Server Version#: 4.139.0
Player Version#: IOS app version 8.40
Server running on Windows 10 Home 10.0.19045
Automatic remote access has not been successful previously for me. However, I recently connected my server to a completely different router and internet provider via ethernet cable (vs. wifi connection to a different ISP). After this change, the automatic configuration for remote access was successful and I confirmed I could stream a movie from my server remotely from elsewhere.
This was a couple weeks ago. Today, my server now shows “offline” when outside my server’s network. I rechecked remote access and it still shows as fully accessible from outside my network. I can stream from my server locally on the same network without any issues. I tried disabling remote access and re-enabling it with no change.
What else can I try/ look into to fix this issue? I was mainly trying remote access on my iPhone, and on that I tried force quitting the app. On the mobile app the issue is the same; I can stream from my server on the internet local to my server, but if I turn off wifi and use cellular data, it will show as offline.
Help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!
Automatically created remote access is not persistent nowadays.
See if it is magically repaired if you stop and restart your Plex server.
If it is, most likely after a while the router is removing port forwardings which were created per UPnP (that’s what the “automatic remote access” actually is).
To make these port forwardings stable, you would need to have access to the router configuration and create a port forwarding manually.
If remote access is not automatically reinstated after a server restart, the router’s owner may have disabled UPnP (which is a reasonable decision, from a security perspective).
Either way, you will have to talk to the owner of the Internet connection and come to an agreement about this.
Thank you for your response. It seems to have a mind of its own. After reading your response I quit the Plex server from the tray like you suggested. Then ran Plex again after quitting. After doing this, remote access was still showing as fully accessible but I could not connect remotely. Then, I did not do anything else for several days. Checking on it today, remote access was showing as not accessible outside my network. I restarted the computer. After the restart, no change. Disabled then enabled remote access with no change. Just while writing this, I refreshed the Plex server web page and is still showing not accessible, however I am able to stream remotely (so it is working).
Back to your original response- I own the internet connection but it is Starlink internet. Reading online, it most likely uses CGNAT and does not support port forwarding.
To provide some information about what settings are easily accessible on the Starlink router; through the Starlink app, it provides options to pick a subnet mask, and enable custom DNS. There is also a bypass mode to use a third party router.
Is that enough information for you to guide me on what my options are? When security risks with port forwarding are mentioned, I’ve not understood the severity or details of what the vulnerability is- so it’s hard to say whether I’m comfortable to take the risk when I don’t know what the risk is… Hopefully that makes sense.
I would really like to make my remote access work somewhat reliably- if it is possible of course. I have not tested the duration the automatic configuration lasts for; perhaps my best option is to restart my computer once a day or so to create a fresh connection via UPnP?
I really must give thanks to you and all the other experts that dedicate time to help people on the forums!
If that is the case, then the only remote access available to you would be by Plex relay service. Which is limited to a maximum bitrate of 2mbps (for Plex Pass owners).
No server or router settings will be able to change anything about it.
Starlink uses CG-NAT addressing. They’ve an option for a public IPv4 address at additional cost.
These support articles discuss their public IPv4 offering, but do not provide any info on cost.
EDIT
Here’s the info on Starlink plans that support a public IPv4 address: Starlink | Service Plans.
I didn’t even stumble across the relay feature before. That should be a sufficient solution for me. The only thing that I will have to prove out is it appears I already had the relay feature on and was still running into “OFFLINE” status for remote access. (Looking in my settings now, relay was checked enabled and secure connections was set as preferred already.) Anyways, I’m so glad the relay feature exists and with any luck its functionally will only get better with time for pass holders. Thanks again for the help.
