Bumping this back up because I have the same problem now. My internal WiFi started getting flaky, so I just replaced it with a USB WiFi dongle. Everything is working great except Plex is giving me the same “Not available outside your network” message. It also flashes a green exclamation mark for about one second before turning red and saying not available. I haven’t changed any settings, just the WiFi card. The IP address and port forward are showing correctly. I can connect with an indirect connection outside the network, but not directly. And the indirect connection freezes.
UPDATE. I just posted 30 minutes ago, but I may have just solved my version of the issue. I ran through my device list in my router settings and noticed that I have two different entries for the PC that runs my Plex server. One of the entries is for the 2.4ghz SSID and the second is for the 5ghz SSID. I have the PC running on the 5ghz now, but the port forward was tied to the 2.4ghz. I deleted that port forward and added it to the 5ghz entry. After that, I could see the open port 32400 on canyouseeme.org, so I knew I had made a positive step. I restarted the Plex server on the PC (by exiting and restarting the server app), and BOOM–it showed as connected and available immediately.
I guess it’s my fault that I couldn’t see two entries for the same PC on my DHCP list, but at least it’s fixed for me now.
I had the same problem. Turning off the VPN solved the issue. I hope Plex fixes this as some point. Now that I know that is the problem I can work around it for now.
Click on internet tray icon in the task bar, select “properties” under the internet you wish to use, under Network Profile select “Private” instead of Public, when on public windows hides your computer from other devices on the network.
I have the same Internet shows active for two seconds then drops issue. But have some more tests and more complex items.
I have two Plex accounts and run 3 servers on each account, one Synology Plex and two Windows Plex. All reside at one location behind an Asus router. I use port forwarding such that each port forwards to a different server on 32400. I have checked for suggested fixes above like DDOS, no dual NICs or WiFi, No VPN.
However interestingly
Plex Account A, all three servers work perfectly fine.
Plex Account B, only Synology server if working ok.
Both Windows servers have the issue above. They are accessible inside the network, but Internet fails after a few seconds.
Both Plex Accounts are full lifetime accounts an are configured the same.
I created a new windows VM and installed Plex server on Account B, set up firewall port forwarding the same as account A but Plex Account B will not let the Windows servers work through the firewall.
But Account A still working perfectly fine.
Any suggestions please, my hair is officially pulled out.
Couple of extra points, I have tried both GA release and Beta and have tried this through at least one Plex code update.
Also all NICs are set to private.
Just wanted to add to the great info in this thread.
I’m running Plex on a headless Ubuntu server and Asus router. Disabling my VPN, enabling UPNP and secure UPNP, and disabling port forwarding worked. Another combination that worked was disabled VPN, port forwarding enabled, and UPnP enable while having secure UPnP disabled which is not ideal.
I haven’t tried using the VPN directly on my router, but that might be a solution, but for now, I just turn it off until it’s needed.
