Unable to add connection (manual connection issue)

Plex Media Server NAS & Devices
1

I am able to type the direct Plex server connection into a browser (192…with the port 32400) but I get an error code 401 when I try to do it on the iPad app. What gives?

2

401 error is an authentication error - so may be the Plex app on the iPad is using an old token for the server or is signed into a different plex.tv account from the one the server is owned / claimed by

Check the account for the server by going to settings / server / general and see which plex.tv account is signed in

Then on the iPad Plex for iOS app, go to settings / account and sign out and sign in with the same account as that the server is owned by

3

I have this same problem on my iPhone plex app. I checked that the accounts used by the server and the iPhone app are the same. Still gives me a 401 when connecting the iPhone app to the server. The browser on the iPhone can connect to the server fine.

4

Same thing here, I have the same user logged in both the App and the Server but still the same 401 error. I have tried looking into all the log files (there are a lot!) but for some reason it seems as it is not even reaching the server. I have seen this bug reported since 2016 without solution yet though.

5

SOLVED: In order to add the manual connection within iPad, iPhone, and other iOS devices…

  1. Log into Plex on your computer (not the Plex app on your device)
    2.Go to Settings>Network
  2. Scroll down to “List of IP addresses and networks that are allowed without auth”
  3. Type in the IP address of your iOS devices. (You can get this information by logging into your router and viewing the list of attached devices). Also, while typing your IP addresses into Plex, remember to separate each IP address with a comma, and no spaces in between. Additionally, you will have to give your iOS device a static IP address, as every time you leave the house and come back your iOS device may be assigned a new IP address. You can assign a static IP address to your iOS device in your router’s settings.
  4. Go back to your iOS device.
  5. Go to “Settings” in your Plex app. (you will click the icon in the upper right-hand corner)
  6. Click “Advanced”
  7. Scroll down to “Server Connections”
  8. Type in the server address of your Plex server
  9. Type in your port number (most likely it is 32400)
    At this point, your app will add the manual connection.
    Note: Keep in mind, you will still need to login into the Plex iOS app with your email address in order for the the app to fully work. If you do not, your media will not display. This is the decision of Plex developers.

Hope this helps everyone.