Plexamp Unable to Connect to Server on Android Auto Until I Browse on My Phone

Plex Labs
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1

About 2 weeks ago Plexamp started having issues connecting to my server when using Plexamp in Android Auto. It will continue playing music from my server but if I try to change what I’m listening to then it can’t find my server (I just get an “unable to connect to server” message).

I can browse my library on my server, and change what I’m listening to, in Plexamp on my phone - and from then on my library is accessible from Plexamp in Android Auto. But the next time I drive my car, Plexamp in Android Auto can’t find my server…

2

Please reproduce the issue, then fetch the Plexamp logs.

3

This may just be pre-cached music.

4

Ok done… This morning at about 09:27 I had the issue - no connection to the library in Android Auto until I browsed the library on my actual handset (which was close to 09:28). Log attached - I’ve clipped it and tried to anonymise (IP adresses etc) - hopefully I haven’t made it useless…
Plexamp.log (131.3 KB)

5 
Jul 21, 2024 09:29:20.346 [0xc5afb770] ERROR - Network: Failed request for https://XXX-XX-XX-XX.blahblah.plex.direct:32400/playQueues/1616?Version=4%2E11%2E0 with response code -7 and 1 bytes.
...
Jul 21, 2024 09:27:49.772 [Javascript] WARNING - DEVICE: Server connection https://XXX-XXX-XXX-XXX.blahblah.plex.direct:16670 didn't work for SERVERNAME: HTTP status -28

It’s unable to get back to your server, -7 is “can’t connect”, -28 is a timeout.

Low-level networking error, due either to something e.g. cellular provider blocking, or misconfigured router.

I suggest you use ports 443 or 8443, much less likely to be messed with.

6

Yeah ok, I’ll try a different port.

But that doesn’t explain (to me anyway) why it always works when browsing using my phone, and not on the screen in my car (until after I’ve done so on my phone).

7

Ok just an update it doesn’t matter whether I change ports or not - same behaviour. No problems playing on my phone, ever. The only issue is using Plexamp in Android Auto and only until I select music using my phone.

It’s like the Plexamp app doesn’t have network permissions in Android Auto mode until Plexamp uses the network.

8

Really strange, I can’t say I’ve heard of this before :frowning:

9

Do you use a VPN on your phone? I got a pop-up message saying something about vpn needs to be disabled for android auto to work correctly. Might not be anything to do with your issue, but thought worth mentioning

10

definitely worth mentioning but no, i don’t use a VPN on my phone

11

I’ve started using Symfonium - I haven’t had this issue with Symfonium (which is working well) but I’m still having it with Plexamp.

12

Could phones battery saver and/or restrict background data be enabled for plexamp?

13

no battery/data savings are enabled for plexamp.

i’ve set up Jellyfin and Finamp - it’s working a treat. Something has clearly broken in Plexamp Android Auto, very disappointing that the paid option doesn’t work while the FOSS alternative does.

I’ll keep checking Plexamp (in AA) periodically, I think it’s UI is better than Finamp so i’ll switch back if Plexamp ever gets fixed.

14

I don’t have any problems with plexamp & AA and I use it daily.

Could you try clearing plexamp storage/cache and uninstalling/reinstalling?

15

Did you end up solving this? This started happening this week with my Galaxy A23

16

It’s still happening and there’s another topic on it. Frustrating that there seems to be no Dev response other than “Huh, it shouldn’t work this way.”

Lifetime Plex Pass subscriber here and I can’t say I’m pleased.

17

I solved it by switching to Jellyfin and using the beta version of Finamp. It’s got a few little bugs in it, but nothing as annoying as the Plexamp bug.

18

Agreed, I paid for Plex Pass thinking that would mean better support than something like Jellyfin. But I was wrong.

1 Like
19

fwiw I messaged Elan and they’re on vaca. So we’ll have to see what’s weighed in on the issue once they return.

20

I’m having the same issue. Something is definitely broken in the last few updates.