I’m running the Plex Media Server on my desktop computer. (Home Office).
I use my vizio tv at home to watch my content. Every now and then - usually related to an update of the PMS, I run into error messages with my tv unable to connect or something like that. When I go to my computer - I see error message saying “Not Available outside your network”.
In the past I have gone into my router setting and turned UPnP on and off, adjusted the port forwarding info, turned things on and off (router, modem, computer)…basically keep hammering away at it, and eventually it starts working again. I can’t figure out what causes the issue to pop up at all (I think it has someting to do with updates coming through) and I have not idea what actually gets it working again.
One reason I can’t seem to figure this out - I always end up with the same settings on my router, and it always works in the end. It seems like something is stuck somewhere, and the switch on and off or adjusting and changing back settings gets it to work again. It is a royal PITA to get this working properly.
I also access my content remotely - and then it is an even bigger pain, as I have to log into my server remotely and try to troubleshoot it.
Any ideas on how to make this smoother.
I am using a DLink Dir-825 router.
Thanks for some troubleshooting tips - I have already gone through those on the Plex website.
update - when I go to the PMS/server/remote access page. I have tried the “RETRY” button, and ti will retry. For a split second I will get green text at the top saying “fully accessibly…” then the text changes, and it turns red.
Avoid using UPNP if stability is of a concern (if not alone for the security issues involved with UPNP). Try the manual port forward instead and see if that doesn’t work better.
Thanks for the tip. I had UPnP turned on, I have turned it on and off - still doesn’t work. I think I had been using it with UPnP on, and manual portforwarding. It worked before.
I now have it off, and have tried to set port forwarding, and have no connection (with my cellphone I do get an indirect connection, not sure what that means).
I have port forwarding set up to forward to port 32400 the default, and it is still not working. I use a website called “Open Port Check” and my other ports that I have specified to be open are open.
I have also tried using “virtual servers” from my D link control page. Still no go.
I just tried a new thing - I turned windows firewall off - and my port was suddenly open. If I close the firewall, it closes again. So this appears to be a windows firewall issue. I have gone into the “Allow Apps to communicate through Windows Firewall” and have checked the following to be open
Plex
Plex DLNA Server
Plex Media Server
Plex Media Server DLNA Service
Plex Scripting Host
I have checked private and public on these - please advise if this is the best setting?
think I got it - I needed to select Plex Media Server again under the list of Windows Firewall “Allow and App through…”
When I go to this listing - there are two versions of Plex MEdia SErver, one must be the old one. At some point I’ll try to figure out how to delete the old one, as well as which ones I need to leave available and which ones not to.
This happened again - for anyone else dealing with this. I think it was either due to a Windows 10 update or a Plex update. I’m leaning towards a Windows update.
This is how I got it to work again - I’m not sure if every step is necessary, but it is what I did.
Change “Allow an app or feature through windows Firewall” to allow the new plex update to work.
I unplugged both router and modem. Wait at least thirty seconds. Plug in router. Then 30 seconds+ later plug in modem.
Disable port forwarding. Wait for router to reset.
Enable port forwarding.
Then turn off Windows Firewall.
Try to connect - it should connect at this point. Then turn firewall back on.
I am sure some of these steps didn’t do anything, but a couple of them probably did it. I’m just not sure which ones. It appears to be working again.
Wait - I spoke too soon, it is not working again. I think it has something to do with windows firewall, although I have given plex access through the firewall, or at least I think I have.
Ok. I have it narrowed down to the following - I think.
If I turn off windows firewall under “Private Network Settings”, but leave it on for Public Network Settings then plex appears to be working remotely.
I have added Plex as an app to be allowed thru, but without that Private Network setting turned off, it doesn’t work remotely.
