I am setup on a Raspberry PI with Plex and a USB external HD for some traveling. Most of the places we’ll be don’t have any internet. I found the “List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth” setting. Without any network connections the IP address of the RPi is 127.0.0.1. I entered that into the box, then went into the browser and typed, 127.0.0.1:32400 and STILL got the “No network available”. I’m not sure why this is so difficult, but if anyone has any ideas, I’m all ears!
Hi Patrick, without any network how are you going to stream media from your Raspberry Pi to a client? 127.0.0.1 is what’s called a “loopback” address and allows the operating system and applications on the device to access each other without being connected to a network. If you’re only seeing that interface available you won’t be able to stream media to anything else you have with you.
I was planning on just plugging the PI into the TV wherever we are. I’m not needing streaming or anything fancy. I just want access to my media using the Plex interface on one tv.
I don’t think that will work. Plex is built from the ground up as a streaming system. You have a server with your media on it and a client that accesses that media over the network. You could, in theory, have a RasPi running both Plex Media Server and Plex Media Player all working over localhost, but Plex Media Server needs to be able to regularly connect to Plex.tv over the internet for metadata, updates, etc. so it wouldn’t be happy.
tl;dr I don’t think Plex is the solution for you, sorry. (Happy to be told I’m wrong, though!)
That’s really disappointing. I can use VLC or something but the UI is awful. I have about 6 RPi’s. Would I be able to use a PI as a server then another PI as the client on a closed wifi network / no internet?
No. The Plex server is designed to have internet connection at all time. Please don’t waste your time trying to get this to work.
Again, theoretically: yes. But practically unlikely: the throughput of the wifi adapter on the RasPis is awful as they’re connected via the USB. You’ll struggle to avoid buffering unless using very low bitrate media.
Again, though, you’ll run into the issue of Plex Media Server wanting Internet access. You’d also have to manually add your server to the Plex Media Player instance, as it usually discovers it via Plex.tv over an internet connection.
TBH, I think you’d be better off looking at running something like Kodi on your RasPi with a local USB HDD and output to the TV via HDMI
right!! Thanks Gary!
Get a second SD card and put LibreElec on it.
Not sure if you went a different route, but I have Plex running on my 3B+ for my RV since 12v power is always on in there and AC is not. I solved the need for internet via USB tethering to my iPhone’s hotspot and use the WiFi on the Pi to act as an access point to stream via direct play to my 3-4 phones and tablets. Then when we park we use a Roku to view the content on the TV. The Pi also acts as a router and shares out the internet connection it receives via the USB port. If that project interests you, I can send on more details.
