Plex media play local server access without authentication

[msmcknight]

Server Version#: 1.13.9.5439
Player Version#: 2.20.0.909-46413dd1-windows-x64 (Windows 7)

I just installed the latest PMP and now I can’t access my local servers without logging in to plex online. I don’t understand why plex clients require internet login to access local servers only? I have no interest whatsoever in accessing my media from outside my network. If I did, I could understand the need to authenticate, but with local-only clients and servers, why is there this requirement?

With the latest client, it appears as though it is checking for a default route. If there is no default route at all, I can access my local media without any issue.

If there is a default route – even a bad one, or with access to plex.tv servers blocked at the firewall, the client just spins in a loop trying to access various servers at eu-west-1.compute.amazonaws.com.

So, if the client has no internet access at all, PMP will let you use local servers and media without any issue. But, if there is a default route set at all, it will fail to access local servers without first logging into plex.tv.

Note that this is the case even with the local server manually configured in PMP. It appears as though the client will connect to the local server, but won’t let you do anything with it until you authenticate externally.

My biggest question is, why? I remember when plex would let you connect to local servers without any need for external authentication or connectivity if all you wanted to do is watch media on your local network. The only reason I can come up with is that plex wants insight into what media we have on our servers. Otherwise, why would we need a connection to their servers at all?

I guess the second question is, can this be overcome? Am I simply missing something that’s keeping this from working? I thought having my clients or networks listed in “List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth” would avoid these issues, but it seems as though that’s no longer the case.

If anyone can help, or if anyone from Plex can give a reason as to why this external communication is becoming more and more a requirement, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to you all in advance!

[kamhouse]

I just ran into this issue. No way to get Plex Media Player to connect locally. Like you, I remember when it would detect a local server and allow connections without authentication.

Unless they come up with a fix for this I will be canceling my Plex Pass renewal and moving platforms. That’s just a nonsense requirement.

[melrhombus]

No issue here… my internet went down yesterday and I was able to watch a movie without a problem.
I don’t use Plex Home though… just the regular accounts.

[msmcknight]

Try setting up a new installation without logging into plex at all. Most likely you had previously logged into plex.tv and your credentials were cached. If you never login to plex.tc, you cannot access local media at all with the newest release of PMP.