Internet Explorer 11 wont play MKV or AVI files since updating server to 1.8.3.4235

Plex Players Desktop Players
1

Yesterday, I was playing various .mkv and .avi files in Internet Explorer 11 without any issues. Last evening, I updated the server to version 1.8.3.4235, and now, every .mkv or .avi I try to play produce the error

Playback Error
Streaming this media is unsupported.

This happens on multiple computers. Trying to stream the same files in Chrome and Firefox works just fine.

I have already tried uninstalling Flash and then reinstalling, verifying that IE has the Add-on Enabled, but that didn’t help. When I scan the plex server logs, I don’t see any indication that the request to play the .mkv or .avi files is even reaching the server to process, so it would suggest that Internet Explorer is making the decision that it is not able to play these files before ever even contacting the server(?).

Other than updating the Plex server to the newest version last night, no other changes have been made on any of these computers that I have tested from.

2

Quick update, just updated my server to version 1.8.4.4249 and .MKV and .AVI files still don’t play in Internet Explorer 11 with the same error as originally reported…

Files with .MP4 extensions do work in IE11 (as they did in version 1.8.3.4235, but I neglected to mention).

.MKV and .AVI files will play in Firefox and Chrome in the new server version.

3

No comment from developers? Is there a more appropriate forum to report this?

4

Bumping for visibility. Would be great to know if I should be reporting this in a different forum?

5

@ryanthieme
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, as it’s not going to help you since I have little clue why it’s not working on your end, but, Using a Win10Pro based Plex server running 1.8.3, and using Internet Explorer 11 on another Win10Pro based machine on same LAN, I tested and can play 3 MKVs and 3 AVIs with no issue.
I’d start checking locally - anti-adware/virus/malware software, browser addons that shouldn’t be there (toolbars/etc), check Plex’s “Web” settings to ensure they aren’t restrictive or causing issue.

6

Did find this though - apparently you’re not alone.

7

I have same issue since last update - “Playback Error. Streaming this media is unsupported.” with Windows 7 and IE11

Seems to work ok in Chrome.

8

Pile me into the same problems category for both IE and FireTV. Anyways to roll back the server version… Jesus they can’t leave ■■■■ alone when it’s working.

9

I get the same problem when updating the plex version on Windows 7, Internet Explirer 11, but can see the files perfectly on chrome. Any help ???

10

@edubar11 said:
I get the same problem when updating the plex version on Windows 7, Internet Explirer 11, but can see the files perfectly on chrome. Any help ???
Go here. Read. Give more info and logs
@JamminR said:
https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/286366/getting-playback-error-streaming-this-media-is-unsupported

11

I rolled the server back and now all is fine. I’m not updating anything for a long time or at the very least I will be checking here for feedback before doing any upgrades.

12

Has this issue been fix yet? or is there a workaround?

13

@juststrange said:

  1. Has this issue been fix yet? 2) or is there a workaround?
  1. No. 2) Don’t use IE11 on Win7.
14

Most of the analysis of this issue is being done through https://forums.plex.tv/discussion/286366/getting-playback-error-streaming-this-media-is-unsupported/p1.

15

I have Just got this on opening Plex ( Internet Explorer 11 will not be supported in a future update. Please upgrade to a modern browser. ) As I don’t like to be forced to upgrade or change things that work perfectly well like Microsoft tried to do with Windows 10, It looks like I will have to find an alternative to Plex.