You’re ready for movie night. Snacks? Check. Couch? Comfy. Plex server? Loaded with all your favorite shows. But wait… why are your shows suddenly unavailable on your TV? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This hiccup happens more often than you’d think.
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If your Plex server shows are unavailable on your TV, the issue could be a network problem, server settings, or device compatibility. Restart everything first—TV, router, and server. Make sure your server is on and connected to the same network. Still broken? Keep reading for more fixes!
First: The Good Old Restart
Before we enter full-on tech detective mode, hit the universal fix button: restart.
- Restart your TV.
- Restart your Plex server.
- Restart your Wi-Fi router.
Sometimes, devices just lose their minds. A fresh reboot can magically solve these mystery moments.
Check If Your Plex Server Is Actually Running
Yes, it sounds silly. But is your server even on?
On the computer or device running Plex Media Server:
- Open Plex.
- Look for the Plex icon in your taskbar or system tray.
- If it’s not there, the server isn’t running. Try launching it manually.
Also, make sure your media hasn’t been moved or renamed. If Plex can’t find the files, they’ll appear as “unavailable.”
Network Check: Same Wi-Fi?
Your TV and your Plex server must be BFFs—that means they need to be on the same network.
- Use your TV’s settings to see which network it’s on.
- Then, check the computer or NAS running Plex. Is it on the same Wi-Fi?
- If not, that’s your problem right there.
Also, avoid using “guest” networks. They often block communication between devices.
Is Your App and Server Updated?
Outdated systems can cause all sorts of problems. Make sure you’re using the latest version of:
- Plex Media Server
- Plex app on your TV
On the Plex website, download the most recent server version. For your TV, go to its app store and check for updates.
Even one version off can make things go wacky.
Enable Remote Access (Even If You’re Home)
This might seem weird, but remote access settings can affect local streaming too. To make sure it’s all good:
- In Plex on your server, go to Settings.
- Click Remote Access.
- If it says “Not available outside your network,” click the button to enable it.
Sometimes Plex gets confused and won’t stream to local devices if this is off.
Device Compatibility Issues
Different TVs handle things differently. Roku, Samsung, LG, Fire TV—they all play by their own rules.
If your video file doesn’t match what your TV can play, Plex will try to transcode it (convert it on the fly). But if your server can’t handle the load, the show won’t play and might show as unavailable.
Solutions:
- Try playing the file on another device (like your phone or PC).
- Use Plex Web to see if the file plays there.
- Convert your media to a more compatible format like MP4 with H.264.
Plex Database Issues
Sometimes your Plex library gets a bit confused—like when you rearrange a bookshelf and forget where everything goes.
Here’s how to fix that:
- Go to your Plex Web App.
- Click on a library (like TV Shows).
- Click the three dots and choose Manage Library > Scan Library Files.
Still broken? Try Empty Trash and Clean Bundles from the library settings. This tells Plex to tidy up its internal database.
Firewall and Antivirus Shenanigans
Your PC or server might be overprotective. Firewalls or antivirus tools can block the Plex server from talking to your TV.
Steps to fix:
- Add Plex as an exception to your antivirus.
- In Windows Firewall, allow Plex through the firewall on both public and private networks.
Be safe—but not so safe that your media can’t leave the house.
DLNA and Network Discovery
If your TV supports DLNA, Plex can talk to it that way as a backup.
Turn on DLNA in your Plex server settings:
- Go to Settings > Server > DLNA.
- Enable “Enable the DLNA server”.
It’s an old-school way of sharing, but sometimes it works when everything else doesn’t.
Hardware transcoding problems
If you’ve enabled hardware transcoding but your system doesn’t support it well, it could lead to shows being marked unavailable.
Try disabling it:
- Open your Plex server settings.
- Go to Transcoder.
- Uncheck “Use Hardware Acceleration When Available”.
This will make your CPU do the work, but sometimes that’s more stable.
Last Resort: Reinstall the Plex App
If everything else fails, uninstall and reinstall the Plex app on your TV.
Clearing the cache or app data may also help:
- Go to the Settings menu on your TV.
- Find the Plex app.
- Select Clear Cache and Clear Data.
You’ll need to sign in again after, but sometimes a fresh start is all it takes.
Bonus Fixes You Might Not Think Of
- Check the file path: If you moved the files to a new folder, Plex may have lost track of them.
- Simplify file names: Weird symbols or long names can confuse your TV’s Plex app.
- Use a wired connection: Ethernet is way more stable than Wi-Fi, if you can manage it.
And We’re Streaming Again!
Hopefully, one of these steps got you back to binge-watching comfort. Plex is powerful, but a tiny misstep can cause a big mess. Bookmark this guide—because let’s face it, tech has a sneaky way of breaking down on a Friday night.
So, next time your Plex server shows go AWOL, just breathe, reboot, and walk down this checklist. Soon enough, you’ll be back to watching that cliffhanger episode with a plate full of nachos in hand.
