Plex prefers to stream from local server over the internet

Plex Media Server
1

Server Version#: 1.23.3.4707
Player Version#: v7.19.1 for ipadOS

I have a Plex server that is accessible both locally and through the internet. When I try to stream to another device on my local network it seems like it randomly chooses to connect through the local network or through the internet.

I have the following set in my custom server access URLs:
http://192.168.1.153:32400,https://mydomain.com
notice how I’ve put the local ip first in the hopes that it takes precedence but to no avail.

This issue is quite annoying and I have to use a third party player (Infuse) to watch my media because there is no apparent configuration in the Plex players to tell them to only stream through the LAN.

Is there a way to fix this?

2

If you just log into the device with an user that has access to your server, Plex will make that choice flawlessly.
Any particular reason for the manual configuration?

3

@CostaHT can you elaborate? In order for someone to find your server you need to configure the custom server access URLs in the settings afaik.

4

No need for that. If you are adding your personal devices, just click Sign In and it will give you a code which you can enter here from you phone.
To share you server with friends you can follow this guide

5

Yes I’ve done all that, my friend still needs to know the url of my server to connect to it though

6

You might have skipped some steps.

  1. Your friend create a Plex account
  2. You share your library with your friend’s account
  3. They accept the sharing request
  4. They log in their TV with their account

And your movies will show up for them.

7

I just tried it on my own account, I cleared everything from “Custom server access URLs“ and my phone cant see my server (and how could it see it if it doesnt know the url)

8

Are you authenticating on your phone with the same account that is in your server? (Settings → General)

9

Your Plex Media Server registers its public IP address and remote access port number with servers at plex.tv.

When a remote user (you or anyone you’ve shared with), launches the Plex client app on their device, it authenticates with the plex.tv servers. This verifies the user’s identity, to which Plex Media Servers they have access, and provides the public ip address & remote access port number of those servers.

Everything else is between the Plex client and the Plex Media Server - providing a listing of movies, streaming from the Plex Media Server to the Plex client, etc.

There is also the Plex Relay service, where everything is tunneled through servers at plex.tv. However, this it is meant as a backup when direct remote access is unavailable, and is limited to 1 Mbps (2 Mbps w/ a Plex Pass). If desired, Plex Relay can be disabled in Settings → Network. Uncheck the box next to “Enable Relay” and save changes.

You can monitor playback via Plex Dashboard → Now Playing. It will show you if a connection is local, remote, or indirect (indirect = Plex Relay). Also if the media is direct playing, direct streaming, or transcoding.

1 Like
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@FordGuy61 How can I tell the client to not stream remotely when the plex server is also on the same LAN?

11

Here is a list of items to check, then stream something and pull the log files.

  1. Make sure your server is set for debug, not verbose, level logging.
  • Go to Settings → Server_Name → General (Show Advanced)
  • Check the box for Enable Plex Media Server debug logging
  • Uncheck the box for Enable Plex Media Server verbose logging
  • Save Changes

  1. Windows Network Settings

If running Plex Media Server on Windows, make sure the network connection is set to private, not public.
In Windows 10, Settings → Network & Internet → Status.
Choose Properties if you need to reconfigure.

Any Windows based clients on your local network should also be set to Private.

When set to Public, Windows prevents that system from communicating with other systems on the same local network. That is fine when you are at a coffee shop cruising the Internet, but not so good when you are home and want to use Plex.


  1. VPN?

Are you running a VPN client on the Plex host or trying to tunnel Plex through a VPN installed on a router/firewall/etc?

If so, don’t.

In general, Plex and VPNs do not like each other. It is possible to run Plex through a VPN, but until you have things stabilized, do not do so (one less variable to consider while troubleshooting).


  1. Plex Media Server Settings → Network (show advanced)

Besides the custom server access URLs that should still be removed, have you added entries to any of the other fields - LAN networks, List of IP addresses, custom certificates? If so, what? It is not necessary to add anything in most cases.

Secure connections setting - Preferred/Required/Disabled? Suggest using Preferred while troubleshooting.


  1. Verify what is happening.

From a client on your local network (phone, streaming box, etc), play a movie/show/etc.
Monitor the playback in Plex Dashboard → Now Playing. Expand the view to show details for the individual tracks.

Post a screenshot to the thread. Mask any public IP address. Do not mask any private IP address (192.168.x.y, etc). You can crop the movie/show/etc name.


  1. Pull Log Files

Please pull a set of server log files via Settings → Troubleshooting.
Attach the entire ZIP file to the thread.

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