Direct connection not available on local Wifi network

[mforce310]

Server Version#: latest (problem persists even after server updates)

Player Version#: latest version of Plex player on Roku Ultra 4660X.

Hi all,

I apologize for incomplete information. This problem is occurring at my dad’s house so I can gather more detailed information about the server and player version if needed. I mostly want to get a discussion going because the many similar threads I have found have not solved my problem.

There is no direct connection available on local Wifi network in this house. There are several similar threads but all of them contained a solution that did not work for us. We are only able to play at very low quality (1 mbps) and the Plex help page offered by Plex on the client is plex.tv/relay. This article appears to apply if you are trying to connect remotely, which we are not. However, I have tried all the solutions for indirect connection using remote access as well, because all we really want is a solution that works. The issue I found on the forum this is most similar to is:

Direct connection unavailable on local network

So I just started using plex and got everything set up. However I can’t get a direct connection working at all. If I try accessing plex on my macbook or android phone via my local network, all I get is an indirect connection. I’ve spent so many hours googling a solution and I cant figure out how to fix this. I don’t have any vpn running, I’ve forwarded port 32400. I have remote access working fine with no errors with manually specify public port 32400. I’ve tried restarting the server and router…

However the above solution did not work for us. The only solution i have not attempted is the solution regarding DNS rebinding mentioned in the below thread. I am not certain this is allowed by the ISP, as I could not follow Arris’s directions to achieve it: Why does my direct connection keep failing? - #4 by OttoKerner

Here is some information and solutions I have tried:

• Server is iMac from late 2015 running Mojave version 10.14.6.
• It is not possible to do direct connections using ethernet cables without running cables through the house, which is not even a temporary solution. This house is not wired with Ethernet cables, except to the modem/router itself.
• There are Wifi repeaters in this house. 3 to be exact. Using My Xfi, I confirmed at time of troubleshooting that the Roku client was connected to the router directly and not going through one of the repeaters.
• Modem/router is Arris TG02DCW3482P2CT, provided by Comcast.
• On the web player on the server & on the Roku client, I have set Secure Connections to both “preferred” or “disabled”.
• Under Settings > Web > General, I have set Allow Fallback to Insecure Connections to both “On same network as server” and “Always”.
• I have set up port forwarding using My Xfi. Comcast does not allow port forwarding to be set up on the router’s configuration menu, but instead redirects you to My Xfi. I have confirmed the port Plex is using is 32400 and have added the server’s public IP address. Remote Access is enabled.
• uPnp is allowed and enabled on this router.
• I have attempted to assign a static IP address to the server but I do not believe the router allows for this. Attempts have failed and the IP address remains on DHCP.

Let me know if there is any additional information you need and anything else I need to clarify. Thank you for your help.

[pl_5309]

Check that the server and roku are on the same lan segment, the first 3 octets should match.

Check your Router settings for AP isolation, it should be off.

DNS does sound like the likely issue, you should be able to change DNS on the comcast router to googles 8.8.8.8 and reboot everything.