Variety of different issues to raise here; which (all) may be related to a similar issue. To try and cut out the extraneous background data; I first started using PlexMediaServer with a PS3 as a DLNA client. As my media collection grew; the limitations of the PS3’s UI grew a little more than annoying; so I moved into using the Plex App on the PS4… Which is when things started to get a little weird.
When streaming to the PS3 over DLNA I never had an issue with playback when my ISP cut-out. When I moved to the Plex PS4 App I started loosing playback… whenever the internet dropped out. Which… odd? I’ve kind of just tolerated the drop-outs; swapping back to the internal Playstation DLNA media players whenever my ISP just decided to stop working overnight.
More recently though I tried the Plex App on a wireless connection Windows 10 tablet; and ran into an issue where despite being on the same network as the server… the Plex app kept telling me the Server wasn’t available. I was only able to get to the server on the Plex App by telling the server to only prefer secure connections; and telling the app to accept insecure connections on the same network.
That behavior is also demonstrating itself on my wired desktop:
Both the Win10 store app and the Plex Media Player insist that I have an indirect connection… and give me pop-ups telling me to get more information about Plex Relay… when my desktop is on 192.168.11.103; and my server is on 192.168.11.142
Huh?
That um..
What?
I’ve gone over the Plex Server Settings; made sure GDM was enabled and that the DLNA server was turned on. As far as I can tell everything seems to be configured for the Plex apps to make a direct connection to the server; but they just… well… can’t. I’m also now wondering if this Indirect Connection through the Plex App is also why the PS4 Plex App keeps cutting out everytime the ISP lives down to their reputation…
@Saist said:
More recently though I tried the Plex App on a wireless connection Windows 10 tablet; and ran into an issue where despite being on the same network as the server… the Plex app kept telling me the Server wasn’t available. I was only able to get to the server on the Plex App by telling the server to only prefer secure connections; and telling the app to accept insecure connections on the same network.
Both the Win10 store app and the Plex Media Player insist that I have an indirect connection… and give me pop-ups telling me to get more information about Plex Relay… when my desktop is on 192.168.11.103; and my server is on 192.168.11.142
Tell your router to use Google’s public DNS servers (8.8.8.8 + 8.8.4.4) instead of those supplied by your ISP.
The PS4 app needs connectivity to plex.tv to find the Plex server.
The PS4 cannot use GDM, because 3rd party apps (which the Plex app is on the PS) are not allowed to open a so-called ‘port’ on the network inteface.
It is a restriction imposed by Sony. Their own apps don’t play by the same rules (which is the reason why the Sony DLNA client works.)
Otto: already on GDNS as primary and seconary with OpenDNS as the tertiary. That isn’t the problem.
PS4 App: I get that it needs an active internet connection to verify Plex Pass Status and “locate” the server address. Locating and authenticating the server is one thing.That the PS4 does not use GDM either is not an issue at hand.
A Stream DROPPING WHILE PLAYING should be completely separate from server discovery. Once the server has been located and authenticated the connection should be local only.
Nor does this answer any of the questions over why the Windows 10 apps are explicitly stating there is only an Indirect Connection; nor why they cannot establish a direct connection… Despite being on the same physically cable linked network.
@Saist said:
A Stream DROPPING WHILE PLAYING should be completely separate from server discovery. Once the server has been located and authenticated the connection should be local only.
Sorry, I misread that.
Nor does this answer any of the questions over why the Windows 10 apps are explicitly stating there is only an Indirect Connection; nor why they cannot establish a direct connection… Despite being on the same physically cable linked network.
The symptoms you describe though are typical when ‘DNS rebinding protection’ is kicking in on the router, which prevents secure connections from working.
I’d disable Secure Connections on the server (then restart the server!) and watch if it makes a difference.
Same issues here with the INDIRECT connection. I started another thread but no answer from Plex Team.
1.) The question is how do we creat the exemption rule. The page that explains the exemption rules is not clear on how to add it generally to other routers that have the Domain White Listing and DNS Forwarding rules. I have asked this question and no one has been able to answer it.
2.) I have deactivated Firewalls, Antivirus, etc. with no avail. This has to be addressed since a relay connection in someones own home does not cut it. As many of us are lifetime plex pass members it would be nice if the team addressed this.
3.) Switching from OPEN DNS to Googles DNS did not fix the issue.
4.) Also, another question not answered is does the DVR beta effect this (yes, someone will respond to post this in DVR BETA). Has nothing to do with that. This is a simple question for the PLEX team. Do we need to be on the latest stable build for the INDIRECT issue to be resolved?
Yes, I now have the same issue. I just got the new Google Wifi router system and now even the computer that is HOSTING the plex server is only connecting as “indirect”. I have all of the setting for “secure” and “remote access” right (none of those changed with the new router). I need to know if I need port forwarding or what else. And yes, my DNS is 8.8.8.8 (Google).
Similar issue here. Using Windows 10 and on my home network Microsoft Edge and the Plex Windows Store App always say Indirect, however Firefox and IE are fine and play direct. NOTE: Server is not the same PC as playback PC.
Weird - any ideas?
Some clarification: If I open a browser and navigate to {server ip}:32400/web I can connect directly. But if I connect via https://app.plex.tv/web/app I can only connect indirectly. In essence the Roku Plex app only connects indirectly.
Same issue here. I run a Plex server on Windows 10, and when I connect to it from my Mac on the same network using app.plex.tv, the connection is Indirect. If I connect using {server ip}:32400/web it connects as expected.
I’m seeing the same thing as Nelson Ray and Cameron. Both wired and wireless connections on my local network make an indirect connection when going to app.plex.tv but connect as I’d want if using the IP address. It makes me question whether my mobile Plex app and Roku Plex app are making direct or indirect connections.
I’m running a pfSense firewall/router and a UniFi managed switch. No VLANs or anything complicated yet.
This worked for me. Added this text into my pfSense Unbound DNS Resolver custom options, and it worked immediately. Indirect Connection now shows as being Nearby.
So, for anyone else that sat there wondering why the pfSense custom options text doesn’t work, you have to enter a newline after it. If you don’t, it will not work.
I’m having this issue as well, but with a user UVERSE 5268ac router. Can’t change any of the DNS settings either. Anyone else have a workaround for this?
