Remote Access Setup for Windows Plex Server 🌐

Stream your media library from anywhere! This guide covers everything you need for reliable remote access.

Understanding Remote Access

When you access Plex outside your home network, traffic flows like this:

Your Phone → Internet → Your Router → Your Plex Server

For this to work, we need to:

1. Configure your router (port forwarding)
2. Set up Plex remote access
3. Optionally, set up a custom domain

Step 1: Enable Remote Access in Plex

1. Open Plex Web → Settings → Remote Access
2. Click “Enable Remote Access”
3. Wait for the connection test

If you see ✅ “Fully accessible outside your network” - you’re lucky! UPnP worked automatically.

If you see ❌ “Not available outside your network” - follow the manual setup below.

Step 2: Manual Port Forwarding

Find Your Server’s Local IP

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Run: ipconfig
3. Note your IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.1.100)

Configure Your Router

1. Access your router’s admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
2. Find Port Forwarding settings (may be under NAT, Firewall, or Advanced)
3. Add a new rule:

4. Save and restart your router if needed

Set a Static IP (Important!)

To prevent your server’s IP from changing:

1. Open Network Connections (ncpa.cpl)
2. Right-click your adapter → Properties
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
4. Click Properties
5. Select “Use the following IP address”:
   • IP: 192.168.1.100 (your chosen IP)
   • Subnet: 255.255.255.0
   • Gateway: 192.168.1.1 (your router)
   • DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4

Step 3: Windows Firewall Configuration

Plex usually configures this automatically, but verify:

1. Open Windows Defender Firewall
2. Click “Allow an app through firewall”
3. Ensure “Plex Media Server” is checked for both Private and Public

Or create a manual rule:

netsh advfirewall firewall add rule name="Plex Media Server" dir=in action=allow protocol=TCP localport=32400

Step 4: Test Remote Access

1. Return to Plex Settings → Remote Access
2. Click “Retry”
3. You should see: ✅ “Fully accessible outside your network”

Alternative Test

1. Disconnect from WiFi on your phone
2. Use mobile data
3. Open the Plex app
4. Try playing something from your server

Advanced: Custom Domain Setup

Want to use plex.yourdomain.com instead of an IP?

Option 1: Dynamic DNS (DDNS)

If your ISP gives you a dynamic IP:

1. Sign up for a DDNS service (No-IP, DuckDNS, etc.)
2. Install their update client
3. Use the DDNS hostname in Plex settings

Option 2: Reverse Proxy with HTTPS

For extra security and a custom domain:

1. Install Nginx or Caddy
2. Configure reverse proxy to localhost:32400
3. Add SSL certificate (Let’s Encrypt)
4. Update Plex → Settings → Network → Custom server access URLs

Example Nginx config:

server {
    listen 443 ssl http2;
    server_name plex.yourdomain.com;
    
    ssl_certificate /path/to/cert.pem;
    ssl_certificate_key /path/to/key.pem;
    
    location / {
        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:32400;
        proxy_set_header Host $host;
        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
    }
}

Bandwidth Considerations

Tip: For 4K remote streaming, you really need fiber internet or similar!

Troubleshooting

”Not available outside your network”

1. ✅ Verify port forwarding is correct
2. ✅ Check Windows Firewall
3. ✅ Ensure static IP is set
4. ✅ Restart router and Plex server
5. ✅ Check if ISP blocks port 32400

Double NAT Issues

If you have two routers (e.g., ISP modem + your router):

1. Put ISP modem in Bridge Mode, OR
2. Set up port forwarding on BOTH devices

Security Best Practices

1. Use strong Plex account password
2. Enable two-factor authentication on your Plex account
3. Keep Plex updated to the latest version
4. Consider VPN for an extra layer of security

What’s Next?

Remote access is configured! Continue with:

• Advanced Configuration
• Automation with Sonarr & Radarr
• Troubleshooting Guide