Can PLEX server be downgraded?

[TabasKo]

Server Version#: 1.25.0.5282-7000
Player Version#: 5.28.2 / 2.4

Everything had been working perfectly for years…
Following recent updates, I can no longer play movies from my library because my smarttvs are not recent … (a samsung from 2015, and a Hisense from 2020). Here is a post where I discribed the issue but this is not this topic subject !

I have searched and found the articles that correspond to this situation and the behavior I observe, however the expected manipulations can not be done on my PLEX apps (client) because the versions are I think too old…
Fortunately no problem with my AppleTV but for my other televisions, it is really annoying!

I think that an alternative would be to simply downgrade my PLEX server version on my synology to a version (from September 2021 for example) so that everything works again as before.

I haven’t found anything about this.
Also it is difficult to find the SPK archive which is only a few months old!

Have you already made the experience of downgrade ? (I admit that it makes me frightened especially at the level of the libraries which underwent updates in time with the new versions of Plex).

Thanks for your opinions and feedback.

[ChuckPa]

You’re asking to downgrade and discussing a problem which has been well defined and documented here.

Important information about Plex for smart TVs after September 30, 2021

UPDATE: It appears that all Tizen-based Samsung sets are likely affected by the cert change and will thus need the app and server configured to allow insecure connections. On September 30, 2021, some older smart TVs (some Samsung, LG, Vizio, Hisense, and other unsupported TV platforms) will no longer be able to use secure connections to communicate with Plex Media Servers. These devices are no longer supported by their manufacturers, and won’t be receiving an update needed to continue making se…

You’ve not provided any log files so specific advice is not possible.

If you’re hoping that changing the software will remedy this problem – it won’t.

It would be like trying to borrow an older book from the library with an expired library card – same concept. The problem is time. The credentials built into those devices expired.

This having been said, there are some options.

Can you please advise and then tell me how you’d like to proceed.

[TabasKo]

Hi ChuckPa

Thank you for your example of a book at the library, it allowed me to understand the nonsense of my initial request.

I will try to find how to share log from server. Is that from here ?

[ChuckPa]

May I please also see the Server logs ?

Settings - Server - Troublshooting - Download Logs

[TabasKo]

@ChuckPa

Settings - Server - Troublshooting - Download Logs

I assume this is that part beacuse I don’t find anything else related to log.
I get more than 130 files. Can you please specify witch ones are usefull for your investigation ?
com.plexapp.system.log ?

(3am in France, will probably now reply only tomorrow)

[ChuckPa]

I asked for the entire set because I always look through the entire set.

If you are reluctant.

Plex Media Server.log
Plex Media Server.*.log

[TabasKo]

@ChuckPa

If you are reluctant.

I apologize but I won’t share all of my logs. It’s not a question of trust, but a pure question of principle about data that is personal to me.

Would it make sense if I purged all my logs and reproduced the error I’m encountering to have only the information we are interested in?

I hope I don’t offend you and I thank you for your support. I’m trying to see if I can purge from plex or if I should do it directly from the NAS

[ChuckPa]

I can open a private channel if you wish.

Should you choose to purge PMS and start over -

1. Uninstall the package
2. Choose the Erase option (in red).

Erase destroys all data in the PlexMediaServer shared folder as it uninstalls.

The only thing left behind is the service account name “PlexMediaServer” (which DSM controls).

[TabasKo]

That’s nice of you, but it doesn’t change the basic problem that this represents for me.

Either I can purge and share without any information, or I can take it upon myself to not take advantage of your help and kindness.

All this being said, we’re dealing with the classic problem that all Hisense and some Samsung smartTV users encounter. Maybe we don’t need to go through 60Mb of log text

I have to go to bed, but I’ll be happy to continue the discussion later dear ChuckPa.

EDIT : I just see you added info on how to purge, this will next step tomorrow (here it’s 3am40, I have to sleep)

[TabasKo]

@ChuckPa

Erase destroys all data in the PlexMediaServer shared folder as it uninstalls.

The only thing left behind is the service account name “PlexMediaServer” (which DSM controls).

I can’t do that ! I have tones of folder and shares. No way
Can I find these log files via the NAS file explorer ?

[ChuckPa]

Let’s back up to what appears to be a basic HTTPS problem.

You have a Hisense and other TV on your LAN which can no longer connect ?

If this is the problem, there is a simple soluton.

1. Get the LAN IP address of the TV / device
2. Settings - Server - Network - Show advanced
3. Being VERY careful not to add leading or trailing spaces, type in the IP addresses of those devices separated by a comma. It will look something like this when done.

4. At the top, Change “Required” to “Preferred” (if you have it set to Required).
5. Save the changes.
6. Restart the TV / device apps.

[TabasKo]

@ChuckPa

You have a Hisense and other TV on your LAN which can no longer connect ?

Hisense WAN (the place I’m today) Having this issue
Samsung LAN (home) so I will test at the end of the week-end (Having this issue)

[TabasKo]

On the LAN it fixed my issue ! Great thanks (of course it doesn’t fix the **WAN issue)
Can you please specify exactly what means “without authentification” ?
I need local users to access to their own profile with their password.

[ChuckPa]

@TabasKo

On the LAN it fixed my issue ! Great thanks (of course it doesn’t fix the LAN issue)

Typo here? It fixed but didn’t fix the issue?

What I’ve shown you allows those devices, where you’ve specified the IP, to skip signing in.

Everyone/Everything else must still authenticate normally.

[TabasKo]

Sorry, corrected in my previous message (I wrote LAN instead of WAN).
LAN is OK now.

Just to make sure for my poor understanding : “signing in” is the association between my PLEX pass and the configured list of users ? (sorry for this question).

[ChuckPa]

Each Plex “user” has an ‘account’.

When you share your libraries, you share with their account.

They can be anywhere , using any device, sign in, (this is them authenticating), and then be granted the access to the libraries you’ve given them.

[ChuckPa]

Fixing the WAN issue will require

1. Entering their modem/router WAN IP address. (This is only safe if their WAN IP does not change. Most ISPs do not change IP addresses once assigned. Monitoring / research is needed to determine if this is possible.

-or-

2. A VPN from their location to yours. Doing this makes them have a LAN address. (This is more advanced to setup and maintain)

[TabasKo]

Will try first, the first solution !
Once I get the WAN IP address, where do I have to place it ?

[ChuckPa]

You place the WAN IP in the same box where you placed the LAN IP of your one television. Separate them by ,

Again, make certain there are no leading , trailing, or spaces in between.

[TabasKo]

Understood, will test it tomorrow from the other place (does it matter if this is for a different user than mine ?) I mean that the user logs to his PLEX client, using his own mail address with who I’m sharing my folders)