Using Plex locally without account stopped working after Plex Server update

[tender66]

Server Version#: 1.26.1.5798-6000 (4.76.1)
Player Version#: Latest versions on FireTV and on Android devices

I’ve been using Plex for about 2 years now on my Synology Diskstation with DSM6 purely locally without any Plex account without any issues on multiple devices (mainly FireTV stick and an Android tablet) with the official Plex apps.

I’ve now updated the server version to the latest available version and suddenly the client apps don’t find the server content anymore. Nothing else changed. I’ve restarted all devices and server and tried a couple of changes, but nothing worked. Frustrated, I created a Plex account and logged in on the server and a client and it immediately it worked again. Logged out and the server content was gone again.

Based on the fact that it worked for about two years without any issues, even after several updates, I come to the conclusion that there was some major change in one of the latest versions that now prevents local server discovery/usage without an account.

Is this a known issue? (I didn’t find any recent topics on this)
Was this done on purpose or could this be a bug?
In case it is a known change, can someone please tell me which version was the last to work without an account?

[GaryWilcox]

This happened to me yesterday (May 26). I’m on a MyCloudPR2100. I updated the server. After the update, I could still see the folders, but I could not access from any device. So, I removed the server from my laptop to re-establish the server, but now I can’t get PLEX to even see the server. I can see it and access it with my laptop. But Plex refuses. Going through the PLEX account is also useless. And there is no real help anywhere. I’ve been working this since last evening and can’t figure out what has changed. Driving me crazy. Headed to Italy for a month tomorrow. This is a real drag.