Server Version#: 1.25.1.5286
Player Version#:Latest
Very frustrating that Plex has abandoned older smart TVs - I have a perfectly functioning Samsung Smart TV. Now it doesn’t connect to Plex. So after many years of usage (and the primary reason I choose Plex) - I now have a brick on my wall!
What version of Plex Server app on Synology DSM6 do I need to downgrade to in order to get this working again?!
Those old TVs won’t connect to downgraded servers as well. This is due to the TV vendors not offering updated root certificates to verify encrypted connections. This is not so much Plex “abandoning” older smart TVs… though a 2013 model is pretty ancient to be fair.
If that’s the issue in your setup, you should be able to bypass this restriction by configuring your setup to only use unencrypted connections (set Settings > [Server Name] > Network > Secure Connections to Disabled; some clients have a similar setting in the app settings, I’m not 100% sure that’s the case with the SmartHub apps).
It’s actually Samsung that stopped supporting it 
But look here for the TV fix, if you are unable to claim:
And here for PMS settings needed:
Am confused here. My Samsung TV has not had any manufacturer updates for years. I checked - there is zilch. So how did Samsung deploy this change? The only changes in my local environment have been Plex Server updates and Synology DSM updates.
I even have firewall rules blocking Samsung related IP/network addresses (these have been in place for several years too!). This has been in place since Samsung discontinued support for Skype on their TVs and I didn’t want previously installed Apps being removed automatically.
I checked my router logs for any traffic from all my internal devices very regularly. There has been nothing pushed to my Samsung TV.
The problem is two-folded
They stopped updating the firmware => Certificate updates are no longer accepted, since a certificate has an expiration date
The hardware in your TV sadly isn’t strong enough to handle new security protocols, that are mandatory due to the nasty world we live in
Samsung stopped updating the firmware in 2018.
So how was this change enforced? Plex was working on my TV this time last week, but not anymore.
I know cybersecurity is important = that’s why I’m employed for the largest IT Service Provide as a Senior Security Specialist 
Plex did some updates on plex.tv, that works on all supported platforms.
Do note, that you are using a 3rd. Party client, and your TV was never supported by Plex!
But regardless, I did give you a solution in a former post, and yes, need some work from you, and if not, I sadly only can recommend a device (Player) in front of your TV, like a Shield, or look for a new TV
Do, even though it sounds nasty, know, that the SMART-TV part of your TV is a computer, and it grows old!
Your TV is from 2013, and as such, an 8 year old computer, that simply can’t cope with modern security requirements
Okay its a Plex server side enforcement that has created the issue. Hence if I can force the Plexe Server into offline mode, it should work?
If it’s not Plex server side, then it must be the Plex App?
The age of TV is irrelevant, how was this implemented?
Plex Server Side
Plex Server App
Samsung TV
As for the workaround, running an internal proxy on another separate device is not a great alternative. If it could run on the same NAS that the Plex server is running on, then that makes it a viable solution.
Only needed for updating the client to claim
If already have a dedicated manual server in the app, and it’s allowed to access unauthenticated, no need
Beyond the workaround… some background on secure connections.
Devices use certificates to establish secure connections but they need to know which certificates to trust – this is handled via so called “root certificates” or “certificate authorities” which are installed on the device operating system.
Also, all certificates have expiration dates (at least the serious ones).
The root certificate on your TV that’s used to trust the certificate used by your Plex Server / app to establish their secure connections has expired. They probably have installed that years ago but without updating the TV, it’s no longer valid… therefore the TV no longer confirms that those connections are actually secure.
I’ll check the certs on the TV.
Been with Plex since 2017, would hate to move to Emby…
This topic was automatically closed 90 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.
