Issues with enabling remote access

Plex Media Server Remote Access
1

Server Version#: 1.43.5.11029
Player Version#: 1.115.0.426-4e960a1d

I’m running my Plex server on a Mac Mini connected to WiFi through a Deco Mesh X20 router that is connected to my main fiber gateway AT&T BGW320. I have UPnP enabled on the Deco, but I am unable to enable remote access (“Not available outside your network”) and I cannot connect to it on any of my devices. Do I need a static IP from AT&T, or is there some option I’m overlooking?

2

Have you put the att into passthrough mode with the deco so that your deco handles everything? Did you confirm the deco reports your public ip as it’s wan ip? If not, I can find some guides. @FordGuy61 has one I believe, I’ll have to search for it.

Once that’s done, suggest disabling UPnP and doing a manual port forward by setting a port in plex and creating the rule on the deco.

When that’s all done, you can test your port via https://canyouseeme.org/

3

You do not need a static IP address from AT&T.

My post is for port forwarding with a BGW320 (here).

As @veeejay mentions, you will need to place the BGW320 in passthrough mode. The Deco will then be the router in the network.

You can use UPnP. However, my experience is manual port forwarding is more reliable.

Suggest you try the following:

  1. Place the BGW320 in passthrough mode. I’ve never done this. A quick Google search should provide the necessary info. When successful, the Deco will display your public IPv4 WAN address (not a 192.168.x.y address).

  2. Configure the Deco to provide a fixed IP address to the Mac, using DHCP Reservation. This ensures the local IP address will always have the same local address.

  3. Configure the port forward in the Deco. Suggest using port 32400 for the external port for ease of setup. You can change it later if desired. AT&T does not block 32400 (or any other port that I can tell).

  4. Plex Settings → Network → Client Network = IPv4 Only.

  5. Restart Plex Media Server (to ensure the setting takes effect).

  6. Plex Settings → Remote Access. You must check the “manually specify public port” box and enter 32400.

  7. Enable (or Apply) and see if remote access works.

Note 1: If possible, connect the Mac Mini via Ethernet to one of the Deco units, then disable Wi-Fi on the Mac. Ethernet provides a more stable connection. Disable Wi-Fi as Plex does not like having multiple connections to the same network.

Note 2: The router will supply a different IP address to the Ethernet port than what is assigned to the Wi-Fi connection. Double check the DHCP reservation and the port forward statement in the router if you switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet.

Note 3: If possible, configure the Mac to use a public DNS server such as 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), 8.8.8.8 (Google), or 9.9.9.9 (Quad9).

4

Thank you! I completely forgot about the passthrough change. I got things up and running.

5

Actually, I may have spoke too soon. Plex is saying remote access if fully enabled, but none of the users outside my network are able to access my server. It says it’s offline for them.