"Server settings are unavailable" w/ VPN on but can still access server and watch shows

Plex Media Server
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Server Version#: 1.30.2.6563-3d4dc0cce
Player Version#: Not sure where to find, sorry (Windows version 6.2)
OS: Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2
OS Build: 22621.963

Hi there, I’m currently having an issue when I access my server settings in my plex dashboard on the PC (or any device) that is hosting the server. I can still watch shows, movies, and access my music, however, I cannot access my server settings while my VPN is active. This includes everything under the settings tab and the manage tab. However, the remote access icon updates the green checkmark when it connects. The image below shows everything I do not have access to.
image

This all started on the most recent server version update that happened recently, I believe almost 2 weeks ago. I have my PC hosting the server with a dedicated static IP outside my DHCP pool, I have ports forwarded through windows firewall and through my router (Verizon). I have full access via firewall settings appraised to every Plex app that is downloaded with the server itself too. However, after this most recent update, I can no longer access server settings while my VPN is active.

I am using Bitdefender’s VPN service since I have free premium access to it, and it has a feature called split tunneling. It essentially allows selected apps and websites to bypass the VPN entirely and access the Internet directly. I have Plex.exe and all other Plex-related .exe’s added under that. Again, for months I had this all set up this way and never ran into any issues like this. I know for a fact it’s the VPN having a direct correlation to this issue because when I disconnect it, I can access my server settings along with all of my files, however with it connected, I can only access my files which is strange because if I can access my files, why can I not access the server settings on the same device? Is there a specific Plex website I should add to split tunneling that I do not know of?

I’m not sure what to do really. The current workaround I have for this is to just disable my VPN and go into the settings, but this becomes rather difficult when I have to gain control of the headless server and disable it manually just to edit or view server settings.

I have tried going into the registry keys and deleting those specific to my account, and reclaiming the server, there are no crash logs under %AppData%>Local>Plex Media Server>Logs, but there is a Tuner Service Log, which I am unsure of what that even is. I’ll upload the two latest ones which happened nearly an hour after writing this if it helps.

I’m currently at a loss, any guidance would be extremely appreciated.

Thanks!
Plex Crash Uploader.log (525 Bytes)
Plex Tuner Service.log (1.8 KB)

Edits:
Something interesting I’d like to add is that with the VPN enabled and no split tunneling engaged, remote access does not work, HOWEVER, I can access settings. With the VPN enabled and split tunneling engaged to where Plex is set to run on the local network and not through the VPN, remote access works however I cannot see that it works because I still can’t access the settings. WEIRD.

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I’m posting here because it’s the closest and most recent post topic dealing with the problem I’m encountering.

I have used Plex since it’s inception, from day one. I’m a Plex Pass Lifetime Member. All of my programs are up to date.

I’m running Plex on two Synology NAS’
NAS-01 a DS412+
NAS-02 a DS916+

Both are running the latest version of Plex for that box
I have two PC’s that are running the latest versions of Plex Media Server

Video Editing Computer:
Dell Optiplex 9020
i7 processor
32 gig RAM
Three Solid State Drives (100 gig, 500 gig 10 terabyte) and one regular external drive (15 terabyte).
Windows 10 Pro

My Laptop:
Dell Inspiron 17, 7000 series
i7 processor
8 gig RAM
one 500 gig hard drive
Windows 10 Pro

All NAS boxes are running the latest version of firmware an everything is up to date on both my Windows PC’s.

This setup has worked flawlessly for many years. I recently shutdown my office and moved everything to my home. Before the move the laptop was wherever I was. The NAS’s were at the office across town and the Video Editing PC was at my home. Everything worked fine for many years. Recently (past few weeks) I have moved it all to one location and it’s all sitting on one desk. It’s all utilizing the same high speed internet connection and it checks out using Ookla speed test (93.95 mbps Download, 34.87 mbps upload, 13 ms ping Suddenlink/Optimum).

My network is a little complicated, the modem/router is in the den on the first floor. I have a CAT6 network cable ran to the structured wiring can where it hits an 8 port Netgear un-managed gigabit switch that serves everything on the first floor (only TV’s) then I have another CAT6 ran to the second floor where it hits another Netgear 16 port un-managed gigabit switch in the office and serves everything up here. Company PC, Laser Printer, ScanSnap, My son’s three computers, Samsung Smartthings Hub, two NAS’, My Video Editing PC and My Laptop (our laptop’s do not have Ethernet ports on them so I have these USB network adapters connected to them and they work fine.).

The only thing that is a major difference here than at the office is the modem/router. At the office I had a separate broadband modem and a Netgear Night Hawk Wireless Router. Here at the house, Optimum supplied me with a hybrid modem/router that I cannot get into to the software do anything with the ports, address filtering or controlling anything, I can’t even turn off the wireless feature or hide the network name, which sucks and I will request that I use the old broadband modem and my router on the new connection at the house sometime this week when I have a few hours to spend on the phone with them.

I am connected to ExpressVPN on the laptop but not on the desktop, the error is the same.

I cannot connect to the server settings on either PC since the move this past week. It may not be the move, I have updated the server software on the NAS boxes and on the PC’s since the move. I have neglected to do that and when this problem started I though that might fix it, but it did not.

Another problem I’ve encountered, I was watching a show that the file is stored on my laptop through Plex on my desktop, when I added online subtitles the player is giving an error message and will not play that file. It will play other files on the laptop from the desktop but not the file I added subtitles to. Probably a different problem than the Unable to Access Server Settings problem.

I really don’t want to have to uninstall everything and reinstall it like I’ve seen others do with no results. So If anyone has a solution to this, please let us know.

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This did not fix the issue at hand. I cannot access Plex Server settings at all while I have a VPN active. I even downgraded and it still isn’t working. I’m not sure what’s going on, even after split tunneling Plex inside my VPN. My guess is that not all VPNs work well with Plex nor does the split tunneling feature sadly.

So, it turns out that sometimes, with VPN’s, if you use their split tunneling feature which allows certain apps to bypass the VPN and connect with the local internet connection directly, the firewall blocks it.

For inbound connections under firewall rules (in Windows), create a rule that allows the application through your network (I chose private since this is on my home network as I am sure all of yours will be too). Additionally, for Plex, I made an additional rule to allow the specific port. However, I believe it was the application being blocked, but to be safe, I also allowed the port under inbound connections in my firewall.

Also, I made sure it appeared under allow a program through the firewall which should take the rule you made previously and put it there. If not, then add it while in that menu.

Hopefully, this helps someone else with a similar issue! Now I know!

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I edited my post, something I found with split tunneling and not split tunneling, and my original fix did not work as I had thought. So confused currently…

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I am having the same issues. Nether localhost, nor 127.0.0.1 works. Using Bitdefender’s split tunnelling and everything local goes offline.

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