Inconsistent Remote Access Experience

These two documents may help:

Questions

  • Plex Media Server OS/Platform? Windows/Mac/Linux/Docker/etc.
  • ISP?
  • Router make/model?
  • On the PMS Settings → Remote Access page, is there any mention of double NAT?

Port Forward

Ensure the port forward is correctly configured.

Router:
  • Service Name: Plex (or anything, does not matter)
  • External Port: 32400 is the default, can change if desired.
  • Protocol: TCP
  • Internal Port: Always 32400
  • Internal IP Address: The IP address of the Plex Media Server (ex: 192.168.x.y).
  • Source IP: empty/all/none. You do not want to specify an IP address. You want to admit all IP addresses, since you will not always know the IP address of the remote client (ex: mobile phone).
Plex Media Server Settings → Remote Access + Show Advanced
  • Check the box to manually specify public port
  • Public Port: Must match External Port in router port forward config.

Examples


They are most likely connecting via Plex Relay, which is limited to 2 Mbps. To verify, monitor playback via Plex Dashboard → Now Playing + Expanded View. If the connection is Indirect, then it is using Plex Relay.