Using Plex WD My Passport Wireless Pro without internet connection

[dmylrea]

There have been other posts here about issues when trying to use Plex app on a tablet (iPad, in my case) connected to the WD My Passport Wireless Pro when the WD device is NOT connected to the internet itself.

We mainly use it when we go on vacation or other travel, and recently had the issue with the Plex app on the iPad not being able to connect to the Plex server on the WD Passport Wireless Pro when it is not connected to internet (say, in a hotel room).

Nothing had changed in the Plex app or the WD (which mainly stays stored until we use it for a trip) but suddenly it stops working, and shows the WD as “unauthorized” with a red exclamation mark next to it.

I was able to get things working again by connecting my tablet to the WD’s WIFI (as usual) and then (with the WD connected to the internet) going to the Plex web server URL in the WD (http://192.168.60.1:32400/web) and reconnecting to my Plex account. This has to be done with the WD connected to the internet. While I was in there, I updated my libraries by using the “Scan Library Files” function to make sure everything was up to date.

Then once I had my various mobile devices (iPads and iPhone) working, I turned off the internet access to the WD so it was more or less standalone, and closed all the apps on my devices and tried it all again. It still worked! I was able to browse my media and play back anything.

So, internet access is NOT required to use the Plex app with theWD Passport Wireless Pro, but it is needed at times to make sure your account is current and such.

I suppose before going on a trip it would not be a bad idea to connect the WD to the internet and using the Plex Web server interface in it, make sure you can play back media on it.

Hope this helps.

[kaledi]

Thanks for sharing your experience with the WD device. I have one too but have not noticed the behaviour you describe. I will test this myself to see if I can recreate the issue. I’d rather know any required workaround before being in the situation where I can’t get it to work! Must admit, the few times I’ve used it out and about so far I’ve tethered the device to my mobile phone and therefore it is connected to the internet - at least for a period (similar to how you tested yours).