I’m using a Mac Mini server for PMS, latest versions of software all the way around. I’ve run this setup for many years with few problems. It now seems that the server is unreachable outside my home network. When I’ve had that problem in the past, I usually find that the server or the Mac is frozen or has a similar problem, and I just reboot or restart and am good to go. Now, everything appears normal at the computer. In fact, waking up the computer and checking the Plex seems to solve the issue, and my remote users are able to connect again. Later, however, the problem recurs.
I keep a Safari window with the Plex server open and minimized at all times. Since this issue has started, I’ve noticed that when I go to the computer and bring up the window, then click Settings > Server, the little button next to Remote Access is red. However, after just two or three seconds the page updates and I get the green check mark. After that, Plex works remotely again. It’s almost as if the computer going to sleep disables remote access. Which doesn’t make sense to me because even during times when it’s unreachable off the network, it still works inside my house. I confirmed this just this afternoon – I was away from the house and tried to stream music to my phone (iOS), and it could not connect. When I got back home, I could stream music to my phone without problems. Playing a movie on Roku also worked fine. I went to check the computer and, as described above, saw the little red dot next to Remote Access, which quickly updated to a green check mark.
I’m really lost as to where to go with this. I have tried restarting the Plex server altogether. I don’t believe I’ve tried rebooting the Mac yet, so I’ll give that a try. But I just can’t figure out what’s going on. If the server or the computer goes “to sleep,” you’d think that would affect local playback as well as remote playback. But it doesn’t.
Can anyone help or offer advice. I’ve used Plex for almost as long as it’s been around and have a lifetime Plex Pass. I really depend on it to work.
