[SOLVED] Remote access enabled but unable to connect remotely

Server Version#: 1.43.0.10492
Player Version#: 2026.2.0

Hello!

I currently have remote access enabled via port forward but I’m unable to access my server remotely anymore. At one point, I could access my server on all but one TV but now, I cannot access it on any device unless I’m on the local network.

I’ve confirmed that I don’t have a double NAT, my server has a local static, remote access has a green check mark next to it. I immediately downloaded my logs after my last connection attempt, so I hope they help.

Is there anything I can try to do to get this working again?

Plex Media Server.log (1.6 MB)

Remote access changes to green while testing but that doesn’t necessarily mean it maintains the connection.

You started with one private ip, remote connection failed.
Changed to another private ip, remote connection failed.
Activated VPN, remote connection failed.

Most VPN’s don’t support port forwarding, usually spit tunneling is used so that Plex doesn’t see the VPN. Checking your port at canyouseeme.org only checks that the port is open on your router not that data is routed to the right ip so since the ip of the server changed verify that the port forward is correct.

That was on purpose, I swear lol. I tried changing forwarded ports, the server’s local static IP and both on and off a VPN just to see if it was an ISP issue

I forgot to mention that the port is not visible when checking it at canyouseeme.org

If you Plex is running in the docker it should be set to host mode.

Thank you! I didn’t think it was running under docker as it didn’t show up as a container when checked but I see it referenced in the logs now. I will do some investigating and let you know what I come up with :slight_smile:

It’s definitely worth checking, but I don’t believe that you’re running in a container in this case. Normally, if you were, you’d see something similar to the following as the first line in the PMS log immediately after a restart:

Feb 26, 2026 13:20:30.231 [130082280401720] INFO - Plex Media Server v1.43.0.10492-121068a07 - Docker Docker Container x86_64 - build: linux-x86_64 debian - GMT -05:00

But it’s possible that Plex just isn’t detecting it. It does seem pretty clear that you do have the Docker runtimes installed, as those interfaces are visible during network enumeration during startup.

You can determine if PMS is running as a Docker container by running the following from the command-line:
docker ps (you may need to add sudo to the front of that if you’re not a member of the docker user group).

If PMS is running in a Docker container, it will look something like:

CONTAINER ID IMAGE COMMAND CREATED STATUS PORTS NAMES
a1d86f498c9b plexinc/pms-docker:plexpass “/init” 2 weeks ago Up 13 minutes (healthy) plex

EDIT: Missed it the first time. The top line mentions Zorin.

Feb 24, 2026 20:18:38.034 [135127555685176] INFO - Plex Media Server v1.43.0.10492-121068a07 - Zorin OS ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II x86_64 - build: linux-x86_64 debian - GMT -06:00


Linux version: 17.3

Which Linux distribution are you running?

I was able to resolve my issue thanks to you mentioning docker!

I ran sudo dpkg -r plexmediaserver, created a docker-compose file for Plex and turned off the VPN. I’m able to connect on all of my devices now, without issue.

I appreciate the help!