No Cast Players Found on Mac (Plex Media Server) - Works Fine from iPhone

Plex Media Server
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1

Hi everyone,

I’m experiencing an issue with casting from my Mac, which is also running as my Plex Media Server. When I try to cast content, I see “No players found” - but when I use my iPhone on the same network, all my cast targets appear correctly (2 Chromecasts). Doesn’t work in both Plex Web and macOS Plex app.

Setup details:

  • Mac is the Plex Media Server

  • Mac is connected via both Ethernet and Wi-Fi

  • No VPN in use

  • iPhone casting works perfectly - all devices are detected and streaming works without issues

  • Mac casting shows no available players

It seems strange that the server itself can’t detect the cast devices, while my iPhone on the same network has no problems finding them. I’ve tried both wired and wireless connections on the Mac with the same result.

I checked the logs and they ARE somehow discovered:
SSDP (DLNA-discovery):
[NSB/SSDP] SSDP arrived: 192.168.178.142 (Chromecast Woonkamer)
[NSB/SSDP] SSDP arrived: 192.168.178.62 (Chromecast Slaapkamer)

But…
Request: [127.0.0.1] GET /clients
Completed: [127.0.0.1] 200 GET /clients … 397 bytes

No advertising to Plex?

Has anyone else encountered this issue? Any suggestions on what might be blocking device discovery on macOS specifically?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Server Version#: 1.42.2.10156
Player: latest, downloaded media server and Plex today.

2

Plex Documentation → Casting Flinging & Remote Control → Supported Plex Companion Apps

Casting to Chromecast is available only via Android (mobile), iOS, or the Plex Web App (using Chrome browser).

According to the docs, casting from Plex Desktop to Chromecast is not supported.

Try Chrome if using Safari or another browser.


Edit: Additional information

Chromecast → Cast from Browser or Desktop

3

Which client is used? If Plex Web, which web browser?

Many web browsers nowadays have tightened security settings, so that “web sites” like the plex web app have no longer access to the local network.
You need to create an exception for the Plex web app.

I understand that Safari on MacOS has a very similar setting.

4

Same issue. No players found on macOS (Tahoe) for Plexamp (silicon) or Plex (universal) native apps. (would be great if this worked, and not just for iOS or Android).
Plex on Web tries to cast if using app.plex.tv, but then fails. (only working option is to cast the WHOLE tab to chromecast)
It is not an option to cast if accessing Plex locally (local network address, not app.plex.tv).