Hi, I’m brand new to the forums, so my apologies if I’m not composing this topic properly. In a nutshell, I recently updated my router as my ISP is retiring my old one. Its a DOCSIS 3.1 Technicolor Gateway, model number DTC4141 from Cox Communications.
I got a message saying the Plex app for windows (same with Android mobile, or Amazon Fire Stick versions) can not connect directly to the servers and that it may impact the quality of my streaming, and it does. Before the new router it would stream original quality, but now it converts to a lower resolution and sound codec. I have no clue why, tho I’m sure the new router is the culprit. I don’t even know where to begin. I’m not a Plex pro, and have a friend who shares his library with me.
I can do my best to provide more info if I’m guided where to find it. I did check for updates (version 1.32.5.7516), and everything appears to be current. I also tried uninstalling then reinstalling the app to no avail. I suspect router settings may be the problem, but I’m not very well versed with changing those. Not using a VPN. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
So you don’t have a server of your own? it is just for connecting to your friends server?
It is likely using Plex Relay because it cannot connect normally. but generally this is usually due to issues on the end of the person with the server.
I would check if the cox router has some sort of “internet security” type of setting that block things they determine to be malicious. Unfortunately some ISPs like Comcast/xfinity have decided Plex is malicious.
Yes, I’ve been using it to connect to my friend’s server, I dont think I have one of my own. It was working great, and was streaming everything in original quality before I got the new router.
I would not be surprised if there’s some sort of “internet security” feature enabled on the router, and deems Plex as malicious. Unfortunately, I’m an idiot when it comes to navigating router menus and figuring out what it might be. I did call Cox, even mentioned that, and of course according to them everything is set up properly… sigh.
An update, I just got off the phone with cox, and this time he was able to verify that this new router is just flat out not compatible with Plex. Apparently it’s just built in so there isn’t even a setting I can change.
Bummer, but at least I can stop pulling my hair out and searching through every setting looking for a solution. The somewhat good news is, as a long time customer, they sent and installed this new router free of charge, so at least I’m not out anything there. It does appear I’ll be needing a different router if I want original quality streaming tho.
Big thanks to BigWheel for the fast reply and at least giving me some idea of which tree I needed to bark up for some answers!
if you are not running your own server then that should not matter. But I changed the title of the topic to include the “Cox” so maybe someone else who has that ISP may know something
Thanks, much appreciated. In the meantime if some new movie comes out that I really want to watch in its original form I can always hook up the old router and use it until they officially “retire” it. I wasn’t given a date as to when that’s going to happen, just that one day soon, out of the blue it will stop working. I’ve always used 3rd party routers in the past anyway. The only reason I went with there’s this time is because it was all free, including installation.
