Server Version#: 1.41.3.9314
Player Version#: 10.25.0.2461
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>
Plex server PC is connected to Router via ethernet cable. Previously, when on wifi on the same network, I could stream normally, and also off wifi.
Last week, something happened, but server is no longer available outside network. This happened in the past, maybe a year ago when I had manual port forwarding enabled, which I turned off and relied on UPNP and the problem resolved itself. But last week, it stopped working again.
I’ve tried Port forwarding, UPNP, tweaking firewall settings both on the router and in the plex PC, turning off the firewall entirely, Enabling and disabling IPv6 in both server settings and router, connecting the Plex PC directly to the ISP Modem (I can’t access the modem settings to set to Bridge Mode). Today I contacted the ISP and confirmed that I have CGNAT settings, they changed me to a static IP. I factory reset settings in my router, had to set up a new WIFI network, now even on the same network I get “Indirect” upload speeds (less than 1MBPS).
Plex Remote access says not available outside network, I can access it outside network but “indirectly” with speeds sub 1MBPS, both in and outside the network. I’ve retried all steps above with no luck. ISP suggested I contact Plex to whitelist my new static IP, not sure if that’s an actual step to take?
I’m honestly not sure what makes it a publicly routable IP, but I went to whatismyip.com and the IP address matches the one in my router settings. Is that right?
Verify that Windows has still classified its network connection as “private”. It must not be “public”, as that causes the Windows Firewall to close all ports to the outside.
No luck. Just to be safe I turned off all 3 Windows Firewalls and retested, same result. Can browse library when off network, but upload speed is around 700kbps.
This suggests that the client is still using a relay connection to the server.
Make sure that
a port forwarding is defined in the router’s settings
the target IP of the port forwarding is indeed pointing to the actual local IP address of the server machine
the public (WAN) port number of the port forwarding has been added to the Plex configuration, under Settings - [Server] - ‘Show Advanced’ - “Manually specify public port”
There should be only 1 in use at the same time. Never install several anti virus and/or firewall apps at once.
This maybe irrelevant, When you assign a Static IP or opt out of CGNAT, you need to power cycle yourr WAN Connection Box, Routers and Server. This should be preferably at once. Sometimes the ISP neglect to instruct the need.
1st; Download the manual for your specific router and save it for reference.
2nd; For your LAN disable any and all IPV6 for all devices, it does no good on a small LAN and causes connection and through put issues.
3rd; UPNP has security issues. It is best to turn that off and manually set up your router.
4th; Referring to your router’s manual, set up STATIC DHCP. It should be in your router’s LAN settings. Manually set an IP for your SERVER so that every time it boots and connects to your router it will be assigned the same IP and it’s LEASE will never expire.
5th; Referring your your router’s manual, set up manual port forwarding for port 32400 to your SERVER’s IP that your just set for STATIC DHCP.
6th; Make sure that your firewall has port 32400 open. AS Otto said, only use one!
7th; Go to your Plex settings, under Remote Access and set in the port you are using as shown below
I did all of this; didn’t think I needed to set the Static DHCP because the IP I fixed it as, was the one it was being automatically assigned anyway.
I didn’t mean to say I had multiple firewall programs installed, just in Windows security, there’s the option to turn off the firewall for Domain Network, Private Network, and Public Network. I’m not clear on the exact ramifications so just for a test run, I turned off firewall for all 3 and it wasn’t working.
But after setting the DHCP and turning off the Public Network Firewall, it started streaming normally again. Turned the Public Network Firewall back on, and it went indirect again 700kbps. So I’ll try and figure this part out now.
Finally, it fixed it! The firewall settings were a pain, I don’t get the logic but some post on Reddit mentioned adding Plex to the Outbound Connections as well as both TCP and UDP Inbound Connections, then closing and reopening Plex Server and now it works as old.
Manually changing firewall settings should not be necessary on Windows. Because Plex server will put in the necessary rules automatically on installation.
At least when using the default Windows Firewall, not some 3rd-party one.
If you don’t have a 3rd-party firewall software, I think your network connection is still mis-categorized. (i.e. not set to “private”)
I don’t have a 3rd party firewall software. Not sure which network configuration I should be changing otherwise? I could see that Plex permissions were already created in the firewall settings, but it wasn’t working until I went in and edited them specifically to create one for UDP, one for TCP, and one for outbound.
