Remote Access Will Not Work After Two Days Of Tinkering

Plex Media Server Remote Access
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Server Version#: Version 4.30.2 (Just installed 48 hours ago)
Player Version#: I Don’t Know (Just installed 48 hours ago)

I’ve run out of settings to change, ports to forward, and firewalls to disable.

ISP: AT&T Gigabit Fiber
Router: Arris BGW210-700 (I know this unit is famous for pain)
Firmware and software is all fully updated.

I am on WiFi for the moment, but have a 50 foot ethernet cable coming today that will allow me to connect directly to my router and get actual gigabit via my NIC which I know can handle it.

Here’s what I’ve attempted:

09bb40392377d0aef28038c75655841223f187a5
09bb40392377d0aef28038c75655841223f187a5719×403 32.7 KB

1126×240 40.6 KB

So I’m fighting Windows Firewall controlled via ESET, the Arris BGW210-700 router, and the Plex interface itself, and I’m losing.

I am willing to accept any amount of derision, mockery, and sarcastic jabs to get this fixed. I’m well aware that this is likely a horrendous case of user error.

I’m out of my depth. I thought all I had to do was put a little pinhole for port 32400 and that would be it, but it looks like I was sadly mistaken.

After two days of fighting this, I’m ready to throw in the towel and ask for a refund for my lifetime Plex pass. There’s so much to like about it, but if I can’t get remote access working and Direct Play along with it, there isn’t much point.

I’ll be grateful for any comments or guidance.

Mod-Edit: Special service, hiding public IP

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This is likely not going to resolve your issue, but I’d recommend removing all the port forwarding rules you’ve defined on your router except TCP 32400. TCP 32400 is the only one used for remote access and having the others open to the Internet could cause security issues. I’d also recommend masking your public IP address in the screenshot of your Plex settings.

1 Like
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Much appreciated. I’ll give it a shot.

I knew publishing my public IP was really stupid, but that’s how completely insane my attempts to solve this problem have driven me. I just want the little red light to stay green. It’s come down to that.

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When you updated the port settings on your router…
Test if you can access the router’s public IP address at tcp/32400 from outside your home network (e.g. using a service like canyouseeme.org or something similar).
The outcome of that test can help to pin down if the issue is between your ISP up to (incl. ) your router or your home network (incl. your router).

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Good thought. I’ve repeatedly trying to hit 32400 from canyouseeme.org at different points along the way and it always fails (timed out).

It’s as if my port forwarding rules are having no effect.

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Did you assign the port forwarding rule to your Plex server?

Can’t tell from the screenshots you posted.

1 Like
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You could test a different public port… preferably something unsuspicious in the range from 20000 to 50000). This could help to verify if the ISP is specifically blocking this port.

THAT is actually a great catch!
It looks like you implemented a number of firewall rules… but no port forward!

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Thank you for your question. I have thus far assumed the only think I had to do was type 32400 in the “Manually Specify Public Port” box and click on “Retry”.

There is a screen shot for this, but perhaps I have completely missed another crucial config area. At this point, we should assume I have completely lost my grasp on all my complex reasoning skills. :joy:

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Most routers I’ve seen ask you for the target address when you set up the port forwarding rule. The Arris looks different. You define the rule, then assign it to an IP address.

See the Forwarding An Application section:
https://portforward.com/arris/bgw210-700/

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The short version:

  • firewall rules define what traffic is allowed through your router
  • port forward defines what requests are being forwarded to a specific host in your home network (exposing it to the internet).
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My BGW210-700 acts strangely in this regard, or so it seems.

Hosting Entry|644x295

Under Application Hosting Entry there is “Service” with a drop down menu. Even after setting the port forward as shown in my above screen shot, the dropdown menu under “Service” is a fixed list of games and services. Plex is not among them.

Stranger yet, under “Needed By Device” there is no way to type in an IP. It only sees the names of the devices on the LAN, so the best I can do is select the name of my PC (which does have a static IP).

I’m utterly baffled. Defeated at every turn.

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But where? How? Are we talking about http://127.0.0.1:32400/ ?

Is this a separate exercise in somehow exposing that specific IP?

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Is there a screenshot I can offer that would show this? I do apologize for my bumbling. It would seem I’m a bumbler.

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That picture looks correct. It is forwarding tcp/32400 to your PC. RIXPC is the one running Plex, correct?

Disable & re-enable remote access, then check with canyouseeme.org.

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I tried several ports from 20000 to 50000. They all fail.

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Yes. RIXPC is the workstation on which I am running Plex. I believe I have correctly forwarded 32400 (tcp only) to it correctly.

I have tried disabling and re-enabling remote access many times, but I am more than happy to try it again. If I wasn’t in dire need of help, I wouldn’t be here bothering the heck out of everybody in desperation.

Give me a second.

MY GOD. WHAT WITCHCRAFT IS THIS?!?!?

It’s working. IT’S WORKING!! And I can hit the port externally.

But…but…we didn’t change anything as far as I could tell?

Is it possible that it is required to periodically disable and re-enable remote access to somehow “refresh” certain services?

In any event, thank each and every person who tolerated my hysterics and very poor use of this forum. I’m quite sure I made a horrific mess.

Thank you to the mod who masked my IP. That was just stupid of me, but I was to the point of not caring.

Here’s hoping it stays fixed.

Again, thank you to everybody who put in their two cents.

With gratitude,

-Plex Lifetime Subscriber Guy Who Almost Ended Up In An Institution

2 Likes
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The disable/re-enable is so your server will register with the servers at plex.tv. A Plex Server normally checks in once/hour if I remember correctly. Having you disable/re-enable after making a configuration change just forces it to happen immediately. You should not have to do that on a regular basis.

In addition to canyouseeme.org, check out Uptime Robot. It will check your server remote access port every few minutes and send an e-mail if it loses contact. The free account works fine for checking Plex remote access.

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Much appreciated! I will use that for sure.

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Do you have both an Ariss device and a router? If so try to find the credentials to log into your Ariss device and see if you can set it to bridge mode.

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Why?

  1. There is no indication OP is in a double-NAT situation.

  2. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.