Server Version#:1.42.2.10156
Player Version#:2026.4.1(9710500026)
While away from home access to my Plex server remotely has always been inconsistent, with one device not connecting to my library, then trying another works and then the original device will also start working.
On this occasion the above scenario occurred for the first few days of my trip, but then it stopped working for any device.
Returning home Plex is available on my local network, but not available remotely?
My Plex server is on a QNAP NAS TS-453 with QTS 5.2.9.3410 and a fixed IP address. Plex server Version 1.42.2. Router TP-link Archer VR2800 with Firmware 0.7.0.0.9.1 v006c.0 Build 210313 Rel.74106n.
I have restarted the NAS, Router and the Plex Server, Restarted my devices and reinstalled the Android Apps.
I have followed all the instructions in the Troubleshooting Remote Access guide, trying the automatic setup (UPnP) which I can see in my router UPnP server list as Plex Media Server External Port of 15850 TCP correct static IP and Internal port 32400.
I have also followed the Advance option of manually specifying the port (32400), ensuring that the Plex server and router configuration (Virtual Server in the Router) match and the preferred network interface in Plex is the correct static IP.
I’m now basically baffled where to try next? Any help to fix this would be fantastic.
Keep following the troubleshooting guide…
Can you see/access the forwarded public port from outside your home network (e.g. using a service like canyouseeme.org)?
That implies there’s an issue between „the internet“ and your router (incl. your router configuration).
Did you compare the public IP recognized by canyouseeme.org with the WAN IP of your router (and the public IP listed in the remote access settings of your server)?
If they’re different, you might be in a CGNAT setup where your ISP won’t assign publicly routable IPs to their customers. If that’s the case, you could ask them if you can get an exception… some ISPs support this… others offer you to sign up for a static IP (at a monthly cost). That’ll work but it’s more than you technically need.
If you’re NOT in a CGNAT and verified the port forward is configured correctly… try using a different public port (can be a random number in the range between 10000 and 50000, or a common/known port like 8080).
Last resort is to connect with your ISP if they’re simply blocking specific ports or communications (usually to „improve security“ for their customers).
Side note: that’s basically the steps laid out in the guide…
Plex security has appeared to have been broken with the latest server update, so that any device on or off my local network, cannot access my content unless they are able to disable security.
The ports are not disabled, however Plex isn’t able to port forward out anymore securely.
e.g. An Android app on my network (where network security isn’t an option) can’t access my content, whereas the Windows app can - the difference being that the Windows app can specify to ignore security under Advanced Settings, whilst the Android app can’t.
Likewise, my users outside my network can access my content using TV apps that allow disabling security, however apps that require it can’t.
Locally, if I specify the server IP address in a browser, I can access everything.
I can confirm my public IP is correct and matches as expected. I cannot use canyouseeme with any ports configured manually, or the port assigned via UPnP for the Plex server, but I can see all ports configured by UPnP for other devices on my network. I have fixed IP address (been the same for 10 years) There is no Double NAT. I have disabled the firewall on the router and have no other firewalls. I’ve changed the fixed IP address of the server, ensured that the port and IP address in the Plex network settings is correct. I’ve changed my DNS. I’m going to swap out my router next, but this is a last gasp for a fix!
Ive swapped out my router for a brand new Hub2 from Plusnet, which made no difference to the Issue, contatced my ISP (PlusNet) and they confirmed they are not blocking ports, or can see any issues with my broadband connection.
I downgraded the Plex server version to the version on the QNAP app store, still no retification so upgraded to the latest version from Plex again.
I have really come to the end of what to try, other than deleting/uninstalling my Plex server instance and reinstalling it from scratch again.
I will set up an AP on my phone, connect my TV to it and see if the Plex app on the TV can then access it via my AP to see if its the same issue as Yogimax is having with the android app, although my Android apps work fine on the local network.
I set up an AP on my phone and then attached my LG TV to the access point and my TV could see my libraries! I could not get a video to play I think due to bandwith settings, but I could play music without an issue?
You disabled debug logging so the data is of limited use. However I am seeing a lot of errors in your logs.
Mar 29, 2026 02:06:15.478 [140336796068664] ERROR - [Req#261c5/Transcode/817c61d5-a15d-4cb5-8841-7b1253e68c68/3db65c02-c737-46fc-b3ae-d36247727ce0] [aist#0:1/aac @ 0x7fbb232a5cc0] Error submitting packet to decoder: Invalid data found when processing input
Mar 29, 2026 02:06:15.479 [140336799370040] ERROR - [Req#261c6/Transcode/817c61d5-a15d-4cb5-8841-7b1253e68c68/3db65c02-c737-46fc-b3ae-d36247727ce0] [aac @ 0x7fbb23289700] Input buffer exhausted before END element found
Thanks for pointing this out! (I’ve been trying changing so many settings). Enabled logs now and accessed via LAN and alaso attempted remote connection by my phone, which did fail. New log file attached. What if anything do the errors you found point to?
Mar 29, 2026 15:00:34.329 [140337127746360] DEBUG - NAT: UPnP, mapped port 17988 to 192.168.1.98:32400. Mar 29, 2026 15:00:34.329 [140337127746360] DEBUG - PublicAddressManager: Mapping succeeded for 192.168.1.98:17988
After that, restart your QNAP and hopefully done
When said, you have setup your music filesystem wrongly, since you have a network share with QNAP network trash enabled, as well as use goodsync on that folder
This means that PMS monitor above folders which it should not
I suggest you in your /share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/Music folder create yet a folder, and name it like PlexMusic
Then add that folder to your music library as an additional path
Move all your music to that folder using QNAP FileStation
Scan the Library
Edit the library, and remove the original path from the library, so only the new one remains
[Notify] Now watching "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/Music/gsdata/saved/
[Notify] Now watching "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/Music/@Recycle/
Thanks dane22, and everyone who has tried to guide me through this issue.
I disconnected the eth1 cable, set a manual port in Plex and my router, restarted my NAS and it now works remotely correctly. Fantastic result!
I need to do some QNAP and Plex reading regarding understanding the issue you have identified with my music library implementation, so I know what, how and why I need to change as the music works when I use it.
As you can see in the log for the Plex Media Server, it will add an iNotify hook on directories that doesn’t contains your music, watching for changes so it can automatically add/remove media from your music library
However, the amount of hooks one can add is limited, and as such auto adding new stuff could stop working
You can see it in the logs like this:
[Notify] Now watching "/share/CACHEDEV1_DATA/Music/@Recycle/gsdata/saved/Oasis/(What’s the Story) Morning Glory [Deluxe Edition Remastered]
Would removing the Music library from my PMS, then move the Music folder into my existing Plex folder, re-add the Music library with the new location as the source, then just change my Goodsync config to back up my PC music library to the new directory structure?
I really only use Plex Music occasionally and the Music folder is primarily just a one way backup for my music from my PC. I’m not concerned about any playlists or metadata that is within Plex
I went to follow the procedure you laid out and noticed that remote access was not working again? Ive restarted my NAS, Router, with no sucess, so I’ve restarted PMS and downloaded and attached the logs. I did remove the static address 192.168.1.99 from my router and the cable is still removed.
According to the log, your PMS was published, and then got unpublished again
I suggest you for a test switch your QNAP to use Google DNS Servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
Then I also suggest you re-verify your routers manual port forwarding, as well as add an exception to DNS rebinding for Plex on the router, if it supports it, and if not, then for a test disable SPI firewall protection
