Server Version#: 1.41.7.9823
Player Version#:4.12.0 (Plexamp)
This is me revisiting an ongoing topic that is driving me absolutely insane. Here is the original post:
Since then, I have upgraded my server license, reinstalled my server operating system a number of times, and coincidentally have also upgrade my entire network (new router, satellites, etc.). The problem is persistent yet also flaky and difficult to identify the root cause.
I’ve tried specifying the port, not specifying the port, changing all kinds of settings in my router, and on and on. Sometimes I can get things back and stable for a day or two, or sometimes even longer if I am lucky. I can pretty much always count on having to restart services once or twice per week through the server’s “Services” window. It’s so frequent that I actually put a shortcut on my taskbar so that I can access it as quickly as possible.
The long and short of it is remote access is available, then not, then available again, then not again.. on and on and on. Oftentimes, I will even see the red icon turn to green and then red again within seconds. It makes no sense (to me).
This is incredibly frustrating and I’m hoping that there’s some magic dust someone can sprinkle on this for me. Any thoughts? I’m at my wit’s end with it.
I’m far from an expert but I skimmed your original post. I didn’t see mention of Double NAT or CGNAT (Carrier grade NAT). My limited understanding and some reading has these terms popping up as being problematic. I don’t have a CGNAT issue but I did have the Double NAT issue as my ISP router is not being used as a router but as a modem, albeit one not with a bridge mode. I had to create port rules in my UniFi and it’s been ok since
As per the guide linked in your original post… if you want help troubleshooting your remote access issues, please post the output of the individual tests (not just the outcome).
Let’s start with:
After forwarding a port on your router (and configuring your PMS accordingly)…
Are your public IP and the forwarded port visible from outside your home network (you can test this using a service like canyouseeme.org)
Do the public IP recognized by canyouseeme.org, the remote access settings of your PMS and the router’s WAN IP (public IP) match?
Besides Router Port Forwarding, did you open the port in the Windows Firewall on the Windows Server.. ?
I ask, because I had the same issue, until I opened the port in Windows Firewall..
Having the Plex program open in the firewall wasn’t enough..
Howdy, @tom80H ! Thanks for the reply and suggestions. My replies:
The message I receive when running the test yields the following: “Error: I could not see your service on [deleted] on port (32400 )”. Hmmm. Sounds like this could be an issue, to say the least.
I’m not sure I understand this question. I think there may have been a typo. Can you reword for me if you don’t mind?
For what it’s worth, I have AT&T fiber internet, and a decent-ish Netgear Orbi mesh system. Port forwarding is active and I am using port 32400. My server’s IP address is static and ends in .77.
Got it. Thank you for your assist on that. I will check into that setting as well. Perhaps it’s related. I believe my router is already set up as bridge mode or whatever my ISP calls it. I’ll confirm.
I have not attempted any firewall modifications yet, as I wanted to stay away from that for as long as possible in hopes that there was a less risky solution. I do appreciate that advice, and I am certainly weighing my options when it comes to that.
Ah, got it! I was a little confused at the way it was written at first, but yes I totally get that now. Thank you.
Items one through three all report back the same IP address; they all match and are the same public IP. When I run the port check (32400) on https://canyouseeme.org/, I get the error..
My Netgear/Orbi settings are showing port forwarding of 32400, pointing to the server’s internal IP. It seems like it’s configured correctly.
At this exact moment in time, remote access is good, with the green “OK” checkmark/icon showing. Will it be like this in 20 minutes? I have no idea, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it isn’t.
Ignore the status indicator. It’ll show as green while testing the connection… this usually takes a few seconds but can also take more than 2 minutes in some situations.
If the IPs match… try using a different public port (e.g. a common one like 80 or 8080), or a total random one.
I’ve seen reports where ISPs were blocking the standard port used by Plex.
Oh. Yeah. Well regarding the status indicator, it was just me being more of a smartypants than anything else. It is green and red seemingly randomly, regardless of what I do, and at any given time it can be one way or the other – irrespective of what I am doing or not doing at any given time. I actually wasn’t even testing anything or doing anything at the time.
When checking 80, I get the same error as when using 33240. Port 8080 also generates the same error.
That looks ok (incl. tcp as protocol).
There’s no need to use the same port on the outside, but it shouldn’t hurt unless your ISP is blocking this particular port.
Is the Orbi the router connecting to the internet or are there any other active network components (e.g. routers, modems)?
The Orbi is acting as the router only. The ISP is AT&T, and it’s a fiber line. I am using their modem, then connecting the Orbi to that. The Orbi takes care of 100% of my network, however.. I’ve got a pretty extensive “tech rack” that includes a switch and some other goodies. The Orbi feeds the switch, and the server connects to that. All other hardwired devices in my home connect to the switch as well, and nothing is connected to the Orbi directly (other than the switch of course).
