plex says no shared servers

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plex says no shared servers

 

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When Plex says "No Shared Servers," it usually means that your Plex client is unable to detect or connect to the Plex Media Server. Below are some potential causes and troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

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1. Possible Causes for "No Shared Servers"​

• Connectivity Issues:
  • Plex Media Server is not running or cannot be discovered on the network.
  • Incorrect or absent port forwarding on your router for remote access.
• Account/Sharing Issues:
  • Plex Media Server is not properly linked to your Plex account.
  • The shared server hasn’t been properly granted access to your account.
• Firewall or Security Blockage:
  • A firewall or antivirus software is blocking communication between the client and the server.
• Mismatch in Versions:
  • Outdated Plex client, server, or both.
• Incorrect Configuration (LAN/Remote Use):
  • Network settings in the Plex server or the client might prevent discovery of servers.

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2. Troubleshooting Steps​

Step 1: Verify the Plex Media Server Is Running​

• On the machine hosting Plex Media Server, open the Plex dashboard (http://:32400/web) in a browser.
  
  • Confirm that the Plex web app loads correctly and your libraries are visible.
  • If it doesn't load:
    • Reboot the machine and restart Plex Media Server.
    • If it still fails, uninstall and reinstall the Plex Media Server application.

Step 2: Ensure You Are Signed Into the Same Plex Account​

• Open Plex on the server machine.
• Navigate to Settings → Account and ensure you are signed into the same Plex account that your clients are using.
• Log out and back in on the affected client device to refresh the connection.

Step 3: Check Sharing Permissions​

• If someone shared their server with you:
  • Log in to your Plex account via a browser and go to Account → Users & Sharing to confirm the shared server is listed.
  • Request the owner to re-invite you, ensuring they give access to the shared libraries.
• If it’s your own server and you're accessing it remotely:
  • Make sure "Enable Remote Access" is turned on in Settings → Remote Access.
  • Ensure port forwarding (default port 32400) is correctly configured on your router.

Step 4: Check Network Settings​

• Same LAN: Ensure the Plex Media Server and client device are on the same subnet/local network.
  • Verify the client and server IP addresses. E.g., both should look something like 192.168.1.xxx or 10.0.0.xxx.
• Remote Access:
  • On your server machine, go to Settings → Remote Access and confirm it's "fully accessible outside your network."
  • If not, manually set up port forwarding for port 32400 in your router's configuration.

Step 5: Test Connectivity Between Client and Server​

• Ping the server’s IP address from the client to rule out network issues:
  

  cmd ping

  • Try accessing the server manually from a browser on the client device:
    • Enter http://:32400/web in the browser.
      
      • If it works in the browser but not in the Plex app, the issue is app-specific.

Step 6: Update Everything​

• Plex Media Server:
  • Ensure you are running the latest version of the server software by visiting the Plex downloads page: Downloads
• Plex Client App:
  • Update the app on your affected client device to the latest version.
• Operating System Updates:
  • Ensure that your server host's OS (Windows, Linux, macOS) is up-to-date.

Step 7: Check Firewall/Antivirus Settings​

• On the server:
  • Ensure Plex Media Server is allowed through any firewall.
  • For Windows, add C:\Program Files (x86)\Plex\Plex Media Server\Plex Media Server.exe as an allowed app in Windows Security → Firewall & Network Protection.
• Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall to rule out interference.

Step 8: Reclaim the Server (If It Went Unclaimed)​

• In rare cases, the server might become "unowned," showing no associated account.
• Open the Plex server web interface, log in, and reclaim ownership by signing in with your Plex account.

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3. Advanced Debugging​

Step 1: Check Logs​

• Navigate to your Plex server logs, located in:
  • Windows: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server\Logs
    
    • Linux: /var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs
    • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Logs
  • Look for errors related to connectivity, accounts, or remote access.

Step 2: Reset Network Cache​

On the server:

cmd ipconfig /flushdns netsh advfirewall reset

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4. Common Scenarios​

• Scenario: You changed your router:
  • Reconfigure the port forwarding settings for Plex.
• Scenario: Plex app works locally but not remotely:
  • Likely issues with remote access settings (port 32400, NAT loopback issues with router, etc.).
• Scenario: Plex server is working for other clients:
  • Reinstall the app on the affected client device.

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If none of these resolve the issue, share the specific error message or behavior of the Plex interface, and I'll refine the troubleshooting further!