Cannot connect to remote PLEX server from local network

Plex Media Server Remote Access
1

Hello!

I have been happily using PLEX for almost 6 years now with almost no issues until now.
I have two PLEX servers. One that runs locally on my desktop, and another remote one that runs on a Linux box I have through a provider called Whatbox. Recently I have lost the ability to connect to the PLEX server on my remote box.

I have gone through several hours of troubleshooting with the Whatbox team, and have determined that the issue is being caused by something on my local network based on the following evidence:

  • When attempting to access my remote server through the PLEX app on my phone via LTE, I am able to connect without issues
  • When attempting to access my remote server through the direct mirror link on my phone via LTE I am able to connect without issues
  • If I attempt the above steps while on my local wifi, I get a server not found error in the PLEX app, and the mirror link simply fails to open.
  • My personal router recently died, so I am using the gateway I got from Comcast(Xfinity) I tried disabling their XFi Advanced Security software and power-cycling the gateway. Despite this, attempting to access the remote server from my local network still fails.
  • Comast offers a “service” where if you use the gateway they provide, a public hotspot is created piggybacking off your internet service. I tried connecting to my neighbor’s public hotspot and was able to access my remote PLEX server without issues.
  • Additionally I have full SSH and FTP access to my remote Whatbox server, as well as access to the murmur server I run on that box, so I’m only having issues with the PLEX connection.

I have connected to my network at any given time:
3 windows PCs
1 Macbook
1 Xbox One
1 PS4
2 Smart Tvs (LG TVOS and Android TV)
1 Iphone
2 Androids
1 Google Home

Any advice as to what could be causing this issue, or steps I can take for further diagnosis are/is very welcome!

2

From your MacBook or windows PC while on your WiFi not the public hotspot try to telnet to your whatbox by name or ip and specify port 32400 assuming you use port 32400 for remote access.

I would assume the test would fail and if on public WiFi would work but please test and report back.

I saw a post where someone else had their Xfinity gateway set to medium security and changing that helped their remote access issue. What is your gateway set to for security level?

3

Hi!

I’m not sure how to go about telneting to the remote server, but I can confirm that my gateway firewall is disabled for IPV4 and IPV6. I’ve also disabled the Xfinity XFi service as I’ve heard that can cause issues as well.

4

Open a command prompt in windows and type telnet hostname 32400 although you might need to add telnet as a windows service as it’s been removed by default.

If not open a terminal window on your Mac and type telnet hostname 32400

Once you telnet you should get an open or blinking cursor as opposed to a connection refused or closed error. You can also substitute hostname with the IP.

Or instead of telnet you can just try to browse with a web browser to your whatbox ip and port https://hostname:32400 but given your situation it will probably just time out anyways.

5

I had the exact same issue. Fixed it with a simple windows firewall rule allowing plex server.exe. Hope it helps.