The Plex Media Server (or PMS) offers a user-friendly way of storing media files in one place. This centralized storage makes it easier for you to access them from any device.
So, if you want to use Plex on a Smart TV, the first step is to link your television with your PMS. You can do that by using plex.tv/link to get started. But in recent times, many users have encountered a problem where Plex.tv/link is not working.
Once you know how to connect Plex to a TV, it should be easier for you to start using the service and watch content. But you may encounter a problem when trying to re-link your device (TV, Xbox, Smartphone, etc) to your PMS.
Many users have reported several issues when accessing the plex.tv/link activate. For example, some are unable to sign in to their account and others cannot enter the four-digit code provided.
Why Plex.tv/link isn’t working on your device
You are unable to link Plex to TV because of various reasons, including:
- Plex servers are down
- You are running an outdated version of PMS
- You have already signed into the PMS
Steps to fix plex.tv/link when it isn’t working
You can fix some of the above-mentioned problems using the following methods:
1. Update your Plex Media Server
If you are running an outdated version of the PMS, update it by going to the download page.
When updating the server, first choose your platform (Windows, Linux, Seagate, etc.) so that you can get the latest version. Also, ensure you are using the latest version of your TV or mobile app.
2. Sign out from your Plex account
If your app is unable to connect to the Plex server, chances are you have already signed into the PMS using your Plex account.
It could also mean that your application is signed in and connected to your account. Here is what you can do to fix the problem:
- Sign out of your Plex account in both the PMS and app
- Log in to your Plex account in the Plex Media Server
- Sign in to your account in the Plex app or through plex.tv/link sign in
If you can’t connect to the Plex server, it is useful that you ensure the PMS is actively running.
3. Connect your devices to the same IP range
Some people encounter the error message – “Plex unable to connect to the content server.” In most cases, the problem could be both your PMS and app are not on the same local network.
Your server and the application must be on the same subnet of the network to link correctly.
For example, if your server is on 222.222.0.222, your app must also be on 222.222.0.222. You can change these settings by going to Settings > Server > Network.
4. Connect your app to your Plex account
If you link Plex to TV and the service cannot find the server, it could be you have not connected your player app to your Plex account.
Here is what you should do if Plex can’t find the server.
- Open the app on your TV
- Select Sign In
- A four-character Plex activation code will display on your screen
- Go to plex.tv/link on your desktop browser
- If you do not know where to enter Plex code, look for the space bar that says CODE
- Hit Submit
Once you submit, your player app will refresh. That will complete the step for linking it to your account.
In conclusion
If you are getting the Plex server unavailable error when using plex.tv/link, ensure that your player app and PMS are on the same network or subnet.
The Plex not working error can also occur because the service is experiencing downtime. In that case, you will have to wait until they fix it.
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