Regarding Compatibility Issues with “STRM+HTTP 302 Redirect” on Windows Systems

[vic4728 5]

Hello,

       The Emby deployment environment uses Docker, and the Emby version is 4.9.1.80.

       Recently, my Emby program has integrated the STRM+HTTP 302 Redirect functionality. This feature primarily utilizes relevant software to generate STRM files for video files stored on network drives, then downloads them to the Emby server. The client then uses HTTP 302 Redirect technology to directly access the video files stored on the network drive. This significantly reduces server read/write load. However, we've encountered an issue: while this technology works flawlessly on Emby clients for Android and iOS systems, it fails to play videos properly on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems using Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or the Emby for Windows client. We hope you can provide an effective solution.

This image contains STRM file information; Emby can successfully extract the video's media information.

When playing videos, Microsoft Edge just keeps loading like this.

Emby for Windows cannot play videos.

 

embyserver (2).txt

Edited October 24, 2025 by vic4728
Revised

[Luke 42077]

HI, the url hosting the content sent back a 403 forbidden error. Maybe that is your issue.

[vic4728 5]

1 hour ago, Luke said:

您好，托管内容的 URL 返回了 403 禁止访问错误。这可能是您的问题。

Hello, but the same URL and the same video can be played normally on both Android and iOS clients.

[Luke 42077]

Can you find out why the url is sending back 403 forbidden? The answer to that will help guide us to the solution.

[vic4728 5]

18 hours ago, Luke said:

 

Hello,

I'm afraid I can't help you troubleshoot the 403 Forbidden error, as I'm not familiar with coding or programming. I apologize for that. However, I can provide the internet address of my Emby server for testing. Please note my server is located in China, so I'm unsure if you'll be able to connect normally.

I conducted multiple tests again today. The results are as follows:

1. Apple iPad

1.1 Playback is normal, but it automatically exits once when switching audio languages.

1.2 Subtitles display correctly during playback sometimes, but fail to appear at other times.

2. Android 14 System

Playback is normal, but subtitles do not display consistently during every playback session.

3. Google Chrome

Video plays, but there is no audio and subtitles do not display.

4. Microsoft Edge

Video plays, but subtitles are absent and the audio speed is noticeably accelerated.

5. Unofficial Player Hills

Playback is normal with proper audio and subtitles, and the playback is very smooth.

 

 

embyserver (3).txt

[Luke 42077]

Quote

I'm afraid I can't help you troubleshoot the 403 Forbidden error, as I'm not familiar with coding or programming.

It isn't necessarily about coding or programming. Can you ask the server owner?

[vic4728 5]

10 hours ago, Luke said:

它不一定与编码或编程有关。你能问问服务器所有者吗？

Based on my test results, I believe this is a compatibility issue between your browser and the Windows client. Since it functions normally on Android and iOS—particularly on the Hills player where it performs best—this indicates that my protocol is not the problem.

[Luke 42077]

The 403 forbidden errors in the server log are a real thing that needs to be addressed and not ignored. Can you please do that?

[vic4728 5]

21 hours ago, Luke said:

The 403 forbidden errors in the server log are a real thing that needs to be addressed and not ignored. Can you please do that?

Hello! The cause of the previously mentioned 403 error code has been identified. It was a bug in the HTTP 302 redirect program. The program failed to properly synchronize negotiation between the HTTP and HTTPS protocol interfaces. This led to both ports being enabled simultaneously, causing them to compete for connections and resulting in the 403 error. The issue has now been resolved. However, the compatibility issues mentioned earlier still persist.

embyserver10-28.txt

Edited October 27, 2025 by vic4728

[Luke 42077]

1 hour ago, vic4728 said:

Hello! The cause of the previously mentioned 403 error code has been identified. It was a bug in the HTTP 302 redirect program. The program failed to properly synchronize negotiation between the HTTP and HTTPS protocol interfaces. This led to both ports being enabled simultaneously, causing them to compete for connections and resulting in the 403 error. The issue has now been resolved. However, the compatibility issues mentioned earlier still persist.

embyserver10-28.txt 15.06 MB · 0 downloads

What's happening now?

[vic4728 5]

On 10/26/2025 at 3:42 AM, vic4728 said:

Hello,

I'm afraid I can't help you troubleshoot the 403 Forbidden error, as I'm not familiar with coding or programming. I apologize for that. However, I can provide the internet address of my Emby server for testing. Please note my server is located in China, so I'm unsure if you'll be able to connect normally.

I conducted multiple tests again today. The results are as follows:

1. Apple iPad

1.1 Playback is normal, but it automatically exits once when switching audio languages.

1.2 Subtitles display correctly during playback sometimes, but fail to appear at other times.

2. Android 14 System

Playback is normal, but subtitles do not display consistently during every playback session.

3. Google Chrome

Video plays, but there is no audio and subtitles do not display.

4. Microsoft Edge

Video plays, but subtitles are absent and the audio speed is noticeably accelerated.

5. Unofficial Player Hills

Playback is normal with proper audio and subtitles, and the playback is very smooth.

 

 

embyserver (3).txt 43 MB · 0 downloads

11 hours ago, Luke said:

What's happening now?

 

The issues described above still exist.

[Luke 42077]

What time did the problem occur? The log looks nice and clean.

[vic4728 5]

12 hours ago, Luke said:

What time did the problem occur? The log looks nice and clean.

When using a browser to watch movies in STRM format, you may encounter situations where there is no sound or no subtitles.

[Luke 42077]

Strange. Maybe StrmAssistnat is causing some problem?

[vic4728 5]

20 hours ago, Luke said:

Strange. Maybe StrmAssistnat is causing some problem?

It must be related to StrmAssistnat. After looking into it, it could be that the browser doesn't support STRM well. But I can't understand why EMBY on Windows is also having issues. The Android and iOS clients work fine, and using the Hills of Windows player also works normally.

[Luke 42077]

The web app does support strm. It is tested constantly.

[vic4728 5]

19 hours ago, Luke said:

The web app does support strm. It is tested constantly.

I just retested it again. I'm not sure if it's because your Emby for Windows client updated to version 2.324.2.0 and fixed the previous issues, or if it's due to other reasons. After watching the same movie using Emby for Windows 2.324.2.0, the subtitle and audio issues are now resolved. However, subtitles still don't display properly and audio doesn't play when using the browser to play the movie

Edited October 31, 2025 by vic4728
Revised