plex says no shared servers

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  • Outdated Plex client, server, or both.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.

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:
  
  Code:

  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.

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​

cmd ipconfig /flushdns netsh advfirewall reset

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.