Using Plex With VPN Guide

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This guide will show you how to use Plex Media Server with a VPN. It is important to note that using a VPN in this way does not make your computer anonymous, but it can protect your privacy and security while streaming content from the internet.

The using plex with nordvpn is a guide on how to use Plex with NordVPN.

Plex may be the last all-in-one streaming platform available for use at home after Kodi.

Plex fans will like how easy it is to set up and how many options it offers. Plex has rapidly risen to the number two spot after Kodi as a result of this.

However, you may sometimes be unable to connect to the internet, rendering all of your movies and other material worthless.

One of the major reasons is that many households now utilize a VPN, and if the Plex server is configured improperly, access may be limited. In one sense, it isn’t good, but in another, it demonstrates that the layers of protection provided by a VPN are an excellent method to prevent other parties from gaining access to your home network.

Whatever the case may be, this tutorial will teach you how to set up a Plex media server so that you may access your material whether or not you use a VPN. (For more information, see Getting Started with Kodi.)

Is it possible to use Plex with a VPN?

Plex is a bit more complex than Kodi and is made up of two major components. Plex Media Server, for example, organizes your media files and makes them available to stream via a variety of devices. The Plex Media Player client, on the other hand, allows you to stream all of your media material to your chosen devices.

The media server is usually a Windows PC, while the player works with most smartphones and smart TVs, as well as certain video game consoles and set-top boxes.

Plex is a great option if you have a large quantity of material that you want to broadcast from many devices. It’s also helpful for accessing your media collection over the Internet when you’re away from home.

Why Should You Use a VPN with Plex?

Why do I need a VPN with Plex if it may create difficulties, you might ask? When hosting Plex servers on various devices, there are four main reasons why customers need a VPN.

Throttling of Bandwidth

Customers that stream, particularly HD video, are disliked by most Internet Service Providers since it consumes a lot of bandwidth. ISPs restrict bandwidth on purpose to decrease system stress and dissuade you from engaging in bandwidth-intensive activities.

Using a VPN for Plex, which encrypts all data transmitted over the Internet using AES 256-bit encryption, you may prevent such problems. Because your streaming traffic is disguised, your ISP is unable to restrict connections. (Firestick: How To Clear Kodi Cache)

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Plex Protects Your Privacy

This is related to the last point. Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), which enables your ISP to observe everything you do online, may be used to restrict your bandwidth. Your Internet connection is delayed as soon as they detect streaming activity.

Aside from that, there are instances when user information is sold to other parties, such as marketing forms, and you don’t want anybody to know you’re streaming copyrighted material.

Region-Restricted Films

You may install Plex add-ons to expand its capabilities, allowing you to view material from streaming services like as the BBC iPlayer, ITV, Channel 4, and many more from countries that are geographically banned.

Change the VPN server to any nation using your VPN, and all services from that country are accessible.

Censorship at the local level

Some nations prohibit citizens from seeing specific kinds of material. If you want to watch movies from home while visiting a region with such restrictions, you’ll need a VPN. Your VPN will provide you with a VPN connection from your own country, and you will be able to connect to your Plex Server without any problems.

How can I use a VPN to access Plex?

Although private and encrypted connections are more popular than ever, you may not be able to access your Plex server via the levels of protection if it connects to the internet through a VPN.

Here’s all you need to know about Plex setup so you can have your Plex server streaming over your VPN without compromising security so you can watch your videos.

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How to Use a VPN to Access Plex.TV

Plex.TV streaming via VPN may be accomplished in a few steps. Here’s what you’ll probably have to do:

  • Provide a static IP address for the Plex server.
  • Take note of your Plex preferences.
  • Enable port forwarding on the router.
  • Configure the VPN to provide you full access to plex.tv.

After that, you may use the Plex app or your web browser to interact with your private Plex server from anywhere in the world. (See Kodi Can’t Connect To Network Server for more information.)

This is referred to as selective routing, and it is an important networking technique to understand.

Create a Plex Server

There are a few things you should do before making changes to your network setup. Keep in mind that you should complete all of these procedures on your Plex streaming media server.

Provide a static IP address for Plex Server.

Assign a static IP address to your Plex server if you haven’t previously. This will enable you to set up port forwarding correctly and guarantee that any changes to the VPN settings are retained after a reboot.

  1. Open the Control Panel on your Windows computer to establish a static IP address.
  2. In the Network and Internet area, choose “View network status and tasks.”
  3. On the sidebar, choose “Change adapter settings.”
  4. Right-click your computer’s main network connection and choose Properties from the context menu.
  5. Select the Properties option for Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP 4).
  6. Choose a static IP address for your Plex server, then fill in the gateway and DNS settings before clicking OK. (Take note of the IP address; you’ll need it when setting up your VPN.)

A good static IP address will be beyond the DHCP range of your router. They are usually set automatically from a pool of 192.168.1.150 to 192.168.1.254 in most instances. It is safe to use 192.168.1.100.

A conflict arises when a router provides an IP address that is already in use on the network; thus, double-check your router’s DHCP settings before providing a static address.

Things’s a good idea to vary it up a bit when selecting static DNS servers. You may utilize your ISP’s DNS and then choose between a free, secure Google server at 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4, or Cloudfare at 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.

Keep a record of your Plex settings.

You must login to Plex through the web interface and confirm your settings before configuring your VPN to redirect Plex traffic.

  1. By right-clicking the tray icon and choosing the Open Plex option from the context menu, you may access the Plex web client.
  2. Go to the left sidebar of Plex and click the Settings option.
  3. Select the symbol for Remote Access.
  4. Take note of your Plex’s remote access port; this, together with your static IP address, will be used to configure your router. The most common port is 32400.

You can setup your local network now that your Plex server has a static IP address, an OpenVPN VPN is installed, and you’re confident with the port settings.

Create a Local Network

Now you must inform your network where incoming Plex connections should come from. It’s your Plex server’s static IP address in this instance.

Port Forwarding should be enabled.

  1. Connect to your router’s web interface and log in using your username and password.
  2. Look for the port forwarding options after you’ve signed in.
  3. Fill up the fields with your Plex server information after you’ve found the port forwarding settings for your network.
  4. Plex is the name of the application since it does nothing in the configuration.
  5. External Port: This instructs the router to look for Plex traffic on this port. Except for reserved numbers, it may be adjusted to anything. It’s more practical to utilize 32401.
  6. Internal Port: This is where your router gets the information on where to send Plex traffic on the LAN. As you said, it should be 32400, which is the default.
  7. The protocol specifies the kind of connection traffic that will be routed. Set it to either TCP or Both, but just TCP is needed.
  8. Device IP: This identifies the path used by your Plex server from the static IP address. While setting up your Plex server, you also noticed this.
  9. The Enabled check box allows you to toggle Plex port forwarding on and off. Make sure it’s turned on.
  10. To reboot your router with the updated VPN for Plex settings, click OK and then leave.

When using a VPN, you can’t connect to a Plex server.

If your Plex app is unable to connect to your Plex Media Server, check the following:

  • You’re using the most recent version of Plex Media Server. (The most recent version may be found on the Downloads page.)
  • You’ve properly logged into your Plex Media Server using your Plex credentials.
  • Your account is linked to your app and you are logged in.
  • Make sure you’ve installed the correct version of Plex Media Server and that it’s up and running.
  • Check your Devices page to see whether your Server is displayed.
  • Turn off your VPN on your PC or network.
  • On your PC or home wifi, disable proxies.

After you’ve double-checked them, go ahead and do the following:

  1. Plex Media Server and the app both need you to sign out of your Plex account.
  2. Go to your Plex Server account and log in.
  3. Log in to your account on the plex App.
  4. Check different things depending on whether the app is local or remote to your Server.

Is it true that using a VPN slows down Plex?

Although a VPN may be helpful in a number of circumstances, it does have certain drawbacks. The difficulty of fetching material when streaming is one of the problems with utilizing a VPN with Plex. It tries to send data via the VPN IP address instead of your main IP address. However, you may easily prevent this issue.

Although a VPN may delay access somewhat, premium VPNs provide limitless bandwidth and the best possible speeds to prevent buffering when watching.

Because free VPN services do not provide limitless bandwidth, they are not a choice. Another benefit of a premium VPN is that it uses OpenVPN or its own proprietary protocol for quicker speeds.

As a result, regardless of how fast your connection is or how quickly you can upload material from your Plex server, the best VPNs will use OpenVPN to route your traffic at the quickest possible speed.

It simply takes a few steps to obtain your Plex VPN bypass and access your Plex media server via a VPN. There are two ways to use Plex to connect to a VPN. (Find out how to turn off VPN on Windows 10)

Simply redirect the port on your router to ‘32400,’ which is the same internal port as your Plex Server.

You may also use a VPN and the instructions below to access Plex from afar:

  1. Download the VPN program of your choice.
  2. Set up a virtual private network (VPN) on your computer.
  3. You may also get the OpenVPN config file from the website of your VPN provider (OpenVPN is the best protocol to deal with this)
  4. Load the OpenVPN config files into your VPN program, and your VPN is up and running.
  5. On your Windows computer, configure your router for port forwarding.
  6. Using the server settings, assign a different port for Plex.
  7. Once you’ve done that, a green checkmark should appear in the Plex Remote Access VPN settings.

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The best vpn for plex remote access is a guide that will show you how to use Plex with VPN.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use Plex with VPN?

Yes, you can use Plex with a VPN.

How do I run Plex through VPN?

In order to run Plex through a VPN, you will need to use the following steps.

How do I use Plex with NordVPN?

To use Plex with NordVPN, you will need to make sure that your VPN is connected and then open the Plex app. If you still cannot connect, try restarting your device and connecting again.

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