Plex Player crashes on Android Auto with "Plex doesn't appear to be working at the moment"

Server Version#: 1.30.2.6563
Player Version#: 9.15.0.38159 (c85b2f1b)
Android Auto#: 8.7.630264-release

Recently, my Plex player starting crashing every time I’m playing something through Android Auto. It displays the message “Plex doesn’t appear to be working at the moment” and cuts off playing the stream (after 28 seconds or so). It then attempts to load again the interface and fetch the content of the playlist.

I’ve even downloaded the content on the Plex app and it does the same thing. It works fine when not using Android Auto.

I’ve cleared the cache and data from the Plex app, signed back in, same result, again using downloaded content or streamed.

Android Auto works fine with any other radio / streaming app.

I’m using Android Auto wired through USB, I’ve tried a separate USB lead and port, same result.

Both apps have battery optimisation disabled.

The same setup has been working fine for quite a few years. I cannot advise which update (Plex or Android Auto) caused this stop working.

I hope someone can shed some light on this. Many thanks.

Plexamp works absolutely fine.