I just updated my Mac’s desktop OS and I can no longer access Plex locally via my browsers (Firefox and Safari). Remote access works fine; as soon as I turn on a VPN, I can access Plex just fine. All my other devices (iPad, Apple TV) are working fine with Plex. I’ve gone through the Network settings on Plex and I don’t see what might be the problem. Do I need to change something on my router or on the Mac’s settings? I thought it might be the firewall, but if the remote access works, I didn’t think that was the problem.
I’m running the server on a Mac mini if that means anything. Desktop is an older Intel iMac Pro, running Sequoia 15.7.3.
Thank you for that very detailed response. I don’t use Chrome, but I’ve tried to find some similar setting in Safari and Firefox and in the MacOS settings, but although I’ve tried a few things nothing seems to work. I’ll keep searching. Thanks again.
Thanks. Yes, I did see that note, and I did check the MacOS settings, at least the ones that I could find that seemed relevant. This is such a peculiar problem.
I have not. I only use the desktop browser interface for maintenance, not for watching videos. Just to verify that new videos are added, and to tweak any adjustments, etc. So I haven’t had the need to get the app. I’ll try it and see.
OK, I just downloaded the MacOS desktop app, which I had never considered getting previously because I don’t actually watch videos on the desktop. At least not for pleasure, just to test to see that they are there. I only use the desktop for maintenance of Plex.
Anyway, I have desktop Plex for MacOS now and it works!
And it seems I can do all my maintenance in the app, so there’s no need to use the browser interface anymore.
Thanks!!!
I’d still like to figure out what the problem is with the browser, so I’ll probably give Apple a call or check on their forum.
I do have one question about the desktop app. It only shows me Continue Watching and Recently Added Movies and Recently Added Videos on my Home Screen. How can I get it to include Recently added TV Shows? I’ve gone through all the settings. I’ve redone the customization. I searched the help screens. I spent at least an hour on this and can’t figure its out.
Yes, I had tried that but it only gave me stuff that I wasn’t interested in. But after seeing your message, I tried pinning those items again and then quitting the app. When I re-opened the app, the Recently Added TV was there! So thank you!
Try using the direct ip http://<serverip>:32400/web instead of app.plex.tv. You should be able to access it that way.
Wondering if maybe you’re experiencing some dns issues when trying to use app.plex.tv., You can change them on the computer(s) and/or router to 8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4 or 1.1.1.1/1.0.0.1 to test.
I could have sworn that was one of the things that I tried, but I just tried it (again?) now and it worked. Thanks. So did updating the MacOS do something to the DNS? Weird. I just checked and I’m using the DNS on the router which is what I’ve been using for years.
The DNS piece would impact using app.plex.tv and also making other local connections with piex. If you’re using the default ISP DNS servers and haven’t changed them to what I mentioned, they can sometimes trigger what’s called DNS rebind, which blocks plex from making secure local connections. It’s not consistent when it happens, which I don’t fully understand.
This is not due to anything you did, it ls just how the ISP DNS behaves, it’s designed to protect you, but it also can get triggered by plex’s method for local connections. I’m sure the smarter people here can explain it better than me!
I’m coming to the conclusion that perhaps it might be a coincidence that this occurred right after an OS upgrade. It doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Apple. Thanks again for your help.
I changed my DNS to 1.1.1.1 and that fixed the problem! I can now use app.plex.tv on both Safari and Firefox. I used to use those alternate DNS servers years ago but somewhere along the line…
