Server Version#: 1.28.2.6151 x64
Player Version#: 9.8.1.35118 (Android) + 1.53.1.3225-c0bc6cc4
Hi,
I have a Windows Server 22 PMS instance that has been stable for ~1+ years other than the recent lockup issue that has been fixed with the latest update.
For the past ~2 months I have been battling random complaints for people saying their sessions are buffering to the point of not being watchable (plays for a second, yellow spin circle, constant stutters, etc). Pausing the video and waiting ~1 minute does not fix this issue.
Directly play only, transcoding disabled.
Relay disabled
Watching anything from 500mb videos, live TV from HDHomeRun, 10gb x265 files etc. All from various internet connections and ISPs. HDHomeRun seems to be the biggest troublemaker.
I’ll watch the data output on the dashboard and Plex uses ~30% of available bandwidth with one connection having issues. When I try it on my internet device, the same video video will play fine and will use much more bandwith.
I have had two phones, both using 5g networks, watching the exact same thing right next to each other and one plays fine and the other does not. After closing/reloading Plex sometimes it will start working agian (although lately this hasnt fixed it).
I’ve monitored and stress tested upstream throughput and while it does seem to have a burst aspect to it it does seem to be stable. Its so strange, it slowly is getting worse. I’ve rebooted all equipment a million times.
I was able to grab a screenshot of it happening live.
Afterwards I stress tested the servers upload speed using 100mb file incriments, it did occasionally slow down to ~35mbps but for the most part stayed at 50bmps.
I also tried to tunnel the traffic though a VPN incase there was any load balancing or QOS throttling this, it did not solve the issue. Maybe its a problem at the modem / ISP?
Some ISPs are trying to “manage” (read “throttle”) Plex traffic of their cutomers.
You should avoid using the default external Plex port of 32400 to make it not too easy for them to identify your Plex data.
I am not too faithful it will solve the issue as even over the internet tunnneled via a VPN still has this problem. I am considering dumping my firewall/router for a new one.
I just tested a PC directly connected to the modem and the speeds were a bit more consistent, not sure yet though. Currently virtualizing my firewall in ESXi
Follow up to this incase anyone has similar issues,
Plex does indeed want to saturate the line, in my case it was not. I tested all my equipment and narrowed down the problem to the firewall/router or a load limiting by the ISP. Chaning the port number did not fix the problem.
The problem was for some reason my virtualized firewall (Untangle) was limiting the upstream throughput. Checked everywhere, no fancy packet inspecting, no QOS, etc. Downstream had no problems so it was difficult to think that a line that can do 940mbps down cannot saturate upstream 60mbps.
Using the basic router in a TP-Link AC router did the trick. Back in business, Plex is saturating the line once again. Live TV is working flawless over the internet!
