Remote Access - Set server public IP manually

Plex Media Server Remote Access
1

Hi,

For people using a VPN, Plex will systematically ■■■■ up the remote access configuration.

Plex is pushing the public IP of the server to Plex internet services and it can’t be modified by the local admin. Consequence when using a VPN: the public IP Plex is loading is the VPN gateway IP, not the server IP.

An easy fix would be to allow the local admin to set a static public IP manually. Easy fix.

edit: I’m indeed referring to Settings >> Remote Access where you can already set a custom port manually.

Before, Plex was loading the public IP when starting the Plex server service. Then you could start the VPN and had no issue for remote access for days and days. However it seems a recent update is now refreshing the public IP on a regular basis (every hour or something like that).

If adding the possibility to manually set the public IP is too long/complexe (I doubt but I’m no dev), a workaround would be to go back to the previous method.

2

https://support.plex.tv/articles/200430283-network/

Custom server access URLs

3

Thanks for the tip, but it seems that only URLs can be set in this cell. If I buy a DNS and link it to my public IP, will it solve my issue?

Then all my friends from their TV will be able to reach my server by adding my Plex ID to their shares?

They won’t be able to enter any URL from their TV.

4

This URL can either contain an IP or a FQDN. Your choice.
If you need encryption (read: ‘secure connections’), then you need indeed a domain and a fitting security certificate.

The thing with this solution is: the URL gets posted to plex.tv, from where all entitled clients will get it fully automatically. There is no need to set the server IP manually.

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5

Well, it looks like this is the right answer to my need… however I have set “http://mypublicip”, saved, and nothing happens on my clients side. For example I’m using my smartphone connected to the 4G network right now and if I launch a film it keeps telling me I’m not connected to the server directly and therefore my quality will be downgraded.

Maybe it takes some time for the change to take effect on plex.tv side?

edit : I mean the Plex mobile app on the smartphone. I will never use a web browser to watch my plex content.

6

That’s not correct. Please read the documentation I linked above.

  1. You need to disable ‘Secure connections’
  2. You need to place a full URL, including the port number
7

Well, I’m sorry I feel like I’m bothering you with a dumb brain, but…

Here is a screenshot of what I have set, feeling like I’ve done exactly what you asked:

I have saved, restarted the server (on Windows) and it looks like nothing has changed from outside of my network:

Of course, when I enter manually the http://ip:port in a browser outside of my network, it works. Just to make sure you know I have set-up my router correctly.

8

Interesting topic of people complaining like I did: VPN no longer works - how do I use custom URLs - #10 by Code006

Looks like it takes some time for Plex.tv to update its database… so I’ll wait. unless you notice something wrong in my conf @OttoKerner :slight_smile:

9

That’s a good sign, already.

Yes, this would’ve been my recommendation, too.

Keep in mind that with a custom access URL, the ‘online status’ in Plex will never go green. You’ll have to revert to canyouseeme.org or similar services to check server availability.

Just reboot external client devices. In extreme cases you have to sign out of your plex account and back in, so the clients get an updated list of server access URLs to try.

10

Just so you know, it works after a little time :slight_smile:

I had to wait for about 10min. Works like a charm, happy man there :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

Thanks again for your support.

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