I’ve had this issue for a few months now and thought it was maybe an issue with Plex/Nord and would get fixed, but it doesn’t seem like it will be.
I have a server machine with NordVPN on it. When the VPN is active, my two Samsung TVs (local network, 2017+ TVs) won’t connect to the Plex server. They used to connect ok when NordVPN was connected. Now I have to remote into the server machine on my phone, disable NordVPN (even for just 5 minutes), then force exit the Samsung TV app, restart the Samsung TV Plex app, it then connects to the Plex server normally, then I can play something, and even if NordVPN starts again whilst I’m watching something, it continues to stream fine.
Can anyone help?
The top thread on this sub right now is about NordVPN issues, check there. My advice - stop running Plex behind a VPN unless you know exactly what you’re doing and have a very good justification (ISP blocks Plex, need to punch a hole in NAT, etc).
My older Samsung TVs Plex no longer works. My newer TV has no issues. Ive heard others had the same issues with the older Samsung TV’s apps. Get a Firestick or Roku – worked for me. EDIT-- just noticed that both of yours are only 3 yrs old, might not be the App.
Hey man, i know this is an old post, but i wanted to say that i had the same issue. Plex running on a docker container that is routed through my openvpn machine, samsung tv of 2019 probably or 2020, Plex did the same thins as you mentioned. Manual ip specified. Remote access off. The only way to make it work is to go to settings on the tv app and allow insecure connections to always.
I think the reason why this happens is because when Plex loads it’s trying to communicate with the Plex WEB server (plex.com) that usually is used to connect to your server, which normally is linked to your normal ip address. Plex searches and then realizes that there is no Plex instance in your public ip address so it doesn’t connect. The ip address the the plex server is showing is the ip address of the vpn that’s why the tv doesn’t connect, and for some reason the samsung tv app just ignores the manual server input.
So yeah the solution i’ve found is allowing the insecure connections. If you found another solutions pls let me know.
That thread appears to be talking about remote access. I’m not talking about remote access. I have it switched off as I have no need for it. I’m having problems on my home network.
Yeah, from researching this if found a lot of info about the older Samsung TVs app not being developed any longer. My TVs are both newer models and this isn’t the issue. Cheers though.
define server address by IP manually in your TV clients, easiest fix.
try to browse to the address on your phone’s browser while VPN is active on server and phone is connected to home wifi.
http://ip:32400 - does it load?
Yes, it loads.
Also probably worth mentioning, when I have the VPN turned off and I’ve been using Plex, if I then use a different TV app (e.g. YouTube) or turn the TV off. When I then try to run the Plex app again, the Plex logo splash screen just stays on the screen, then I have to force exit the app and reopen it. Then the Plex app works normally. If the VPN has been started during the time when in another app or TV off, then I force close and reopen Plex app, the app opens, but the Plex server is not accessible/cannot connect, but the Plex app loads.
I’ve tried reinstalling the Plex app a few times. Still the same. This didn’t happen previously. Something changed a few months back. Either Nord or the Plex app. Samsung TVs don’t say when the apps are updated, unfortunately.
if the phone can connect fine on the same network by IP but the Plex app cannot… it must be an issue with the app. Either it is not respecting the manual IP settings or some type of local server discovery is still messing with it.
Yeah. It’s weird as it was all working fine, then something changed. I suspect it is the Samsung app, but not sure how to investigate as the Samsung apps are so locked down. I dont seem to be finding many other people with the same issue, either. A few, but not many. And no fixes. Thanks for your help.