Local access to server when offline

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

I’ve logged into my Plex account on the Media Server so it’s easy to access from any device just by logging into the Plex player on that device.

This works great except when my ISP has problems or any other reason I don’t have internet. This happened twice with my ISP last week, probably for maintenance late at night.

When I don’t have any internet, I can’t even access the server settings on the PC that the server is installed on.

I’d like to be able to use a manual server IP when I’m offline, but still use the linked account when online. Or at least be able to access the server to change settings to allow the players to connect when there’s no internet.

Any way I can achieve this?

2

You should be able to access the server using the local web app, if you define an exemption from the need to authenticate.
You can define one or several IP addresses or whole network(s).

Settings - Server - Network - (Show Advanced) - ‘List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth’
(make sure there are no spaces in the input field)
https://support.plex.tv/articles/200430283-network/

If the outage is already happening, shut down Plex server and edit the advanced server preferences by hand. The relevant field is named allowedNetworks
Only IP (ranges) in designated ‘private’ networks are allowed.

You might also want to change the value of secureConnections to 1, if it is set to 0, thus disabling the need for encrypted communication (which is impossible without internet connection).

For Windows you can prepare two .reg files with the necessary changes, so you can import them into the registry with a double click (again, while Plex server is shut down). So you can relatively conveniently switch back and forth between secured and local access modes.

Lastly, tell your Plex client that it is OK to fall back to unencrypted communication in the local network (only on those clients which offer this preference).

With these settings, you should be able to use also all client types which allow the manual definition of server IP addresses in their preferences.

1 Like
3

Thanks.

Adding 192.168.0.0/255.255.255.0 worked fine.

When I tested offline with the Samsung TV app, I can’t access the settings and I can’t make the side menu disappear. The width of the menu is cut off on the right side of the screen. Videos play fine though.

Using this is really just for emergencies when my internet is down. At least I know how to do it now. Thanks for the tips as well.

4

Keep in mind that this will allow unauthenticated access for the whole network. You can forget any access restrictions you might have defined for your kids…

5

You can use 192.168.0.0/24 alternatively.

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