Server Version#: 1.18.4.2171
Player Version#: Ios and Mac latest
When checking remote access function page it shows " Not available outside your network". I can enable and it shows " Fully accessible outside your network" for approximately 5 seconds then reverts back to the not available message. I can then connect to my PMS from my player with no issues and stream but it prompts that it is not a direct connection. I am using a different port and VPN. I have not tried without VPN as I do not want my open ports probed that most people use for plex.
Using Netgear N8000 router. Happens with both server types, and either connected to USA server or connected to Europe server.
VPNs are tricky.
Have you already tried the remote access troubleshooting?
If all you want to achieve with the VPN is to avoid exposing a „common“ port… why not use a port forward on your router and assign it to a „less common“ port? You’re not bound to 32400… there’s literally 10,000s of options
No clue why remote streaming would be limited to 2mbps tops when GB fiber is run to the home and Plex should have zero relay to any streaming other than to validate the login credentials. If streaming is passing through Plex servers before being pushed to media players remotely (a reason I would see capping Mbps), there is a huge privacy flaw in the system.
It seems you didn’t really read the support articles or comments… at least not the one posted by FordGuy61.
Please don’t just use one element of each response you didn’t like…
If you depend on using a VPN that’ll make things harder for Plex to sort out the network communication. For some users that results in issues where they cannot establish a remote connection or where they end up with the Plex Relay (as in your case).
The support article posted by Ford explains what that relay does. Admittedly the basic troubleshooting linked in that article won’t be of much help in your VPN situation.
I consider both of us will be happy to help if you’ve got a specific question / follow up.
Since updating to the latest releases from Jan 1 I was having many local network connection issues to my servers from all platforms of players. After sorting all that out I set up remote through the guides on plex. The initial attempt to set up I had no issues for 24hrs using VPN and was able to connect remote (via relay it looks like) even though my server showed connected green with no issues. After those 24hrs I am no longer able to connect remote. IT does show connected and green for 5 seconds then it turns to not connected and red.
If I disable VPN, I can enable remote on that server (different port than 32400) and it connects and works fine no issues other than the relay issue. It happens on cellular or wifi remotely every time.
Are there any things on my end I can do to check what the VPN would be blocking in the application that plex requires?
EDIT:
I just realized vpn service automatically connects via UDP so I changed to TCP and still have the same issue. Looks like I can only connect remote with no VPN enabled.
EDIT2:
Disabled VPN DNS management and now I can access remote even with the “unavailable” message and I still however get the non direct connection message. So it looks like however I connect I never get a true direct connection. I am testing on OSX player with this right now and cellular data.
Still always getting the relay connection with this server and vpn. This past weekend I was only able to obtain 380i quality (would not show higher option) however I believe I may have been on a DSL with the device using player. At one point I was able to get 480i. Server is on 100mbps cable internet and plays 1080p on local network. IT seems that if the connection is via VPN, it automatically connects via relay. With VPN disabled it connects with no issues but I have not checked quality yet.
Im really at the point where I would rather just manually load the movies I may watch onto my laptop and use vlc to watch them. That would deplete the purpose of having a PMS in the first place though.
