Server Unavailable While Owner Works Fine

Plex Media Server
, , ,
1

Hello,

I am experiencing a recurring authorization issue with my Plex server that only affects external Plex accounts (not the owner account).

Server details

Issue description

The server works perfectly with:

  • The owner/admin account (local and remote)

  • Local Plex Home users without associated Plex accounts

However, for external invited Plex accounts (Hugo._ on my server for example) :

  • Web app (app.plex.tv): Server shows as unavailable

  • Local IP access (127.0.0.1): “Not Authorized”

  • Plex iOS app: Server shows as offline

  • On desktop browsers: infinite loading or not authorized

Important:

  • Remote access is fully working

  • Direct Play works for owner

  • Infuse (third-party client) works correctly with the affected account

  • Network configuration is correct

  • Firewall and port forwarding are properly configured

Troubleshooting already done

  • Full Plex Media Server reinstallation

  • Registry keys removed (PlexOnlineMail, PlexOnlineToken, PlexOnlineUsername, PlexOnlineHome)

  • Server fully removed and reclaimed

  • Users removed and re-invited

  • Devices removed from Authorized Devices

  • Server completely recreated as a new server ID

  • PC rebooted multiple times

  • Logged out/in on all clients

The issue previously resolved itself after ~24 hours without any changes, but it has now reappeared and persists.

The problem only affects external Plex accounts.
Owner account works 100% consistently.
Local Plex Home users work.
Third-party client (Infuse) works.

brave_6LloABnXg2
brave_6LloABnXg2841Ă—617 22.7 KB

2

Can you share a screenshot of your Server Settings > Network page? Specifically capturing these settings.

image
image1034Ă—697 71.3 KB

3

Hi,
Thanks for your reponse. I have attached the screenshot of my Network page.

brave_ZNRkHBxDdH
brave_ZNRkHBxDdH1103Ă—1148 105 KB

4

Please remove all the spaces between the addresses. Also, I’m not sure about that last address. I assume this is something you’re hoping will combat against CGNAT?

5

I have Tailscale installed but never running, and Plex is an exception + is set to run only on my network interface. Should I remove the 100.64.0.0 address ?

image

6

So after removing the spaces, Plex finally works but only on my local server IP. On iOS or app.plex.tv it doesn’t, the server is offline.

7

For app.plex.tv make sure to check that you’re allowing local connections on your browser. Important note about the Plex Web app - Local Network Access

What version is your iOS app?

8

Yes, it is already enabled.
My iOS app version is 2026.2.0 (1566).
Oh wait a second, after waiting in the App Store for a minute on Plex’s page it prompted me for an update.
Edit : on 2026.3.0 (1604) it doesn’t work too.

9

Can you remove all these values to see if that improves things for the iOS client? What is the IP address of the iOS device?

10

The IP Address of iOS Device is 192.168.1.64.
I did it, doesn’t seem to work. I’m on the same network as the server, and on a good 5G cellular connection it doesn’t work too.

1 Like
11

Can you delete the app on your iOS device and reinstall and sign in again? If you still can see your server can you share a couple screenshots form the iOS device to show what you’re seeing? Also could you grab the iOS logs and share them?

12

I just did that. I have attached some screenshots.

plex-log-2026-03-04T21_45_24.268Z.zip (7.5 KB)

image
image1284Ă—2778 102 KB

image
image1284Ă—2778 91.6 KB

1 Like
13

Can you check your Local Network permissions on your iOS device?

Settings > Privacy & Security > Local Network

The Plex app should be there and it should be enabled.

1 Like
14

Yes, it is enabled.
I would just like to remind you that on app.plex.tv on my PC, I have the same problem.

Edit : I tried with one of my friends account that is on my server, and it works. It seems like Hugo._ is the only account with this issue, because if I go on her account it works without any issues.

1 Like
17

So, I tried Plex on my iPhone and on app.plex.tv before going to sleep and it is working ! I don’t know if someone did something
I would just like to know how could I prevent this from happening ? It isn’t the first time unfortunately

18

:success_kid:

I’m not really sure what the cause was other than the device couldn’t find your server. Let us know if it happens again. Hopefully it doesn’t happen again :crossed_fingers: .

19

Well, thank you very much ! Have a nice day and thanks for your help.

1 Like
20

Hello again ! Hope everything is alright.

So I’m having the same problem again…. Checked the same things I checked last time, restarted PMS, restarted my PC, my devices too…. The “Hugo._”user account is still having trouble, when my non-connected Plex Home account is having no issues and other accounts not linked to Plex Home do not have issues too.

Tried on my local IP, on my external IP, on the iOS Plex app, I’m getting the “Not authorized” message on my local IP and can’t connect to server on other devices.

What could I do ? Already tried last time to reinstall entirely PMS and claiming the server again. I have attached new logs.

Thanks in advance !

Plex Media Server Logs_2026-04-01_19-48-46.zip (2.7 MB)