Remote Watch Pass The show cant go on yet

[cylon452]

Hi all - Help

I have 3 computers Hostname DC2003B( Plex running here ) pcgamer1 and pcgamer2 and one LG TV,

Well As of 6-1-205 pcgamer1 and 2 keep getting that message ’ Remote Watch Pass ’ asking me to pay 1.99 for one month and 19.99 annually to watch on my local network.
But the LG TV ( on same network) still will play my videos but not the 2 Windows 10 PCs Windows ( 22H2 )

The Plex Computer DC2003B will play where it Plex is installed.

All IP addresses are all static. same subnet. No change to DNS, router, No Change to anything. No VPN

All 3 PC are in the same room. LG TV is in the bedroom. all on the same network and subnet mask. Everything was working for 8 years, until today. In short what happened ?

On Pcgamer2 i paused the video 2 days ago and it started playing when i hit the play button.
So i stopped it to see what would happen than restarted the video and up popped that message ’ Remote Watch Pass ’ prompt.

Hostname change on Plex PC:
2 days ago i changed the Plex server name from PC2 to DC2003B and it still worked for 2 days until today. I don’t think it is the name change since the TV still works and does not get the ‘Remote Watch Pass’ Prompt. all 3 PC can ping each other and have drive mapping between them. example from PCgamer1 mapping to PCgamer 2 and DC2003B:
Local disk (C:)
Local disk (D:)
D(\PCgamer2) (Q:)
E(\PCgamer2) (R:)
D(\DC2003B) (T:)
E(\DC2003B) (U:)

I even change the Plex PC back to hostname back to PC2 and still got the same message.
JellyFin still works on all 3 PC and the TV even after changing the Hostname

It is my understanding Plex will play on local Network like it did for me for 8 years.
I do not use remote servers on Plex.
reinstall didn’t help.
Weird thou, after uninstalling and reinstall PLEX to a different hard drive it remember all my settings ?! Some stuff stuck in the registry. It’s a windows thing.

I been at this for 12 hours

Found someone with the same issue on reddit 2 days ago.

Reddit - The heart of the internet

Help ?
should have purchased lift time Plex pass for 120 - 250 now

[OttoKerner]

Drive mappings have nothing to do with the issue.

1. Disable Plex relay. You won’t be able to use it anyway without a Pass.
2. Inspect the network connection properties on both your server machine, as well as on any clients that run on Windows computers in your local network. They must be classified as “private”, and not as “public”.
3. Reset the “Secure Connections” preference in the server to “Preferred”. Never set it to “Required”.
4. Ensure you are not affected by “DNS rebinding protection”. That is often a feature in DNS resolvers – like the one in your router. If you use DNS-based internet filters like Pi-Hole, Privoxy etc. check their configuration as well. Details: https://support.plex.tv/articles/206225077-how-to-use-secure-server-connections#toc-4

[cylon452]

Thanks for trying to help me.
Step 1 - Plex relay is disable
Step 2 - All 3 computers are set to Private
Step 3 - Reset the “Secure Connections” It is set to Preferred.
Step 4 - "DNS rebinding protection " I don’t even know what this is.

Just stumped that this was working for years on the 2 PCs local in my apartment.
I am still being asked to get a Remote Watch Pass on Pcgamer1 and Pcgamer2.
But i can play my video on where plex is installed on DC2003B and the LG TV has no issues.

[cylon452]

Plex Media Server version 1.41.7.9823 was updated on May 28, 2025.
My issues started after this update.

Could this be the issue? Because i checked the PCs a few after this update on 5-31-2025 and the pcgamer1 and 2 now get that Remote Watch Pass except on the PC where plex is installed on PC named DC2003B and the LG TV.
Everything worked before May 28.

I didn’t didn’t notice on PCgamer 1 and 2 this because i was using the LG TV everyday for years.
I didn’t launch Plex on PCgamer1 and 2 until May 31 to show a friend how it worked then i got hit with ’ Remote Watch Pass ’ The show can’t go on…yet’
I show not be getting this message on my local network PCs - ’ Remote Watch Pass ’ The show can’t go on…yet

Still works on the LG TV and DC2003B, But not PCgamer1 and PCgamer2 where i did not change anything. These are gaming PC that used to play Plex with no issues until i believe after the patch.

One question. If i were to purchase a plex pass would this solve the issue ? Not the Remote watch pass.
I know this is not a real Fix because every PC is on the same network, As Stated by Plex
all should work on a local network which it did for over 8 years.
All other apps work including Jellyfin. But Jellyfin was my backup not my Primary.
I really would like to stay with Plex.

No configurations were changed on my network ( router, switch and PCs )for years.
Thanks for answering my previous question so quickly.

[FordGuy61]

Are those the real IP addresses - 1.1.1.x?

If so, that is the problem.

1.1.1.1 is the IP address for Cloudflare, a major DNS provider on the Internet.

Plex is designed to work with private IP addresses.

You need to re-address your network.

Start with the router. Get Verizon involved if necessary.

An easy way is to change everything to 10.1.1.x.

[cylon452]

OK thanks for the quick reply
Thank you FordGuy61 and OttoKerner

Yes i was using 1.1.1.x for years because I was behind NAT. Was showing a friend years ago that any IP address work behind a NAT ( Network Address Translation )
was too lazy to type in 192.168.1.X or 10.1.1.x

I’ll have to go back and assign the router address to 10,1,1,1, and reassign all my devices on that network.
So
PCgamer1 will be 10.1.1.50
PCgamer2 will be 10.1.1.51
DC2003B ( where Plex is installed) will be 10.1.1.52
might have activate DHCP for the LG TV ( range 10.1.1.60 to 70 )

I’ll use this subnet 255.255.255.0
DNS will 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1, i’ll start with 8.8.8.8

Before I start I need to go for a walk and get some coffee

One more question ? Can install and older patch before version 1.41.7.9823
I see no way to do this in the plex settings. Prior to May 28,2025
I want to see if cause the issue of 1.1.1.x since Plex no issues with it before May 28th.

Thank you FordGuy61 and OttoKerner

--------------------------------- Cloudflare and my History with 1.1.1.x ---------------

When i saw Cloudflare DNS IP was 1.1.1.1 a few ago i was wondering if i would have issue with my internal network being 1.1.1.x even with NAT

The Verizon router is 1.1.1.1 I changed it 10 years ago

Then Cloudflare took 1.1.1.1 and it had me wondering if I would have any issue with not just Plex but with other Apps.

I’m still wondering why my 1.1.1.1 to 1.1.1.x was working all these years since my DNS is 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.8.4

Hope it works, because I was ready to Nuke the windows PC named DC2003B windows 10 PC and my Plex account and make a new one
Nuke is a big thing because i have to reinstall everything
C drive is the OS windows 10 only
D and E Drive is Data ( Plex, Jellyfin, VPN, ) and some App

Before i Nuke i’ll try an older version of my Image files going back to 2023 or
2017(1803 build and upgrade Windows to 22H2)

[FordGuy61]

@cylon452

Can install and older patch before version 1.41.7.9823

Do not run earlier releases of 1.41.7. Some have a bug causing massive db growth.

You can fall back to 1.41.6 or earlier if desired. Manually run the installer if you still have it.

[cylon452]

Oh boy i do not have it.
Do you know where I can get older patches from ?
Still searching.

Is this site safe ?

Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Texts, Movies,...

[cylon452]

**HOLY COW !!! Hot Diggity Dog !! **
Thank Thank Thank you all
Fordguy61 it worked !!
OttoKerner Thank you also.

My wife is Now watching her Favorite show !! On the PCgamer2 next to me.

Thanks for reminding to change the Router First. Forgot about that.

You are correct. It was the 1.1.1.x thing

I changed everything to: 10.1.1.x
These are Static
Router 10.1.1.1
PCgamer1 is 10.1.1.50
PCgamer2 is 10.1.1.51
DC2003B ( where Plex is installed) is 10.1.1.52
LG TV is getting the IP from DHCP that I changed( range 10.1.1.60 to 70 )

All other device received their assigned IP address from DHCP
Jelly Fin( my backup to PLEX ) need a kick in the azz to get started but I figured that out.

Sorry to bother you all but i am a retired MIS/IT guy. I’m 70 and should have known better.
I hope i am not losing it mentally. I feel happy and sad at the same time. Sad that I couldn’t figured this out on my own like I used too. I’m so Happy that you guys helped me out.
No Nuke needed. and that wouldn’t have worked anyway.

Tomorrow i will be using Aoemi to make Images of these 3 PCs

All of you though of possible issues to solve my problem i created for myself by using 1.1.1.x

I will buy a plex pass soon just in case I have to go to the Doctors Office( or Hospital stay ) to watch my stuff on my laptop or cell phone.
Might need your help with too one day with the Plex Pass but i will try first..
It’s good to keep the old brain working.

May the Force be with you 2 and Live long and Prosper and So say we all.

Joe from Brooklyn NY

[FordGuy61]

Good to hear you’re up and running.

If everything is stable, I’d stay on 1.41.7.9823.

The Internet Archive is a good website. However, I’ve never tried to download a copy of Plex software from there. I do not know if they capture the software or just the web pages.

If you still need to fall back, check the Updates folder in the Plex Data Folder. On Windows systems, Plex keeps the last few installed versions there.

[cylon452]

No im staying to this build 1.41.7.9823. All is stable thanks to you guys.
Thanks for the link to Plex Data Folders.

[jfreiman]

@cylon452

Sorry to bother you all but i am a retired MIS/IT guy. I’m 70 and should have known better.

Lol, join the club! (58yo Silicon Valley)