This guide’s router screenshot is from the Asus RT-AC86U but most Asus will be the same. This guide is a simple port forward and is not taking into account multiple Plex Media Servers on the network, a double nat, or other semi-complex networking set up. This routers UPnP is pretty good so may not have to do this but worth knowing how to do.
In your web browser open the router page then on the left go to WAN under Advanced Settings.
At the top choose the Virtual Server/Port Forwarding Tab and make sure Enable Port Forwarding is enabled
fill out the top row to make a new port forward rule
a. Service Name = Plex (can be anything)
b. Source IP = Leave blank
c. Port Range = any port number not in use up to 65535, or just use 32400. generally high numbers are not in use. (this is also called the external or public port)
d. Local IP = The local IP address of your computer, if you click dropdown you might see your computers name which you can select instead of typing in IP
e. Local Port = 32400 ( you must use this number)
f. Protocol = TCP
g. Hit the + sign button at the end of the row. and it will move to the bottom.
In the Manually Specify Port field enter the same number you used in step 3c above for the Port Range in your router. In the image example I used 22222
Hit apply. (might have too hit Enable Remote Access again) Done
Additionally to make sure your server computer ( or any other devices on your network) maintains the same local IP address then you need to set a manually assign the IP to the device.
DHCP is how your router gives each device on your network a local IP address. This IP can change when the “lease time” is up. For port forwarding purposes it is useful to always have the same IP when on the network ( a “static” IP ).
all network interfaces on a computer have what is called a MAC address (has nothing to do with Apple computers). think of it like a serial number hard coded to the interface. Your Wifi and ethernet have different MAC addresses. Instructions below make it so whenever a network interface with a particular MAC address connects to this router it always gets the same IP address.
go to LAN settings
Click on DHCP Server tab
in the row if you don’t know them to type in manually
a. Client Name: click on drop down and find your computer by name or MAC address.
b. IP Address: will automatically fill in with the current one but you can change it to something else.
c. Hit the +
@BigWheel thank you for the info. Do you have any issues with the Wan dropping the connection? I have Frontier FIOS and from the ont outside I have a Cat6 ethernet that goes directly into the Asus WAN and it drops connection every 15 to 30 minutes. This is the only router that does it. Any recommendation?
@BigWheel by chance do you use your ASUS router with live TV on Plex? Ever since I installed the ASUS router I noticed multiple times a day I’m unable to tune random channels. I wait a couple hours and then I can tune the channel again no problem🤷♂️.
Happens on both remote and local connection. Disabled firewall, re did the virtual port forwarding, also tried open Nat port forwarding on the new routers, enabling or disabling qos, made no difference.
I don’t really use it because I get super bad reception were I am and only get 90% home shopping channels. I need to get an antenna on the roof.
A friend of mine had trouble tuning and he used http://genhelp.com/apps/signalgh.html to help him place his indoor antenna optimally in his house. it is iOS only adb meant for HDHomeruns but there might be android versions
I have my cable provider coming out to check the signals tomorrow, I’ll see if that fixes the issue. It might have just been odd timing with getting the ASUS router🤷♂️.
All fixed thank you for your help.! Turned out the wire in the Attic was going bad and disabling the Asus firewall fixed the issue. No more channel locks. The hardest part pinpointing it was when the channel would lock up on plex, the hdhomerun app would still work fine. Have a great day!