Plex is a popular American video streaming and media player platform. Since its release, Plex has been used as an organizer for video, audio, and photos for the personal media collection. With its easy-to-use interface, it allows users to find media to watch conveniently. Plex offers both browser access as well as app access, making it a platform that can be used on the go. Amongst all these perks of using Plex for entertainment, it has been seen to cause some issues for users when they try to play a video on the platform. Our today’s guide is based on Plex an error occurred while attempting to play video which shall help you with different ways to fix this issue. Along with it, we will also be covering some points on why Plex unable to play media error occurs, exploring different reasons behind it. So, let us begin with our informative doc on Plex and its video-playing error.

- Fix Plex an Error Occurred While Attempting to Play Video
- Method 1: Resolve Internet Connectivity Issue
- Method 2: Restart Plex App
- Method 3: Play Smaller Video
- Method 4: Delete Old Devices
- Method 5: Update Display Drivers
- Method 6: Tweak Audio Settings
- Method 7: Update Plex App
- Method 8: Disable H264 Maximum Level
- Method 9: Edit Transcoder Settings
- Method 10: Downgrade Server
- Method 11: Add AC3 Code to Plex
Fix Plex an Error Occurred While Attempting to Play Video
Plex is a global media streaming platform that is used by millions of users. Many of these users have been facing problems in playing video. There are a couple of reasons that have been found to trigger this issue. Knowing these causes will help you resolve the error better and more efficiently. So, have a look at some of the known triggering causes for video error in Plex below:
- Using Plex demands time and effort. Being a new user, you can leave out some important considerations that can cause the app to act up or videos in it to buffer .
- An unreliable network connection is another reason to cause issues with Plex.
- An outdated version of Plex can also interfere with the video playing feature.
- Unsupported MKV files can also result in an error while playing videos in Plex.
- Outdated display drivers of your device are another trigger point for video-playing error in Plex.
Now that you are aware of the different reasons that are usually behind play media errors in Plex, it is time to resolve them with corresponding fixes. So, let us begin with our first method below and check if the error can be resolved:
Method 1: Resolve Internet Connectivity Issue
If an error occurred while attempting to play the audio stream on Plex for you then you must first check and then resolve internet connectivity issues on your device. Plex media demands a good internet network and you must make sure that your internet signal is at least 5 Mbps to stream videos of your choice without interference. Therefore, on encountering a weak internet connection, you can try to speed it up with the help of our guide on Slow Internet Connection? 10 Ways to Speed up your Internet!

Method 2: Restart Plex App
The next method that you can try after resolving internet issues involves restarting the Plex app. This method helps to refresh the app and resolve minor glitches that the app can encounter. It is quite easy to restart Plex:
Exit Plex by closing the app on your device.
Now, wait for at least 5 minutes and launch Plex again.

- Play a video in Plex and check if the error has been resolved.
Method 3: Play Smaller Video
An audio stream is currently in use Plex error can occur due to a specific video as well. You can verify this reason by switching to a different video . You can also try to play smaller files and check if the video play error persists. You can simply go through different types of media on the platform and try to run a video to resolve the issue.
Method 4: Delete Old Devices
Next, you must take into consideration other devices that might be linked to your Plex account. These may include Plex Web, Plex Cloud, Plex for Roku, Plex for Android , and others. In the case of so many devices, your media player can act up and interfere with video streaming. This issue is caused due to devices using the same server resources like interrupt requests, memory, and other factors operating at the same time. Therefore, to resolve Plex an error occurred while attempting to play video, you must remove or delete old accounts attached to Plex:
- Open your Plex account on your device and click on the Settings icon at the top.
- Now, select Authorized Devices from the left panel and click on ALL .

Select the red X icon beside specific devices to remove them.
Confirm deletion and restart the app to check if the issue has been resolved.
Method 5: Update Display Drivers
As mentioned above in the reasons behind play video error on Plex, outdated display drivers of your device can be a prominent cause. Therefore, these drivers should be updated regularly to avoid such problems. You can go through our informative guide on 4 Ways to Update Graphics Drivers in Windows 10 for more.

Method 6: Tweak Audio Settings
The next method in an error occurred like Plex unable to play media error while attempting to play the audio stream involves tweaking audio settings in Plex. You can switch to DTS 5.1 audio track if you previously had PCM 5.1 . You can also try switching to AC3 to resolve the error occurrence. While switching to a different audio setting is an option, many users have also tried disabling audio passthrough to fix the issue. You can also disable audio passthrough in Plex using the steps below:
- Launch your Plex account and click on your profile icon in it.
- Now, launch Account Settings and in the ADVANCED section, select Player .

- Finally, open Audio passthrough and select Disabled in it.
Method 7: Update Plex App
To fix an audio stream is currently in use Plex error, you must update the outdated version of the Plex app on your device. You can easily update the app from Microsoft Store on your Windows PC using the steps below:
- Hit the Windows key to open Microsoft Store from the search bar.

- Now, open Library in Microsoft Store .

Navigate to the Taskbar to update Plex Media Server and right-click on the Plex Media Server icon .
Finally, click on Check for Updates .

Method 8: Disable H264 Maximum Level
You can also resolve Plex unable to play media error by disabling the H264 maximum level in Plex. You can disable this feature in Plex using the following steps:
- Click on the profile icon in your Plex account.
- Now, open Account Settings from the drop-down menu.

Next, select ADVANCED in it.
Now, locate H264 Maximum Level to disable it.
Method 9: Edit Transcoder Settings
Processing power is necessary to run the Plex server run efficiently. This processing power helps Plex to transcode files and stream videos. Hence, high CPU power is required to run these processes simultaneously. To resolve Plex an error occurred while attempting to play video, you need to change the transcoder settings of the app. You must change the default settings to match your CPU performance. You can do this by reducing the quality of transcoded files to free CPU space. Look at the steps below to know more about how to edit transcoder settings:
- Launch the Settings menu from your Plex home page .

Now, select Transcoder in it and change the current setting to a different one .
You can choose from qualities including Automatic, Make my CPU hurt, Prefer higher quality encoding, and Prefer high-speed encoding .
Method 10: Downgrade Server
You can also try downgrading the server if an error occurred while attempting to play the audio stream problem has not been resolved till now. On upgrading the Plex server, some files might fail to play. Hence, to continue watching videos and media on the platform, you can downgrade the media server to the previous version.
Note : The following steps are for Windows OS users.
- Launch Plex Media Server by navigating to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Plex Media Server in Run Dialog Box (Windows+R) .

- Now, locate the PMS folder and open it to choose the previous updated version of Plex that you wish to install.
Method 11: Add AC3 Code to Plex
The last method to help you resolve an audio stream is currently in use Plex error involves adding AC3 code to Plex. It is possible that you might be playing a media format that is not available for direct playback. If a format is unsupported, it will have its audio transcoded to AC3 automatically. You will encounter an issue if the AC3 codec is not generated properly. Therefore, you need to add AC3 codec to Plex to resolve this issue:
Using your web browser , download the video file .
Add the downloaded file to your Plex Library .

- Now, play the video file and it will generate the AC3 codec as you play the media player.
Once done, play the video stream again which you were unable to do earlier, and check if the issue has finally been resolved.
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Desktop printers are extremely useful if you are involved in a lot of paperwork or work for a firm that demands you to print often. But, do you know what is handier? It’s remote desktop printing that allows the software to print to your local printer from a terminal server without any physical interaction with the printer. If you are already an RDP user, you must be aware of the hassle of remote desktop printer redirection. If so, then you have landed on the right page as our today’s topic is centered on local printer not showing in remote desktop. We will be discussing RDP redirection in detail and will also uncover reasons why is remote desktop printer redirection not working Windows 10. So, let us begin right away with our guide and help you fix the remote desktop redirected printer not printing to make the process of remote printing easier & enjoyable for you.

- 6 Fixes for Local Printer Not Showing in Remote Desktop
- Method 1: Enable Printer Connection
- Method 2: Ensure Driver Installation on Server
- Method 3: Allow Client Printer Redirection on Server
- Method 4: Check Windows Firewall
- Method 5: Configure Windows Remote Desktop Settings
- Method 6: Rename Client Computer
- What is Remote Desktop Printer Redirection?
- What Leads to Remote Desktop Redirected Printer Not Printing?
6 Fixes for Local Printer Not Showing in Remote Desktop
Below are a few fixes that will help you with the printer not showing in the remote desktop issue easily. These solutions are tested & tried and can help you while you are experiencing this problem on your desktop:
Method 1: Enable Printer Connection
The first method that we are going to discuss today involves enabling printer connection. Before starting with other fixes, you must ensure that the Printers option is selected in the Remote Desktop Connection settings. You can check it by launching the Remote Desktop Connection window and then following the steps given below:
- To launch RDC , press Windows + R keys to open the Run command prompt box.

- Now, type in mstsc in the box and press Enter key.

- Next, click on Show Options in the RDC dialog box.

- Now, in the Local Resources tab, make sure that the Printers option is selected.

Method 2: Ensure Driver Installation on Server
In this method, you must make sure that the drivers are installed on the server to run the printer which is seeming to cause remote desktop printer redirection not working Windows 10 issue. If the drivers are not installed on the computer to which you are connected, you will be unable to access the printer. So, you must ensure drive installation using the steps given below:
- Again, launch the Run box, this time right-click on the Windows icon to select Run .

- Now, enter control panel in the box to open the next window.

- Now, open the Hardware and Sound utility.

- In the next window, click on View Devices and Printers .

- Next, select a printer of your choice and click on Print server properties .

- Now, in the Drivers tab, check the installed printer drivers.

Method 3: Allow Client Printer Redirection on Server
As you know, if a remote desktop redirected printer not printing issue is encountered on your system, it is most probably due to server settings. This server setup can prevent the printers from printing if the system is running a Windows server. So, you must log in to the server and follow the steps below to allow client printer redirection on the server:
Note 1 : The following steps can be performed for Windows 10/11.
- Press Windows + R keys simultaneously and enter gpedit.msc in the Run box.

- Now, navigate to Computer Configuration and select Administrative Templates .

Then, choose Windows Components and select Remote Desktop Services in the Local Group Policy Editor window.
Next, click on Remote Desktop Session Host and open Printer Redirection .
Click on Do not allow client printer redirection and select Not Configured or Disabled in it.
Note 2 : The following steps can be performed for Windows 2012 .
Launch the Server Manager application in your system.
Now, click on Remote Desktop Services .
Next, click on Collections from the drop-down menu.
Now, select Tasks and click on Edit Properties .
Finally, under the Client Settings tab, make sure that Windows Printer is enabled.
Note 3 : The following steps can be performed on Windows 2008 .
Click on the Start icon and launch Administrative Tools .
Next, click on Remote Desktop Services, and lastly select Remote Desktop Session Host Configuration .
Now, select Connections and right-click on the name of the connection .
Now, click on Properties and select Client Settings .
Finally, make sure that Windows Printer is not checked.
Method 4: Check Windows Firewall
The next method involves checking the Windows Firewall of your system to fix the issue of the local printer not showing in remote desktop. Sometimes, Windows Firewall can become restrictive in terms of allowing certain programs or applications to work. In this case, the inbound ICMP protocol which is used to establish ping connections might be prohibited by default by the Firewall which might be the reason why you cannot see your printer working on the remote desktop. Therefore, you must either unblock the program through the Firewall of your system or simply disable it to process undisturbed printing. You can learn a great deal about How to Block or Unblock Programs in Windows Defender Firewall with the help of our guide here.

Method 5: Configure Windows Remote Desktop Settings
There can also be issues with your remote desktop that might be interfering with displaying the printer on your system. This issue has also been a common reason behind remote desktop printer redirection. If so, you must check if the remote connection is allowed on the machine. In case you are facing issues with the remote desktop connection, you can resolve it with the help of our guide on Fix Remote Desktop Won’t Connect in Windows 10 .

Method 6: Rename Client Computer
For some users, renaming the client computer has helped in resolving the local printer not showing in remote desktop issue. You can rename the client workstation (from which the RDS session has been established) to 14 characters or less .
What is Remote Desktop Printer Redirection?
- Remote desktop printer redirection helps users to operate their local printer in a remote environment .
- It allows you to use your local printer in a remote session.
- RDP helps companies provide their employees with a consistent computing experience .
- It involves the server acquiring a list of printers on the local client at the start of the RDP session.
- The local client then cross-checks for compatible print drivers that are available on the server once the print job enters the queue.
What Leads to Remote Desktop Redirected Printer Not Printing?
RDP is no exception to the faults that other printers encounter. One of the main issues that users face with RDP is printer redirection. There are a number of issues that occur while using a remote desktop that has been claimed to cause the redirecting problem:
- A large number of printers can be an issue as RDP redirection only works if you installed several drivers to initiate the connection.
- A disabled printer connection is another reason behind the issue.
- Your server setup can also restrict printers from showing on remote desktops.
- Wrong system configurations can also result in the mentioned problem.
- If the remote connection is not permitted on the machine, it can result in the printer not printing.
- Another possible reason behind this problem can be Windows Firewall which acts restrictive sometimes.
Q1. How can you add a printer that is not visible?
Ans. You can add a printer that is not visible by selecting the View Devices and Printers option in the Control Panel . There, you can add a printer including a local printer or printer with manual settings.
Q2. Why am I not able to see the printer?
Ans. If you disabled Ascertain that File, Printer Sharing, and Network Discovery features on the printer server or the computer to which the printer is physically attached then you won’t be able to access or connect to the server’s printers.
Q3. Why is my printer not showing up?
Ans. In case your printer is not showing up, you can try restarting the printer . You can also try unplugging the printer to see if it works.
Q4. How can I use my local printer when connected to VPN?
Ans. If you want to use your local printer when connected to VPN, you must make your device visible to the local network .
Q5. How can I manually locate my printer?
Ans. You can manually locate your printer by navigating to Control Panel and accessing Device and Printers in it where you will be able to locate the available printers.
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