Plex Relay not working anymore?

Server Version#: Latest
Player Version#: Latest

I use plex relay to connect to my server when outside of my network, and it usually works, although it would sometimes just not connect. Now though, it has not worked in 5 days, on multiple devices. Is this a plex issue that anyone else is having?
I’d really prefer not to expose ports, and relay was a great way of avoiding that, but it is just not functioning anymore.

Thanks!

Seems I’ve found the problem, it was with my PIA VPN.
One thing I find odd though is that relay only works if remote access is turned on(even though no ports are forwarded).
Why is that? I thought relay was a separate alternative?