Can't connect to my Plex server from work

Plex Labs
1

For the past few weeks I’ve been struggling to connect to my Plex server from work. My workplace have very strict firewall rules, and most ports are blocked. I have had some issues from time to time, but usually Plexamp and app.plex.tv was able to connect through the relay, letting me at least listen to music while at work. This has not been possible at all for the last few weeks. I can’t connect at all.

Has something changed with the relays this year? Spotify works fine, so it’s clearly possible to find some openings in the firewall. Why won’t the relay work anymore? Is it related to the recent changes to TLS certificates? I’m on the most recent public server version.

2

From what I can see it seems that both Plexamp and app.plex.tv is trying so hard to connect using port 32400… and not 443 as I can see Spotify is using successfully.

3

Most likely, your network admin has blocked port 32400, as it’s the known default for Plex.
Change from an automatic to a manual portforwarding in your router and pick a port number of your liking for the external port number.
Then tell Plex the new external port number:

4

Isn’t that exactly the point of the relay though? Port 32400 has never been open at my workplace. I’ve still been able to connect through the relay until recently. I am specifically asking why the relay doesn’t work anymore.

I don’t have a problem connecting to my Plex from anywhere else but my strict workplace. It is properly forwarded.

5

“Daily” update: Today I am still not able to connect to my Plex server using Plexamp and the relay, but I was able to connect through app.plex.tv. That’s the first time in a while. I’d like to know why the browser version works with the relay today, but not Plexamp doesn’t.

Update: app.plex.tv stopped working. Still nothing with Plexamp
Update2: app.plex.tv connected again after spamming retry 3 times. Still no Plexamp.

6

Plexamp is still not able to connect through the relay at work.
app.plex.tv worked on the first try today.

7

Still not able to get Plexamp to connect using the relay.
app.plex.tv was able to get a connection through the relay on the second retry.

8

There will be a new Plexamp version soon-ish with a completely new network stack. Maybe it will change something in your use case.

9

Thanks. Nice to know!
I mostly assumed it was a relay issue, as even app.plex.tv struggle to connect sometimes and Plexamp has worked fine for months, but I’ll pause my complaining for now… :slight_smile:

10

Fwiw: After restarting my browser I once again had trouble connecting to my server using app.plex.tv… had to press retry connection 5 times before it connected through the relay. I’m not fully convinced it’s just a Plexamp issue at this point.

11

next version should be more resilient to DNS related issues, at least…

12

Tried the most recent version. Didn’t change anything for me. I’m still seeing Plexamp trying to use port 32400 and not jumping over to the relay.

E: Not able to connect using the browser through app.plex.tv today either.

I don’t get why it struggles so much to connect with the relay.

13

it really shouldn’t, with the relay, but god hath no fury like a local network scorned.

wanna post logs and see if we can figure out what’s going on?

also: check out https://support.plex.tv/articles/plexamp-network-connectivity-tips/ for some ways your can #%#% yourself.

14

I PM’d you. :slight_smile:
Thanks for looking at it.