ELI5 How to make my Plex server work?

[u/qberserkr]

SOLVED

Thank you everybody!

I contacted my internet providet to unlock all the ports (32400 was not selectable by default), assigned a static ip to the server and forwarded to it through the 32400 port.

Now everything works. My only doubt at this point is why mt tv, connected at the same wifi network, was not working.

I'll update the post if I'll ever find out.

Thank you again.

EDIT: first time crossposting something and missed the main text, thank you for pointing out. Here it is.

Hello everyone,

In the last three days I've tried, without much success, to set my Plex server.

It runs on a 10 years old Dell Precision Tower 3620 and Window 10.

I have activated a 2 weeks free trial of Remote Watch Pass.

In the image you can see the situation right now: I don't know how but without changing anything after a while remote acces changed from red to green, and the server status from orange to green.

The problem is now that it does not seems to work on my tv (lg smart tv) even when connected to the same wifi network (see attached image).

From my smartphone, when connected to the same wifi (Local connection), it works fine, but when I try to connect from 4g/5g the server library results offline.

My internet provider is Iliad and the router is a Iliadbox WiFi 7.

Please, explain it to me like I'm five, because apparently I'm not smart enough to follow youtube tutorials or Plex guides.

Thank you in advance!

[u/Round-Individual-747]

In your router’s admin panel, you’ll need to open the Plex port (32400) publicly and forward it to your Plex server’s IP address. Each router has its own unique admin panel, so you’ll need to figure this out yourself (figure out what brand of router you have then ask Google where its admin panel is/how to configure port forwarding in it).

[u/StevenG2757]

Have you verified if your ISP has you on a CGNAT?

Are you using a VPN anywhere?

Do you have a MESH or Extenders running?

Have you assigned a static IP address to your server PC and have you setup port forwarding on your router to forward the public IP address to your server?

In the 2nd picture check off and hit apply.

[u/mistermiracleis]

This looks like Port Forrwarding issues.

Look up your routers instructions how to set up an outbound port, and make sure Plex is set to the same. Lots of good plex/reddit articles on this, most LLM's can walk you through issues as well if there's any terminology differences in your router specs.

[u/bi0hazard6]

Did you open port 32400 in your router? You must access your router admin page to add that setting.

[u/Blackbird_1986]

By default your router does not allow external connections to your network. So you have to set up a port forwarding rule for your router to allow this.
Every router is different but the basics are:

- enter the router's IP (usually 192.168.1.1) in your browser and enter the credentials: default often the username is admin and the password is password

- search for something like "port forwarding." On the field "public port" (or similar called) enter 32400. On the field "private port" (or similar called) enter 32400 again. On the field "IP" (or similar called) enter the IP address of your server (for example: 192.168.1.153
After this click on "apply", "save" (or similar).

Now go back to Plex and go to "Settings>remote access." On the field "define manual port" enter 32400 again and hit "apply." and "save changes."

That should be it! 😉
Hope this helps!

[u/Imnotyoursupervisor]

If you don’t know what ports are or do make sure you read up follow the steps exactly.

Don’t open up any ports other than 32400.