Do you use the Plex app on your LG Smart TV to stream media from your Plex Media Server ? 

The Plex app on LG Smart TVs provides a great way to stream your personal media libraries to the big screen. However, some users encounter problems with the Plex app not working properly on their LG TVs. 

If you've found that Plex is not loading your content libraries, is constantly buffering, or will not connect to your Plex server at all recently, there are several fixes you can try to get the app working properly again. 

Here at Smart Home Apt, we shall look into the main solutions for resolving Plex connectivity issues on LG Smart TVs.

Common causes for issues with Plex not working on an LG Smart TV includes:

• Outdated software. If your LG Smart TV is running an older version of webOS, pre-3.5, it will not support the latest Plex app. An outdated Plex Media Server version can also cause connectivity issues. Update your TV and server software to the latest releases.
• Network connectivity problems. For Plex to function, you need a fast, stable network connection. A weak Wi-Fi signal, loose Ethernet cable, or network bandwidth that is too slow can all disrupt the Plex app. Improve your network connection and bandwidth for fixing issues.
• Incorrect Plex account login. If you've recently changed your Plex username or password, you'll need to sign out of the Plex app on your LG TV and sign in again with the updated login details. Not using the correct credentials will prevent the app from accessing your media libraries.
• Server overload. If your Plex Media Server is underpowered, old, or low on storage space, it may have trouble keeping up with requests from the Plex app to stream media. Consider upgrading your server hardware for better performance in supporting Plex streaming on your LG TV.
• HDMI-CEC interference. The HDMI-CEC feature on your LG TV can sometimes disrupt the Plex app and its connectivity with your Plex Media Server. You may need to disable HDMI-CEC in your TV settings to rule it out as a possible cause of problems.
• App or firmware issues. In rare cases, there may be a glitch with the Plex app software on your LG TV or an issue with the TV's firmware that is causing the app problems. Reinstalling the Plex app, restarting/resetting your TV, or performing a factory reset of the TV may be required to fix any issues with the app itself or firmware.

How to fix Plex Not Working on Your LG Smart TV ?

1. Ensure That Your LG TV Is Compatible With Plex

If your LG TV is from 2016 or later and runs webOS, then it is compatible with the Plex app. To determine if your LG TV is compatible with the Plex app, you'll need to check the year of your model. Look for the model number in the system menu of your TV or find a sticker on the back of the device. 

For a more detailed guide on how to find your model number, visit the Official Resource Here.

If you own an LG TV that was released before 2016, it is more cost-effective and easier to add a streaming stick than to replace the TV.

You can enjoy Plex on your TV (smart or otherwise) by adding a Fire TV Stick or a Roku streaming stick. Both devices are user-friendly and provide access to all the popular streaming apps.

2. Power Cycle the LG TV

If you are experiencing an issue with your app, a possible remedy is to restart the device. This may resolve any software glitches that may be causing the problem.

When you press the power button on your LG webOS TV, it won't actually reboot. Instead, the TV will go into standby mode, which enables it to turn on more quickly. Unfortunately, this can cause software issues to accumulate over time.

To force your LG TV to reboot fully:

• Unplug it from the power outlet.
• Hold down the power button on the TV itself for at least 60 seconds.
• Then plug it back into the wall.

Give the Plex app another go. Remember, it's often helpful to restart your device if you're experiencing any issues - so keep these steps handy.

3. Test the Speed of Your Internet Connection

Plex and other streaming and video applications can suffer from buffering issues due to slow internet speed. In extreme cases, internet speed may be too slow or unreliable to even allow a connection to the Plex servers.

You can check the speed of your internet connection on either your computer or phone. Ensure that the device you are using is connected to the same network as your TV. Additionally, when using your phone, make sure to turn off mobile data, so that it is connected only to Wi-Fi.

If your internet speeds are slower than 3-4 Mbps for standard streaming or 5-8 Mbps for HD, you should consider increasing your connection speed in order to ensure a better streaming experience. So do the following:

• Investigate potential sources of disruption or interference (e.g., numerous walls between your router and television).
• Reboot your router and modem (refer to the next tip).
• Reach out to your internet service provider to determine if there are any network issues or if an upgrade is required.

4. Reboot your router and modem

The issue may not be with your TV or the Plex application but may be the local Wi-Fi network.

Rather than spending time attempting to locate and fix every potential network issue, it's simpler to just reset your network and see if that resolves the problem. Additionally, it's recommended to restart your network once a month to keep it running optimally.

Before you continue, ensure that no one in your household is currently connected to the internet. This reboot process may result in a disruption of network and internet access for approximately five minutes.

Alright, let's begin:

• Disconnect the power cord from your router and modem.
• Pause for 30 seconds.
• Reconnect the power cables.
• Allow a few minutes for the modem and router to power up.

After your TV is reconnected to the network, attempt to launch the Plex app. If you had slow internet speeds while conducting a speed test, now is a great time to conduct another one. Restarting the router frequently increases speeds temporarily, but it won't address every issue.

5. Perform LG TV Firmware Update

Firmware updates can often resolve any issues you may be having with your TV apps, just as app updates do.

LG Smart TVs come equipped with an auto-update feature, but users have the option to manually initiate a firmware update as well. Although it isn't essential, this feature is helpful in the event that the automatic update is disabled or fails to work properly without alerting the user.

So do the following:

• Press the Settings button on your remote.
• Then navigate to the All Settings menu and open the General tab. 
• Select About this TV and click Check for updates. 
• Once the update has been installed, follow the instructions to power cycle your TV.

After updating the firmware, attempt to use the Plex app once more.

6. Reinstall the Plex Application

If your LG TV has an app-specific issue, reinstalling the app can be a quick and easy way to fix it. This action will clear all the data associated with the app, while manually clearing the cache will not.

To get Plex up and running again, you'll need to uninstall the app and then install it again.

To uninstall the Plex app from your remote:

• Press the Home button and then select and hold the Plex app icon. 
• Once you do this, click on the trash bin icon that appears above the app.
• Confirm the uninstallation by pressing Yes in the pop-up.

To Reinstall Plex on your LG TV:

• Press the Home button on the remote.
• Then select the LG Content Store. 
• Use the search icon in the top right of the screen and type in Plex. 
• Select the Plex search result, then press the Install button.

Attempt to access the Plex app once more. You must provide your sign-in credentials, since the details from the prior setup will not be transferred.

7. Agree to LG's Terms and Conditions

You must accept all of the license agreements in order for some of LG's features and apps to function.

To do this:

• Press the Settings button on your remote.
• Navigate to All Settings.
• Open the General tab and select About this TV.
• Now, click User Agreements. 
• Once there, ensure that Accept All has been selected.

8. Check the TV Location Settings

The geographical location of a person can limit their access to certain streaming content and entire streaming applications.

Streaming applications such as Plex often use their own methods to verify a user's location, but at times they may also confirm this by checking the location setting of the user's LG TV.

To do this:

• Press the Settings button on your remote control to enter All Settings. 
• Select the General tab, then System, and then Location. 
• Make sure the zip code is correct for your current location, and adjust it if necessary.

9. Turn Off VPN if applicable

The vast majority of video applications and streaming services attempt to block VPN traffic. If you are running a VPN that Plex has successfully blocked, you will probably be unable to access your streaming content. The most simple method to determine this is to turn off the VPN and try the connection again.

10. Give Plex a Try on a Different Device

Attempt to launch Plex on your computer or any other gadget on your network. 

If Plex works on your other devices but not your TV, reach out to LG support . 

However, if Plex isn't functioning on any of your devices, the issue could be with your Plex account or with Plex's servers.

11. Find Out the Status of Your Plex Server

Downdetector is a helpful tool to determine if other people in your local area are experiencing issues with Plex. Usually, Plex disruptions are local and resolved quickly.

If you can't find anything on Downdetector, it's probably time to Contact Plex support or check Plex Twitter Support Page for a more up-to-date information.

12. Perform Factory Reset Your TV

It's time to take a final step in resolving the streaming app issues: performing a factory reset. This will delete all the settings, including those for Plex, on your TV. Although it will eliminate all the data and settings, it could be the solution to the streaming problems.

To do this:

• Press the Settings button on your remote control. 
• Navigate to the All Settings menu.
• Open the General tab and select the Reset to Initial Settings option. 
• Click OK to confirm the reset.

Give it one more go! Now that you've updated the software and firmware, the Plex app should be running properly on your LG TV.