I’ve found the solution to my problem - it probably won’t be the same solution for others.
- Over the last few days, I haven’t been able to log into the forums - my browser was giving me a certificate error for plex.tv
- My desktop machine usually runs a VPN client, which I had disconnected a few days ago to perform specific task and not started it back up again.
- After starting my VPN client, I immediately tried to log back into the forums - it worked straight away.
I concluded that somewhere between my ISP and plex.tv, the certificate is not able to be resolved.
- I configured and started the vpn on the router
- stopped and started Plex Media Server on my Synology
- went through the steps for ‘Reclaiming a lost server’ - this time when I clicked ‘Claim Server’ it worked straight away.
I tested Plex on various devices - it’s all back to normal.
I disconnected the VPN on my router and stopped/started Plex Media Server on my Synology - Plex still works on all devices I tested.
My guess is that Plex Media Server periodically fetches some sort of token/flag from plex.tv. Due to the certificate error, it was unable to complete that action and it all stopped working.
As I now have a workaround for the issue - I consider this issue resolved.
Just to give some additional info - these 3 lines in the Plex Media Server.log also supports my hypothesis for the issue:
- Jul 18, 2024 19:53:59.604 [140284094069560] WARN - [HttpClient/HCl#44] HTTP error requesting GET https://plex.tv/updater/products/5/check.xml?build=linux-x86_64&channel=16&distribution=synology&version=1.40.4.8679-424562606 (60, SSL peer certificate or SSH remote key was not OK) (SSL: no alternative certificate subject name matches target host name ‘plex.tv’)
- Jul 18, 2024 19:53:59.604 [140284022786872] ERROR - [Req#16a] HTTP -60 downloading url https://plex.tv/updater/products/5/check.xml?build=linux-x86_64&channel=16&distribution=synology&version=1.40.4.8679-424562606
- Jul 18, 2024 19:53:59.604 [140284027005752] INFO - [Req#16a] AutoUpdate: error getting data from plex.tv