Server Version#: Version 1.18.8.2527
Player Version#: Version 1.6.3.1009-57cf57c8 (macOS)
Player Version#: Version 2.15 (14696) (Apple TV 4k)
Player Version#: Version 6.9 (Apple iPad Pro 2018)
Player Version#: Version 6.9 (Apple iPhone 11)
Player Version#: Version 7.28.0.15501 (ba34f115) (Amazon Fire HD Kids)
Hi there,
i got a problem for about 7-10 days - maybe since I upgrade the Server-/and or the Player App, but I’m not sure.
I use the same setup with the same devices for months without any problem.
But now I got a weird behaviour on my Apple TV (tvOS up2date) and iMac (Catalina - up2date).
On both the devices the playback starts flawless as usual - but after some time (about 10-20 Minutes) it starts buffering extremly. Nearly every 5 seconds the playback stops and starts after a “timeout” of 1 seconds.
Here’s what i found out so far and some information about my setup.
All testing was done with the same movies.
Movies tested:
Transilvania 1 (3.56GB; MKV; h264; 720p @24fps)
Transilvania 2 (4.64GB; MKV; h264; 1080p @24fps)
Server ressources are idling - see Screenshots. CPU is a i7 3770k. Even if I got 4 simultaneously playbacks, the CPU keep on idling Can’t be the problem.
Due to idling there is also no heat problem - all 4 cores running around 40°C. Can’t be the problem.
Network cant be the problem either - imho. I made some test file transfers TO and FROM the Server. Both directions working nearly at a perfect speed of about 850Mbits. (see Screenshot)
UniFi controller confirmed that the complete inhouse network is idling to. Utilization is less than 5%.
AppleTV and iMac are connected with cable - no WiFi. Due to that, WiFi cant be the problem either.
And - whats completly weird - playback from an Amazon Fire HD (Kids Edition), iPad Pro 2018 AND iPhone 11 works flawless - no buffering there. Both devices are connected via 5GHz WiFi.
The AccessPoint (providing WiFi for Fire HD, iPad Pro and iPhone) is wired directly to the switch. And the iMac and ATV4k are also wired directly to the switch. So imho - the switch can’t be the problem either.
I deinstalled Antivirus software - no change. But to be honest - this would be also affect the iPhone and the Fire HD. So obviously not the problem.
I deactivated the transcoding completely to make sure that this feature is not the problem. Same behavior with or without transcoding enabled.
Both devices (iMac and ATV4k) are idling too. CPU utilization of the iMac (i7 6700) is about 15%. Allocated RAM is about 18GB of 32GB available. ATV4k is not running any other app.
So – that’s it. I’m completely stucked and my kids are praying for help …
Spoiler: In Germany we need to stay at home. Kindergardens, schools and so on are closed for the next 4 weeks due to Corona virus - and now - Plex let me down… worst case scenario
Hopefully someone can help me out of this struggle.
Update: It seems that this is a “Apple”-specific problem. I installed Win10 on my iMac as a second OS and started the above mentioned movies again. No problem at all.
Maybe some of the devs is reading this and can fix this problem - or give some tips what can cause this “buffering” behavior.
I Have the same problem with the same device setup.
Server 2019 with Essentials Pack installed on AppleTV 4k. Stops every 10-20 minutes with message. “Server connection too slow”. Network testet und Server load tested. Both aren’t the problem. this problem exists since aprox 14 days after an update.
When i watch on the tv integrated LG App, i don’t have any problems.
Ohhh yes - thank god that you got the exact same problem.
Thought I was the only one - in those cases no dev (mostly) would care about me.
Hopefully there are more out there, so that there will be a chance for a fix. Very anoying in a house full of Apple devices.
This is an issue to do with the latest Windows Server 2019 (and out of my wheelhouse, I’m afraid), and is limited to just that one particular platform (normal Windows is fine ). Might be worth having a look over in #server-windows
I have same issue.
Windows Server 2019 up to date with latest Plex Server
Buffering on mac client after less than 10min (close client and relaunch restart for less than 5min)
Buffering sometimes on smart tv client
Seems that no buffering on Chrome web client
Source files are video less than 1Go
I am having the same issue between AppleTV and Windows 2019. I mean I know this is crazy but since you are a plex employee can’t you loop in your colleagues?
I don’t think it is a Server 2019 Problem. Why is it perfectly working on my LG Smart TV? The same Server, the same Movie.
Why is it perfectly working with a remote connection to my iPhone? The same Server, the same movie.
For me it happens only when I watch on a local AppleTV Client. Maybe a Bug in the AppleTV App?
I don’t know but it’s unusable atm.
Mhhh very service orientated - NOT!
Ohh guess what - it could be Microsofts fault - so we put our heads in the sand… there is no problem if I dont see it…
Sadly I just made this experience AFTER buying the plex pass.
But I’ll work hard to stop any fool whom might want to buy one.
That’s not what I said. I said I’m not the right person for Server 2019 issues, and it was best to go ask in our #server-windows section, with folks who are familiar with it. I’m macOS / Linux only
That’s ok for us!
But @lainalex asked you to kindly inform your colleagues directly (via Slack, MS Teams or any other company collaboration technique) to make them aware so that they fix this bug asap.
There are now 5-7 threads - same problem for all of the users but the responsible Plex guy keeps on hiding in the woods.
Can’t be the problem.
). Might be worth having a look over in 
