In new versions of the Chrome browser, and likely other browsers based on chromium such as Edge, there is a new setting that controls web sites’ access to devices in the local network. Firefox is also getting this setting, but I don’t think it has rolled out to all users yet.
More info about that in the Chrome Blog here New permission prompt for Local Network Access | Blog | Chrome for Developers
Info on FireFox with info on how to change setting Control personal device and local network permissions in Firefox | Firefox Help
This affects the web app and its ability to access a Plex server on the local network. If you deny the prompt, the web app will not be allowed to make a local connection to the Plex Media Server, meaning that it would instead have to try and make a remote or indirect connection to the server. For folks that do not subscribe, this will cause the web app to ask you to purchase/subscribe to a Remote Watch Pass or Plex Pass so it can try to connect remotely.
(Note: behavior may be different, depending how your specific router treats Local NAT traffic)
For Chrome, if you had blocked the sites access.
- While on app.plex.tv on the left side of the URL bar, hit the site settings button.
- Toggle the Local Network Access setting to the right so it is on.
The chrome browser setting where you can change for all sites behavior can be found at chrome://settings/content/localNetworkAccess
Note: if you are using MacOS or other Apple devices, then you may have to allow local access for particular apps in the devices’ own system settings.
