Remote Connection Lost- Says Unable to Reach (***Server Name***)

[brianfriske 3]

I apologize if there's a good trouble shoot comment on here, but I just can't seem to find it.

While traveling my Emby app on my iPhone stopped connecting. I think it had to do with my daughter accidentally unplugging the router at the house and resetting something maybe?  They plugged it all in, internet is back, but remote access stopped working.  When manually trying to connect is says Unable to Reach (****Server Name***)  I have my server running on a Mac mini version 4.7.14.0 I had port forwarding set up through my century link router/modem which connected to my google mesh router.  Both the CL router and Google Mesh have port forwarding set up.  Here is what I have done since.  (My local network works perfect via WiFi)

1. Reset server/shut down server

2. Removed server and re-downloaded it onto Mac mini- this created a new Remote WAN access- which I've tried to use to no avail.

3. Restarted both CL router & Google Mesh.  Deleted port forwarding and re-applied it

4. Checked my network settings - remotes access is turned on, enabled automatic port mapping

5. Disabled UPnP on Google mesh router to see if that helped- it did not

I'm using 8096 for the Port - setting is TCP as well (it has been this the whole time and worked great until I lost the connection)

There is a new version 4.9.1.80 it says but I'm nervous trying to download it and not quite sure how to honestly reinstall it- when I click on the link it gives me three options for MacOS 

• macOS 10.14+ X64
• macOS 10.14+ ARM64 (M1, M2)
• macOS 10.13 

I don't know what version is the newer version.  My Mac mini is older (2014) and running on macOS Monterey

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated,  I do have Emby Premier (not sure that matters)

[Luke 42077]

Hi, are you able to connect from other devices inside the server's local network?

[brianfriske 3]

Yes, my iphone works, as well as all my apps on my tvs/firestick on the local network. Its the remote portion that doesn't work on my phone (away from the house) as well as another device at work which also stopped working. 

[Luke 42077]

Have you checked to see if your ISP is using a CGNat? If they are it will require using a VPN to get around, or calling them and requesting a static IP.

[brianfriske 3]

I do believe it's using CGNat. I do have a VPN.  What address do i try to connect to?  VPN?  Emby remote WAN?  I feel like ive tried both addresses and they havent worked. How does VPN fix the problem?

Thank you for the help :-)

[Luke 42077]

I would imagine the vpn address. A lot of users around here use vpn's to get around a cgnat. Tailscale is usually the most popular.

 

[brianfriske 3]

I was able to get it to connect through Tailscale.  The problem though I'm having now is I have PIA as a VPN where the server is located and I can't seem to run them both at the same time.  I'm assuming there is a solution to this problem.  It'd a tad annoying having to switch between Tailscale when I want remote access and PIA VPN when I'm trying to run that.

[Luke 42077]

OK TailScale is what I suggested because it is the most popular around here, but alternatively could you just handle it all with PIA?

That vpn does get mentioned a lot here as well, so I know there are users doing it.

[brianfriske 3]

This is where Im dumbfounded. Emby was flawless up until when my modem and router got unplugged.  Now I cant get remote setting to work. Like mentioned originally Ive tried every kind of IP remote address I can think of and the only time it works now is the Tailscale IP address.  Ive tried PIA VPN address, the remote WAN address. I have port forwarding set up on my century link modem/router, google mesh router, and even PIA's port forwarding option. PIA has an OpenVPN setting and Wiregaurd setting. I've only used the Open VPN and haven't tried Wiregaurd. OpenVPN was working prior though.   Should I start completely over?  I really don't want to and not sure how if I do. 

[Luke 42077]

@brianfriskewere you able to get it connected again?

[brianfriske 3]

Only through tailscale.  For now i have to turn it off when running my VPN and switch between the two. It's doable but not streamline like before. I have a century link modem/router connected to my google mesh. I had port forward set up. That doesnt seem to work. Maybe it has something to do with double nat but before this wasn't an issue. I cant seem to figure out bridge mode without messing up google mesh so im not touching that route. I have disabled the wifi on the century link router. 

[Luke 42077]

2 hours ago, brianfriske said:

Only through tailscale.  For now i have to turn it off when running my VPN and switch between the two. It's doable but not streamline like before. I have a century link modem/router connected to my google mesh. I had port forward set up. That doesnt seem to work. Maybe it has something to do with double nat but before this wasn't an issue. I cant seem to figure out bridge mode without messing up google mesh so im not touching that route. I have disabled the wifi on the century link router. 

OK thanks for following up !