Unable to connect remotely using any device

[Max Overdrive 9]

Remote connections were working fine until a few days ago (although they could be spotty sometimes and not work for a few hours at a time). However, since a few days ago, I've been unable to connect remotely to Emby using any device.

 

Emby Connect sign-in works fine, and I see the server ("HTPC") come up in the "Select Server" menu. However, clicking on that server yields a "Connection Failure" error message. Additionally, trying to hit the remote (WAN) URL and port (8096), gives me an ERR_CONNECTION_REFUSED response.

 

I've already ensured that Windows firewall port 8096 TCP inbound and outbound rules are there. Disabling the Windows firewall temporarily (just to test whether it's the issue) doesn't seem to help. I've also port forwarded 8096 to the local network IP of the machine in question. Still no dice.

 

I've attached a server log. Any pointers in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

embyserver.txt

Edited October 30, 2019 by Max Overdrive

[Happy2Play 9782]

Does a site like canyouseeme.org show emby port open?

[Guest asrequested]

What network equipment are you using?

[Max Overdrive 9]

So canyouseeme.org also returns a connection refused message on port 8096.

 

As far as the network setup goes, I have a fiber connection with a Zhone router supplied by my ISP connected to the Internet and then a between that Zhone router and all my wifi devices I have a router connected which is in bridge mode. The HTPC is connected through ethernet to the bridged router.

 

I've tried taking the bridged router out of the equation completely and connecting the ehternet from the Zhone router directly to the HTPC to see if the bridged router was the issue, but still get the same issues with remote access without the bridged router in the equation.

 

Let me know if there's any more info I can provide that would help.

[Guest asrequested]

What gets bridged is the ISP router, so make sure that didn't get reset.

[Happy2Play 9782]

Have you configured port forwarding on your router? 

 

Which would appear to be a virtual server if this model is the same.

 

https://portforward.com/zhone/6748-w1/

[Max Overdrive 9]

Bridging seems to be working fine.

 

I have the port forwarding rule set up as follows in the Zhone router. Does this look right to you guys (10.88.111.25 is the local network IP of the HTPC machine). This is from the Port Forwarding section:

 

Description Protocol Start Port End Port Destination Address Destination Port            

Emby          TCP        8096        8096        10.88.111.25                 8096

 

I also see this under the UPnP Port Forwarding Rules section in the router config:

 

Remote Host External Port Protocol Internal Port Internal Client Status Expires (in seconds) Description  

                       8096               TCP       8096            10.88.111.25   Enable 14394                     Emby Server  

                       8920               TCP       8920            10.88.111.25   Enable 14394                     Emby Server

Edited October 30, 2019 by Max Overdrive

[Happy2Play 9782]

Would appear to be correct.  I don't know if UPnP and manually forwarding will cause a issue or not thought.  I would suggest only using one or the other.  Personally I always disable UPnP, but everyone has there own preferences.

 

Does the router have its own firewall?

[Guest asrequested]

Yeah, disable UPNP on the router and in the server.

[Max Overdrive 9]

So I got this figured out. The problem is that the remote URL that Emby is providing isn't correct. If I hit the public IP of the modem on port 8096, I'm able to access Emby through the browser just fine. I'm sure this isn't Emby's fault, just specific to the way my network is set up.

 

So that being the case, would I just enter the working URL in "Bind to local network address"? I'm not sure exactly where I'd need to put it when looking at the Emby Network section in the server UI.

[Max Overdrive 9]

Also, per your suggestions, I've disabled UPnP in Emby server anyway, and also had my ISP turn off UPnP on the Zhone router (I can't do it through their limited Web-based UI).

[Max Overdrive 9]

Was able to figure out my last question as well, and figured I'd post it here in case it helps anyone else. I had to add the externally-available IP (the public IP of the Zhone router), without port, to the field "External domain:" under the "Network" section in Emby server.

 

Thanks both Doofus and Happy2Play for both of your help getting this figured out.

[Happy2Play 9782]

Was able to figure out my last question as well, and figured I'd post it here in case it helps anyone else. I had to add the externally-available IP (the public IP of the Zhone router), without port, to the field "External domain:" under the "Network" section in Emby server.

 

Thanks both Doofus and Happy2Play for both of your help getting this figured out.

 

This will work as long as your ISP does not change your WAN address.

 

Are you using a VPN?  Was Emby not showing your WAN address before you bound it in External domain?

[Max Overdrive 9]

Yes, I'm have a VPN set up, but wasn't using it, which is why I didn't mention it in the network setup. However, it looks like Emby was still using the VPN IP as the WAN IP. So now I've just set it up in External Domain so that it'll work even if I end up turning the VPN on later.

[Happy2Play 9782]

Okay that makes since.  Emby Connect (app,emby.media) was receiving you vpn address and was not able to port forward to your server.  For connection with vpns you need a service that allows port forwarding.

 

But Emby should have updated your true WAN address when you are not using your VPN.  But I do no know the actual update interval.

[Luke 42080]

 

 

But I do no know the actual update interval.

Every few hours.