Plex channels not responding, and you don’t know what to do?
Well, we can guarantee that in this post you will find some handy methods that will troubleshoot your channels and hopefully get them back working.
The guidelines below are designed to help in every possible way and if your channels are still not responding, at least you will know what to do next.
Your first step is to ensure that the plex media server is up and running. This way you will be able to effectively determine what’s the origin of the issue and ease up your troubleshooting experience.
Then, verify that the server you are using is listed on the device page and disable any VPNs or Proxies throughout your device.
Now, before moving on to the troubleshooting process, let’s first learn what are the possible causes for the issue.
Why Is Plex Channels Media Server Not Responding?
If you are unable to watch channels on Plex and you are stuck on the loading screen, then your channel is being unresponsive.
There are more than few possible causes and here they are:
- Plex Media Server not running
- Server not listed on the device page
- Enabled VPN/Proxy software
- Network issue
- Outdated Plex media server OS
Channels could also be unresponsive due to hardware and internal issues which could only be resolved by specialized technicians.
Note:
Sometimes, lengthy loading screens are a normal thing, so make sure to wait for at least 10-15 minutes.
It is well-known that this issue could be due to server problems within Plex’s headquarters, so make sure to give it some time.
How To Fix Plex Channels Not Responding?
Now you’re going to learn a couple of methods that you can apply at home and hopefully fix the not working Plex channels.
We recommend applying our methods in the order they are listed for the most optimal results.
Method #1 Ensure Plex Is Running
Sometimes, users that have been struggling with this issue share that their Plex Media Server was not actively running.
Because of this, most of their Plex channels weren’t responsive and they had a hard time figuring what might cause this issue.
If Plex’s media server isn’t running, you won’t be able to watch the channels that are being provided, so make sure to verify the functionality of the Plex Server.
If everything with the media server seems to be fine, next we’re going to get rid of some software that might be causing the not responding channels issue.
Method #2 Disable VPN Software
Another common cause for unresponsive channels within Plex is an enabled VPN software.
As you probably know VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and gives you privacy online by creating a network that is private and cannot be interfered with by a public internet connection.
This specific privacy could stop Plex’s media server from broadcasting to your device and make the channels unresponsive so you cannot view them.
All you have to do is temporarily disable any active VPN when watching Plex. This way, you will relive the network and hopefully get rid of the issue.
If your Plex channels aren’t responding, even after you’ve disabled any VPNs, we recommend restarting your modem/router.
This way you will take one step further and completely exclude your network as a possible cause.
Method #3 Power Cycle Device
Another simple measurement that will resolve any temporary power issues within the device is the Power Cycle.
This method involves cleansing the power flow of the device which might interfere with the functionality of some apps such as Plex.
To perform a power cycle, follow the steps below:
- Turn off your TV using the remote.
- Unplug the power cable from the power source.
- Wait for 3-5 minutes.
- Plug the power cable back in.
- Check if the issue persists.
Tip:
During the time your TV is turned off, we also suggest power cycling your remote due to possible issues within its functionality.
Make sure to hold the remote’s power button for about 30 seconds before plugging the power cable back in.
It is also recommended to plug the power cable of your device directly into the power outlet and avoid using power adapters.
Method #4 Update Plex Media Server
if your Plex channels aren’t responsive, you might be running an outdated Plex Media Server OS.
Users that were running an outdated version of the software shared that during that time most of their channels were unresponsive and after an update, the issue was resolved.
In that regard, we suggest heading to the Plex Downloads Page in order to check for any current released version of its OS.
Keep in mind that newer Plex versions could support channels of higher quality.
So, keeping your Plex’s media server up to date is highly recommended.
Method #5 Confirm Sign-In
If you’re not signed in to your Plex account, you won’t be able to view any content within the channels.
Many users share that Plex’s deceptive appearance could sometimes indicate that you are signed in, but when you attempt to view any content, a message will appear informing you to sign in.
We suggest checking the sign-in button located at the top right of the screen, every time entering Plex.
Note:
When you are logging in to Plex for the first time, you will be asked if you want to enable Auto Sign-In.
This feature will keep the user’s credentials from the corresponding IP and every time entering Plex, you will be automatically signed in.
If you have declined the auto-sign when you have logged in for the first time, you will be able to locate this feature in Plex’s options tab.
Read Next: Fix Plex Unable to connect to media server issue.
Plex Channels Issue Still There…
If none of the methods you have applied seem to resolve your issue, your last option remaining is to contact support.
After all, this issue could be due to server malfunction, and upon contacting the support you will have a better understanding of where the issue is coming from.
When mailing the support team, make sure to include everything you’ve tried so far to avoid similar recommendations to the one you have applied in this post.
Bottom Line
We hope that now you know why your Plex channels not responding and most importantly how to resolve the problem at home.
If you were not able to get the channels working, at least you’re one step closer to identifying the true causes. We wish you good luck and an accident-free Plex experience.
For more posts related to Plex issues, check our technical blog that is focusing on solving them.
