Remote-access Guide

plex remote access works but always has error

by Lyric Trantow Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

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

Why can't I connect to my Plex server outside of network?

No remote access If you're able to access the Plex server using a client on the same network but are unable to connect outside, the most likely cause of the problem is the router. Universal Plug and Play (uPnP) can be enabled to allow Plex to "talk" with the router and have ports and routes opened up for access from the outside world.

How to enable remote access on Plex Media Server?

If you want to enable remote access on Plex, a specific port needs to be opened on your router to allow the traffic to flow correctly. Most people will not run into issues trying to enable Remote Access with their Plex Media Server.

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...

Why does Plex limit my bandwidth on my server?

It appears that the majority of Plex clients on my network were considering the server to be a “remote” server, and so were setting bandwidth restrictions on playback.

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Does Plex require UPnP?

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

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.

Does Plex need port forwarding?

Plex Media Client: allows you to stream your content to all of your devices, anywhere. To make the most of Plex and get direct access to Plex's servers, you will need to set up port forwarding on your router.

How do I fix double NAT Plex?

1:252:08Plex Double NAT error fixed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut principally it's the same thing. So we had them deactivate the wi-fi router in here bridge theMoreBut principally it's the same thing. So we had them deactivate the wi-fi router in here bridge the internet signal from the modem. To our wi-fi router. So that our wi-fi router does all of the network

Why does Plex remote access keep disconnecting?

In some cases, you may have a firewall or something else on your computer/network that may be blocking a network connection that's required for Plex and your server to test whether Remote Access is working correctly for you.

What IP addresses does Plex use?

NAS Devices Type http://[Plex Media Server IP Address]:32400/web (e.g. http://192.168.1.25:32400/web) The browser will connect to the Plex Media Server and load Plex Web App.

Which 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]

Do you need Plex Pass for remote access?

It's not true. All users can stream remotely providing you've configured your Plex Server correctly. Head to Settings > Remote Access > Enable Remote Access to set it up. In this regard, the Plex Pass is only useful if you're going to be in a place with no internet—it lets you save content directly onto your device.

Why is my Plex not working?

Ensure you have the current version of Plex Media Server installed. Ensure that Plex Media Server is actually actively running. Verify that your Server is listed on your Devices page. Disable any VPN on your computer or router.

What does double NAT mean?

What is Double NAT? You can connect 2 routers to extend the Wi-Fi coverage in your home. But when you have 2 routers, each with their own private Wi-Fi network, your personal devices can have a hard time communicating with each other. This scenario is called Double NAT.

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 port forward a double NAT?

How to port forward through double NATUse DMZ to forward connections. Log into your second router (the one farthest from the Internet/closer to your PC) ... Use double router port forwarding. Log into your first router (use Wi-Fi or plug your PC straight into the WAN port) ... Set up a static IP address on Windows 10.

What is Plex DLNA server?

Your Plex Media Server can function as a DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) server in addition to its normal Plex functions. This allows regular DLNA clients to be able to access content from the Server. You can access these preferences under Settings > Server > DLNA in Plex Web App.

How do I assign a static IP address to my computer?

How to Set a Static IP AddressAccess the Control Panel. In the Windows search bar, type in “ncpa. ... Select the Network Adapter. ... Select Properties. ... Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) ... Manually enter IP address and subnet mask. ... Save Settings. ... Revert Back to DHCP.

How do I share my Plex server with friends?

Enter the username or email address of the person you want to share your library with, and click on the user when it pops up. In the next window, choose which libraries you share with others. To share all of them, select your server and click Save. Or select only the libraries you want to share, then click Save.

What is myPlex?

The Plex cloud services – we've called them myPlex – are designed to do three things to help make your lives easier: 1) An incredibly easy way for you to access your media remotely. One of the most common support questions we get involves connecting a mobile device to media stored at home.

Can't access Plex server on LAN?

Cannot access server on LAN. Should you be unable to access the Plex server on the network as well as outside the home or office, you may have a misconfiguration of your NAS, which may include discrepancies between the router or access point and the unit.

What is Plex Media Server?

Installing the server software on a PC or NAS can turn your home or office into a connected hub that can stream all kinds of media. Unfortunately, things can go wrong, so I rounded up some common issues and solutions that can help you get back on track.

What is a Plex plug and play?

Universal Plug and Play (uPnP) can be enabled to allow Plex to "talk" with the router and have ports and routes opened up for access from the outside world. Or you can go down the manual route by opening up a port yourself.

Can you ignore Plex updates?

One thing many people seem to sometimes ignore is updates, be it on the smartphone, PC or on a server. The Plex server is something you're likely to set up and forget, but you really do need to remain on top of things, especially if you encounter a problem that has already been fixed in a newer release. The first step to carry out is a version check. Follow this process:

Is it hard to put together a Plex server?

Putting together a Plex server isn't difficult, especially with some killer NAS units that can do all the hard work for you. When it comes to storage, you should always look at picking up one of these hard drives.

The Problem

It appears that the majority of Plex clients on my network were considering the server to be a “remote” server, and so were setting bandwidth restrictions on playback.

Plex Server Setup

I run my Plex instance in a Docker container, and there are two ways currently set up to access it:

Why do clients think the server is Remote?

When I started writing this up, there was a much more hacky solution involving custom DNS entries for <my id>.plex.direct records which solved this part. However it appears the solution was much more simple.

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