Unable to Access Win Plex Server Unless User Remains Logged On

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
1

I have always been able to access my media on my Windows Plex Server without having to logon to the system hosting Plex Server. In other words, I could boot the Plex Server and WITHOUT LOGGING ON I could access all my media from other Windows systems, my smart phone, and my Smart TV.

However, that has changed recently. I am currently running Version 1.18.3.2156 of Plex Server, but media is not accessible until I logon to Windows on that Server. Once logged on I must also remain logged on. I can lock the system, but cannot log the user out. If I log out, I lose access to Plex.

Again, note that this is something new. I know with absolute 100% certainty that this is not how it behaved in the past.

Question: Is this new behavior a purposeful design change, a bug, or possibly some setting or configuration issue on my server?

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There was no change regarding this. This has always been the case.
You probably had your Windows setup, so that it either

  • automatically logged in a user
  • had used the Scheduled Tasks to automatically start Plex server
  • had used the Plex as a System Service add-on
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Otto,

Thanks for your response. However, your assertion that this is the way that it has always been is incorrect. Please note that I have had this same exact conversation probably about a year ago, maybe longer. I don’t recall if it was with you or with another person. Back then I had this same problem and was eventually resolved, but in that discussion I was able to prove that I could access the Plex server without logging on by installing Plex on a brand new 100% clean installation of Windows with NOT A SINGLE MODIFICATION other than to allow network access.

I will see if I can find that conversation since it absolutely proves what I am saying.

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I found that previous thread, and it was indeed with you. Here is the link:

Bottom line is that I have already proved previously with 100% certainty that it worked as I had stated, without ever logging on.

5

Just wanted to update this thread with the latest status for anyone else reading it. As of today (Jan 21, 2020) using the latest versions of Plex Server and Plex Windows Desktop app, it is again working. In other words, if I boot my Windows Plex Server and DO NOT LOGON, I can still access the Plex Server and all the media on the server with no problems whatsoever.

So, bottom line is that issue is resolved. Note that it may have been resolved in previous builds, I just noticed today that it is again working.

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