Server Version#:1.18.8.2468
Player Version#: Various, Xbox and Roku
I’m hoping someone can help a brother out. I’m no computer programmer, but I’ve got a decent grasp of general knowledge and I cannot figure out why my Plex server no longer works on my local WiFi network. I can stream movies on my Xbox which is connected to the router via ethernet, and I can remote access my server from OFF the local network, via the phone app and it will work. However, if I attempt to use any of my TV’s or if my phone is utilizing WiFi, Plex won’t function correctly.
Specifically, I can browse my media library, it updates the libraries correctly etc, but when I pick a movie it gets stuck in buffering hell and after about 60-90 seconds it gives me a playback error message. Super frustrating because I’m unaware of what has changed to cause this error and I’ve tried everything I could find to fix it. I’ve forwarded more ports than necessary (I’m sure), I’ve disabled my AV, I’ve turned off all the Xfinity router security stuff, I’ve triple checked the plex server settings… Anyone have any advice??? The movies just don’t start transcoding and streaming… but OFF the network functions perfectly, and on the ethernet works… it’s just the devices on WiFi…
I’d be eternally grateful for any assistance. I’m so frustrated I’ve started googling “Plex alternatives”, and I’ve been a lifetime Plex Pass member for many years. Thanks in advance for any help!
You only need one port forwarding for Plex, and that is only used for remote access.
I hope you did not enable the ‘Guest WiFi’ mode?
I’d try to switch wireless channels. If possible, try the 5GHz band. As a test, move one of the wireless clients closer to your router. If that suddenly works, you can consider this an “interference” issue, caused by other wireless devices.
If you live in an apartment, it could even be caused by a neighbor’s device.
Rule of thumb for video streaming: avoid wireless for bigger screens. Wire up as many as possible. Leave WiFi for small screen devices.
No, Guest WiFi mode is not enabled. I initially thought it was a remote access problem, so that’s when I forwarded the port (32400). I’ll try switching everything to the 5GHz band and see if it works… that band is faster data, but shorter range, right? As for the rule of thumb, I’ve had Plex running fine for 4 years in this house, and have used a Roku and a second xbox to access the media server without issue up until a month or so ago… Everything was fine one day, and then broken the next. Kinda like a marriage… meh… I’ll try anything at this point.
That’s the thing with wireless: it can break at any time. Often because of reasons outside of your influence, so you cannot even avoid all of them, even if you tried really hard. The “ether” is a shared medium after all.
If you want to ensure the full available bandwidth is only available to you, use wires.
Yeah, but EVERYTHING else works fine. The WiFi networks works with all other apps, etc. Plex is the only issue I’m having, ya know? It would be understandable if the network itself was having issues, across the board. But everything else is streaming fine and working as expected… I dunno, just frustrating.
What is “Everything else”? Even other video streaming portals are not directly comparable with Plex, because they prefer the lowest possible bandwidth. Plex is the opposite, unless you restrict the bandwidth intentionally.
I mean the Roku on the TV upstairs utilizes several other apps to stream movies etc, such as Sling TV, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, HBO Go… all work fine. All access the internet via the WiFi connection to my router. The Xbox uses the WiFi to run all those same apps, plus game online and download games etc. All those things don’t require transcoding video from my PC, I get that. And as I said before, I can access Plex from those other devices, and can browse the mdeia on my server, it just won’t play. BUT IT WILL when I do it from OFF the WiFi network… meh, I ever rolled back Plex to a version from last year (a couple days ago) to see if it was some new update issue…
Try if it is a DNS issue. Set your DNS server to 8.8.8.8 (in the prefs of your router). Then reboot the router first and after a few minutes the server and clients as well.
Yeah, my Xfinity router is set to 75.75.75.75 with no apparent way to adjust it…
Would posting my logs tell you anything? It all looks like gibberish to me, but when I’m watching the console screen I can see differences from when a video plays correctly , such as when I stream off network, and when it just doesn’t work when I try to stream while on the wifi…
Also, tried the 5Ghz suggestion and it did not work.
If you post logs, make sure you do have ‘debug’ loggin activated, but ‘verbose’ disabled.
Do also add when you played where and what, to make it easier to identify.
