Server Version#: PlexMediaServer-1.23.1.4602-280ab6053-x86(3)
Player Version#: Not using
So I am a “light user”, and not a knowledgeable one at that. For a couple years now I put movies on my spare laptop “server” and watch on my TV via the app. Traditionally I place the movies in the folder linked to the account and then go to the WEB-based library view and can see that the movies are now available for access. But just this weekend I went to the web view and selected “my media” and it told be to download the app. “OK I thought”, they must have migrated things to an app. So I downloaded the app. Here is my issue… the app doesn’t launch. At. All. Literally nothing happens. I’ve tried uninstalling and restarting several times but the same result.
SO…
A) What happened that I cannot just use the web page to see my media? MUST I use the media center app?
B) If I must use, how do I get the Media Server app to launch?
From your description you already have the server installed and running.
Do you get the same error message / behavior if you open the bundled version of Plex’ web app? → try to open http://127.0.0.1:32400/web in your browser (127.0.0.1 refers to the local machine = your notebook if your browser is running on that notebook).
From what I’ve seen, this behavior can happen if you’re opening a version of the Plex Web app while either your server or your client are not signed in or not signed in to the same account. Did you maybe recently reset your Plex password? – that’s one of the situations that could easily trigger this.
No need to run another app – though the Plex for Windows or Plex HTPC apps are much more capable players that are able to reproduce your videos at better qualities. The web app is limited by the playback capabilities of the browser – and while Youtube & Co. make you feel a browser is a media playback device… it’s actually quite limited
OK so the moment I clicked on the hyperlink you had in your reply…“http://127…” it fired up a new tab and everything looked like normal! First of all THANK YOU. Second of all, knowing this, are you able to tell me why it occurred and how I keep it from happening again? From my point of view, at any time, I should be able to go to Plex.TV, log into my account, and have the access I am accustomed. Thanks again.
ALSO…Shouldn’t I be able to access my media by the means I described above (not by entering the full web address you so kindly provided) on any computer when I am away from the server PC itself?
You should… hence the remark to double check that your server is signed in with the same credentials. Given you’re able to see it from the local address, that means it’s at least not linked to a different account (some users get mixed up in a multitude of different accounts they use for different purposes). That leaves the scenario of your server having been signed out (e.g. as part of a password reset).
