Plex server Version 1.23.5.4841
Windows 11
Google Chrome
Remote Access enabled
Oh where to bloody start.
I had my Plex Server running quite nicely - could access my music on any device without the need to have my laptop on, just open the app on either tablet or phone and play whatever I want, wherever I was.
The Microsoft update around February 2021 ended all that. My library became unaccesable unless my laptop was on. Attempts to create a new server have proved, so far, unsuccessful - when going into ‘Settings’ the option to create a new server is not available.
When I raised this previously, I was pointed to a help article which suggested going into the registry and deleting 4 entries. Not a complete technophobe, followed the instructions, could only find 3 entries in the registry. When I asked about this the reply I got was ‘well, they won’t all always be there!’ - advice about as useful as a brake on a canoe.
My old laptop was on it’s last legs anyway, so in November I got a new one. Installed Plex Media Server and…nope, still cannot create server that will work without the need to have my laptop on if I want to have the ability to listen to music across the set up I have.
So, without filling the reply with techno babble (like I said, ain’t stupid but this SHOULD be effin’ easy) - how can I, a mere mortal, set my Plex Media Server up on my new laptop to be able to create libraries that my tablet / phone will pickup without my laptop needing to be on, as it was a year ago?
Thanks in advance to anyone who can actually help.
You cannot have a server on a device and expect other devices still to be able to access it while it’s not running. If you want a server that’s running 24/7 while your laptop is shut down, you’ll need to install that server on the NAS itself.
Find the adequate installer for your NAS platform (e.g. from the app store / package center of that NAS or download it from plex.tv/downloads) and install it on your NAS
Open the newly installed Plex Media Server instance through the NAS’ local IP address (http://[NAS IP address]:32400/web) – no shortcuts, no other apps, no sidetracks
Go through the setup wizard where you can name the new server and link it to your Plex account
After that you can also easily access the new server from other Plex apps or via https://app.plex.tv/desktop
The procedure you’re mentioning in your post are about reclaiming a server if you lost access to it. This can be necessary if you’re trying to start over your setup on a machine where you had previously installed a Plex Media Server instance (and no longer own / remember the linked Plex account).
@tom80H - I think you have actually answered how I set this up in the first place (about 6 years ago) to get the set up I had. Sounds like I set up the Plex Media Server direct from the apps in the NAS, which is pretty much your description above, and also explains why I have been unable to recreate what I had.
Off to try that in the morning - I’ll let you know how I get on with it - and if it does work then thank you thank you thank you!!!
