Plex Keeps buffering

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.15.6.1079
Player Version#: 2.34.0.983-edb7fbf7

A little about my setup.
Synology NAS DS415+ (All files are stored on the NAS)
Router is ASUS RT-AC5300
TP-Link T1600G-28PS switch
CAT6 STP ran throughout the house.
HTPC which is dedicated to PLEX
Alienware Alpha, i7-4765T 2.0GHz processor, 8GB RAM, NVidia Graphics Card
All files are stored on my NAS
The Alpha is set with with PLEX server on it and read the files from my network from my NAS.

It seems that when I’m playing any 1080p file(MKV or MP4), it will buffer non-stop. So much that it has annoyed me enough that I am now currently using VLC and not having one issue at all. Just opened up Windows Explorer, found the file on my NAS and clicked play with VLC (streaming over my network) and viola! Not one buffer issue. I can fast forward, rewind, jump forward or back 30 seconds and it’s literally instant playback.
I can not even get Plex to play just normal (without fast forward, rewind, jump forward or back 30 seconds) without it buffering.

I’m not sure why this is the case but I would love to be able to resolve this. Is there anyone who can help me resolve this?

I grabbed my server logs but not sure which one to put on here.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Chris

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check if your PMP is transcoding instead of direct playing, easiest way to check is to play something in PMP and check plexweb, activity -> dashboard -> show details

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dan-the-man, It is set for Direct Play. I of course have checked this in my settings before I posted. Didn’t know I could check it on the plexweb app though. Thanks! Still buffering.

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have you actually checked it in plexweb it is actually direct playing or just assuming its the case based on the setting?

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I had a very similar issue with 4K videos. I had to turn on hardware decoding. I had to do it from the Plex Windows program(client). You go to TV Layout(on the top bar. Says “TV”) -> your avatar -> settings -> video -> hardware decoding.

I did this in Windows.

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I had this problem for a while, and just recently fixed it a few days ago. After trying to toggle random settings back and forth for literally months, I finally figured out the issue for me was with “secure connections”. Under the network option, I set “secure connections” to “Disabled”. I haven’t had the buffering issue a single time since I made the change.

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@dan-the-man, Yes, I have actually looked at this. My apologies for not making that clear but it does show it is direct playing. I physically checked this after you recommended it.

@asmcriminal, I tried to go into PMP and set it to hardware decoding and it didn’t help. I did change it back.

@jlucchetti_gmail_com, It is set to “Preferred” so I changed it to disabled. It didn’t help.

Keep the suggestions coming folks. I really appreciate the help!

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play something in PMP, wait for it to start buffering etc a few times, then post the PMP log on the forum - not the PMS log

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@dan-the-man, So tonight when I decided to do the test, I backed up all my log files to get you a fresh log file from PMP. The weird thing is that tonight it played absolutely just fine! It hasn’t do that in a LONG time. Totally weird. I wonder if removing the log files could make a difference? Now I’m stumped!

I am going to post two different log files. This first one is from last night. This is the log file where it was playing and buffering like crazy.

Many Thanks again for all the help!

EDIT
I was going to post my log files but it’s telling me that I can’t. Too many characters.

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