open Plex Web App and make sure you're signed in to your Plex account on the server under Settings > Server > General. Go to Settings > Server > Remote Access. If needed, toggle the Show Advanced button to ensure the appropriate options are visible. Enable the Manually specify public port checkbox.Jan 12, 2022

Full Answer

How to troubleshoot Plex remote access not working?

If you find your plex remote access not working, follow this guide to troubleshoot your remote access issues. The big secret here is proper port forwarding for plex remote access! Keep in mind that internal port should always be 32400 and External port is set to the top of the range at 50000.

Why is my Plex server not available outside my network?

If you enable remote access to your Plex Media Server and see an error message like “Not available outside your network”, then you have a little trouble shooting to do. It’s important to note that the Plex Media Server can still reach the internet (the server is signed in), but the Plex system can’t access your Plex server from the outside.

What is the best port number for Plex remote access?

The big secret here is proper port forwarding for plex remote access! Keep in mind that internal port should always be 32400 and External port is set to the top of the range at 50000. Also when setting a static IP to your Plex Media Server it is always recommended to restart your device...

How does Plex handle connection data?

The Plex system automatically handles all the connection data as long as you are logged into the same Plex account on your media server and all your client devices. If you’re having issues, however, don’t worry–in the next section we’ll look at the most common issues and how to solve them.

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How do I secure my Plex remote?

Editing Secure Connections Setting By default the Secure Connections on your Plex Media Server is set to preferred. Meaning there isn't even anything special you need to do unless you want it required at all times. Sign in to your Plex account in the server. Under Settings > Server > Network in the Plex Web App.

Does Plex require UPnP?

Plex Media Server generally works, by the magic of UPnP, right out of the box.

How do I access Plex without port forwarding?

Click on the “CIDR Address” box, choose a Label name for the Resource, enter the private IP address of Plex (it's listed under Plex Settings > Remote Access and is likely 10. x.x.x or 192.168. x.x ), choose 32400 for the Port Restriction, and click “Add Resource”. Congrats!

Does Plex need a static IP?

A Public Static IP is not needed, largely because the AT&T "dynamic" address changes so infrequently that Plex will have no trouble tracking you down.

What port should I use for Plex?

TCP: 32400The most important port to make sure your firewall allows is the main TCP port the Plex Media Server uses for communication: TCP: 32400 (access to the Plex Media Server) [required]

Should I enable DLNA on Plex?

DLNA server timeline reporting Allow playback via DLNA to report timeline activity. This means that the Plex Media Server will track the current progress through the item. This should typically be enabled.

Why can't I access my Plex server remotely?

NAT/UPnP Compatibility: Either NAT or UPnP (depending on your router model) need to be enabled in order for port forwarding to work properly. If these are not enabled or have different configurations set than required, Plex Remote Access will not work.

What does Plex remote access do?

Enable access to your Plex Media Server from outside your local network so that you can reach it when away from home or for sharing content with family or close, personal friends. You can do this under Settings > Server > Remote Access in Plex Web App.

Why is my Plex server unreachable?

Verify that your Server is listed on your Devices page. Disable any VPN on your computer or router. Disable any proxies being used on your computer or router. Make sure you aren't requiring secure connections on the server while using an app that doesn't support them (see below)

Is it safe to open port for Plex?

Yes, port forwarding Plex is safe. Just make sure your internet connection is secured with AES 256-bit encryption for optimal online privacy and security.

Does UPnP work with port forwarding?

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a network protocol that allows compliant devices to automatically set port forwarding rules for themselves. These devices can be personal computers, printers, security cameras, game consoles or mobile devices that communicate with each other and share data over your network.

Is UPnP safe?

UPnP, therefore, is not inherently dangerous if your router is up to date and has all the latest firmware updates, and your connected devices are free of malware. UPnP becomes an issue if a connected device is infected with malware, as it can spread to your local devices.

How do I add UPnP to my router?

To enable or disable Universal Plug and Play:Launch a web browser from a computer or mobile device that is connected to your router's network.Enter the router user name and password. The user name is admin. ... Select ADVANCED > Advanced Setup > UPnP. The UPnP page displays.Select or clear the Turn UPnP On check box.

What is UPnP Nat PMP port forwarding?

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and NAT Port Mapping Protocol (NAT-PMP) are network services which allow software and devices to configure each other when attaching to a network. This includes automatically creating dynamic NAT port forwards and associated firewall rules.

Why is Plex not working?

There are many instances where several bugs are induced into the Plex application which causes it not to work as expected. Software all around us get updates every once in a while and sometimes these updates are not compatible with Plex. Hence its engineers roll out an update targeting this issue solely.

Why is Plex server error?

This usually occurs because Plex is a heavy application with numerous parameters going on simultaneously. If any one of these gets into an error state or load a bad configuration, it might be unusable.

Why does Plex Media Server buffer?

This scenario usually occurs when your internet connection is not sound which forces the server to use less bandwidth in order to provide access to the media.

What is plex media?

Plex is a client-server media stream and software suite. It has a Plex Media Server desktop application which is available on Windows, Ubuntu, and macOS. This applications allows you to organize different media files in your computer and allows players over the internet to access them if given the correct credentials.

What happens if you don't have a stable internet connection?

The same scenario also applies to the requesting computer; if you do not have a stable internet connection, you will not be able to request and stream media efficiently. First, you should check the number of devices running on your network (both the server and requesting computer).

Does a plex router need NAT?

If these are not enabled or have different configurations set than required, Plex Remote Access will not work.

Does Plex update itself?

Normally, Plex’s web application updates itself over time as you use it. The case is different in case of Ubuntu or other platforms where Plex is running. Below is the method on how to update Plex on an Ubuntu machine. You can easily google other methods for updating if you have it running on another platform.

HowTo: Automated Youtube Downloads

after spending some time to get everything done I want to share with you how I managed to download Youtube videos and add them to plex automatically. There are some guides out there, but for me none of them was working 100%.

dizqueTV 1.4.2

dizqueTV is a service that allows you to create fake TV channels out of the contents of your plex library. These channels can then be played in iptv players, in Plex's "live TV" or even directly in media players.

Dear Plex Devs,

For the love of god, Original remote video quality should be set as default on all non-mobile devices.

How to check if Plex is disabled?

While logged into your Plex Media Server’s web control panel, select the Settings icon from the upper right toolbar. Within the Settings menu select, the “Server” tab.

How to set up static IP address on Plex?

You’ll need to identify your Plex Media Server computer on the network and then look for an option in your router to create a “static IP”, “static lease”, or “DHCP reservation” to permanently associate the Plex Media Center with a given IP address. Below you can see an example of what adding a static IP address looks like, via our DD-WRT router.

What happens if you don't set up a static IP address?

If you don’t do this every time your router assigns a new internal address to the media server it will break your port forwarding rule. If you need more information on setting up a static IP address you can search for documentation for your specific router and read up on static IP addresses here.

What happens when you double up a NAT system?

When a NAT system is doubled up with another NAT system, however, it can create issues for apps (like the Plex Media Server) that rely on UPnP to create automatic port forwarding rules. This occurs commonly when you have a router/modem combo supplied by your ISP and your own router plugged into that unit.

How to port forward on Plex?

First, let’s turn on the manual port mode in Plex. To do so navigate to Settings > Server > Remote Access (as we did in the previous section of the tutorial).

What does it mean when a server says "Not available outside network"?

If your server is currently not configured for remote access, it will say “Not available outside your network” as seen above. Click the large orange button that reads “Enable Remote Access”.

What does the control panel indicate on Plex?

In addition to telling you that the server is accessible, the control panel will also indicate the internal IP address and port number of the Plex Media Server on your local network as well as external, or public, IP address and port number.

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