Manual server settings on TV/Xbox Plex app

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I am trying to reproduce a use case for a client who is experiencing an issue. I myself had no Plex experience before this was brought up to me. He is trying to utilize the Manual Server setting in the VIZIO TV Plex app to access his Plex server without having to log into the app on the TV. This was allegedly working prior to the TV taking an update, but post update it will only see the server while logged into his Plex account.

My first steps were to establish a Plex server on my desktop at home to learn how it works. I was able to successfully create the server, upload a few test images, and then assign my PC a static IP. After these steps, I was able to access the Plex server from my phone, but only while on the same local network the desktop is on, as I have not turned on remote access since it’s not applicable to the use case in question.

My next step was to utilize the Manual Server settings on a VIZIO TV running the same firmware to ensure I am also experiencing the issue. At first glace I am experiencing the same symptom, server is not able to be reached(I am using the internal IP listed in the Plex web UI). However, as a control I am also using the Plex app on an Xbox Series X. If the update from the VIZIO caused the issue, I would assume(although potentially incorrect) that the Xbox should still be unaffected. However, I am unable to make use of the Manual Server settings on the Xbox, either. Same result as the VIZIO TV.

Given the alleged cause of the problem on the VIZIO TV, I am trying to make sure I am not simply experiencing a case of user error due to my own ineptitude, or just inexperience. I have already searched Google, Reddit, and the support articles here on Plex and I’m having a hard time even finding this particular setup being discussed at all. Which, to be fair, could be that I don’t know the tags or terminology to find it.

I could not find a way to utilize Plex without logging into an account on Android or Windows, so as far as I can tell it seems to be a TV app feature. If anyone knows a non-TV centric device I can use to test this feature, I would love to know so I can test it. Any help at all is appreciated, just trying to get someone smarter than me to give me an idea of where I should be looking to figure this out.

Any relevant info I can think of is here:

ISP: Metronet fiber
Modem and router: Unknown model Metronet Fiber gateway running Ethernet to an Eero Pro 6E that’s in Bridge mode, then connected to a Google Nest router that has 2 Google Nest access points elsewhere in the home
TV, phone, and Xbox connection: WiFi to the Google Nest router
Desktop connection: Ethernet to the Google Nest router
TV and Xbox firmware: Up to date
Desktop and laptop OS: Windows 10 Pro
Phone model and OS: Oneplus 7T Pro running Oxygen OS 12.1

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Try testing with the Plex HTPC app on Windows. Select the “Windows” option at this link:
https://www.plex.tv/media-server-downloads/#plex-app

The HTPC app supports manually-specified servers.

Also, can you please share the local IP addresses of both the Plex Media Server host and those of the clients involved? The network configuration above seems like it might not be entirely flat, leading to some possible routing implications.

Edit:
Also, in your server’s settings, ensure you have correctly configured:
Settings → [Server Name] → Network → List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth

You need to be sure to include either the individual IP addresses of the clients, or the local subnet(s) from which clients receive their IP assignments. An example would be:
192.168.0.101,172.16.0.0/12,10.0.0.0/255.0.0.0

Note that they are separated by commas, with no spaces. You can use can use either CIDR notation or specify a subnet mask. You can use one or all of these options.

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My apologies for not replying sooner, I was unable to test these suggestions until now. I started out by just doing double duty on the desktop for convenience. The HTPC app on Windows behaved exactly like the VIZIO TV app and the Xbox app, until I entered the IP address of my desktop where you suggested. Now it allows me to see the test images without logging in when I utilize the manual server settings. I am out of time for right now, but I am thinking you solved my initial problems and I have a way forward now. I really appreciate your advice!

If I find myself unable to continue on my own, I will come back with that list of IP addresses. Once again, thanks for your assistance!

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I read this post yesterday but forgot to respond.

You’re welcome, and glad it helped!

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