Plex server works intemittenly

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.41.3.9314
Player Version#: 10.24.1.2323

Hi All,
I’m running my Plex Server on a Lenovo ThinkCenter running Ubuntu. I have a PIA VPN installed on the server which is set to allow local traffic.

I mainly view my Plex media from my FireTV stick, and sometimes a browser. Most of the time, everything works fine. Then, for no identifiable reason, my players can not find the server. This lasts for 1-3 days, and then starts working again.

My server was set to get a dynamic IP, which I’ve just set to static. But if I understand the way Plex works, this shouldn’t matter.

I’ve tried turning off the VPN on the server, and it had no effect.

Under PlexWeb I have set “allow fallback to insecure connections” to “from the same network”. I don’t access anything off my home network.

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When it next fails, can you please go into Settings - Server - Troubleshooting (Plex/web) and download the Server logs (ZIP file) then attach it here ?

We’ll/I’ll look at it to see what failed.

3

Hi Chuck! Thanks so much for that offer. Here are the logs from tonight.

plex logs 2024-12-22.txt (4.2 MB)

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Oops, you said you wanted server logs, and I’d sent player logs in the post above. Attached you’ll find the server logs.

Plex Media Server Logs_2024-12-22_20-59-59.zip (2.2 MB)

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It appears the VPN is causing problems. Split tunneling and local access are not working.

Disable the VPN so it does not start when the system boots. Then stop / re-start Plex Media Server.

Give PMS two to three minutes to fully boot, then try to stream something locally.


Plex Media Server is not bypassing the VPN. The public IP address picked up by PMS changes when the VPN is active.

From Plex Media Server.log:

Dec 18, 2024 16:45:51.971 [133155776375608] DEBUG - PublicAddressManager: Got public IP from v4.plex.tv: 2.x.y.z

Dec 18, 2024 17:45:51.817 [133155763792696] DEBUG - PublicAddressManager: Got public IP from v4.plex.tv: 212.x.y.z

Also, local devices are connecting via Plex Relay, which means the stream is tunneled over the Internet through a host at plex.tv, then back to your place. The connection is limited to 1 Mbps.

This is when playing My Cousin Vinney on the Android TV. Notice the bandwidth limit of 1000 kbps.

From Plex Media Server.4.log:

Dec 17, 2024 17:34:56.810 [127410689289016] DEBUG - [Req#2443a/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Calculated bandwidth of 1197kbps exceeds bandwidth limit. Changing decision parameters provided by client to fit bandwidth limit of 1000kbps
Dec 17, 2024 17:34:56.810 [127410689289016] DEBUG - [Req#2443a/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Determining preferred transcode encoders through transcode only decision.
Dec 17, 2024 17:34:56.811 [127410689289016] DEBUG - [Req#2443a/Transcode] Streaming Resource: Reducing playback quality for 952kbps stream bitrate: video resolution to 720x390, audio channels to 2, quality to 0, disable video DS as 1499kbps is > the 842kbps available
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