Philips 55PML9008: Plex cannot connect to local server

[TeWeBu]

Plex Software Version on TV: 5.73.2
Plex Media Server: 1.32.8.7639

I do not get no connection at all. Althoug the device is listed in “allowed devices” and I am correctly signed in to my plex pass account on the device. It even lists my server but say it cannot connect.

Smart TV: Philips 55PML9008
Plex Software Version on TV: 5.73.2
OS: Unknown
Allow UnSecure Connections: allways
Prefer UnSecure Connections in local network: allways
Firmware-Version on TV: TPN238E_238.002.142.111

Plex Media Server: 1.32.8.7639
Secure Connection: Prefferred
OS: Linux

Can anyone help? Funfact: via the Web-Browser of the TV I can access my Server with it’s local network name. Unfortunately the browser crasches regularely while whatching a movie.

Any support is highly appreciated.

Thank you all.

[TeWeBu]

Hi everyone.

I finally managed to identify and solve problem. Here are my findings in order to help anyone, who might stumble upon the same issue:

First you need to know, how exactly plex-players “find” your local plex server. Therefore please read this article: https://words.filippo.io/how-plex-is-doing-https-for-all-its-users/
A big thanks to Filippo Valsorda, who wrote it.

This new knowledge in mind, I reviewed the dns-queries, that where issued by my new TV, finding, that “[my-ip].[myIdentifyer].plex.direct” could not be resolved by my local dns-resolver, which happens to be unbound. I use pi-hole together with unbound, where the latter resolves any external adresses in my setup. Please read the following articel, if you want to know why and how: https://docs.pi-hole.net/guides/dns/unbound/

So I ordered my pi.hole to resolve all *.plex.direct adresses via the google-dns-server (8.8.8.8) which works fine.

Problem solved! My new tv got connected to my server immediately!

I hope, that this helps others, to resolve similar issues in one or another way.

By for now,

Thomas