Does Surfshark Work With Plex? Tried & Tested Results!

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Good news – Surfshark works with Plex!

Now you can combine the safety and privacy of a stable VPN with an excellent media server like Plex.

Thus, you can stream your favorite content stress-free from anywhere

It’s easy!

Need more convincing? Read on to see how you can use Surfshark as a Plex VPN.

Plex Media Works With Surfshark (See My Test Results)

I usually need to “see it” before I “believe it.”

So, while plenty of other sources already confirm that Surfshark is a great VPN for Plex, I wanted a first-hand account.

Therefore, I tested the Plex VPN and checked out its unblocking abilities over relevant servers, leak protection, and speed.

Let’s look at my results!

Can I Use Surfshark to Access Geo-Restricted Content on Plex?

The answer is yes! Surfshark’s VPN server can unblock geo-restricted content on Plex from anywhere.

Here’s my proof:

For this example, I used my Plex server before connecting to a Surfshark-encrypted VPN tunnel:

plex server

As you can see, I had no issue accessing Plex. This makes sense; the Plex media server is available in most countries.

But! I couldn’t stream 30 Rock. That’s because I’m in South Africa, and this title isn’t available on any locally accessible platforms.

30 rock not available for streaming

I connected to a Surfshark VPN server in the US (Newyork), and then tried again.

Instant success!

I was even provided suggestions on where to stream the series despite my Plex remote access.

connected to surfshark vpn server

When I clicked on the option “Hulu,” I was automatically directed to the streaming site’s library. Here, 30 Rock was displayed as a title, and all I had to do was hit “Play.”

As you can see below, I’m streaming this foreign title. It’s that easy!

click the option hulu

So, Surfshark ticks the box for excellent unblocking functionality and remote Plex VPN access. It really is the best Plex VPN!

Now, the next question.

Does Surfshark Offer DNS Leak Protection for Plex?

Surfshark does offer DNS leak protection for Plex!

This means you can use your Plex server and stream content privately without exposing your location.

As a plus, your internet service provider won’t be able to detect your activity – which means no ISP throttling!

But the proof’s in the pudding.

I did my own leak test to make 100% sure the leak protection works. 

For this, I used dnsleaktest.com.

dns leak protection test for plex

My South African location, IP address, and ISP were masked and replaced with details of the Surfshark VPN server I connected to.

More success!

Can I Stream Plex Content in HD With Surfshark?

Yes, you can stream Plex content in HD with Surfshark.

A quick speed test using Ookla showed me all I needed to know.

First, I captured my base speed (bear with me, I’m using a slow wireless connection), giving a download speed of 10.25 Mbps.

streaming plex content in hd base speed

Next, I connected to a local Surfshark VPN server and hit the “GO” button on Ookla’s speed test once again.

My download speed averaged 9.31 Mbps

streaming plex connected to local surfshark vpn

This is a mere 9.17% drop. Despite my slow VPN internet connection, I could still enjoy streaming Plex server content without lag!

However, I wanted to ensure I’d still have the same momentum if I connected to a US server. Accessing Netflix US is one of my priorities, after all!

My result: 8.38 Mbps.

streaming plex connected to us server

I was surprised that this drop wasn’t significant, and HD streaming was easy!

Overall, I’m happy.

How Do I Access Plex With Surfshark?

Accessing Plex with Surfshark is easy. All you need to do is download the Surfshark apps or open a Surfshark account on your web browser.

Of course, the finer details of using a VPN for Plex can vary depending on your device. But I’m here to help!

See below for detailed steps on using a Plex VPN.

How Do I Use Plex With Surfshark on PC?

Use Plex with Surfshark on your PC by connecting to a Surfshark server.

Use this guide as a reference:

  1. Purchase a VPN plan from the official Surfshark site.
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  1. Create and activate your Surfshark account.
  2. Download the Surfshark app to your PC.
  3. Enable the Surfshark kill switch.
enable surfshark kill switch
  1. Connect to a secure VPN server. (I prefer the US server location since it has access to most content and streaming platforms)
  2. Go to the Plex website, create an account, or log in with your credentials.
go to plex website

Continue to stream Plex safely and privately!

How Do I Use Plex With Surfshark on My Mobile?

Want to know how to use Plex with Surfshark to stream mobile content on your iOS or Android devices? Here’s how

  1. Purchase a VPN plan from the official Surfshark site.
  2. Create and activate your Surfshark account.
  3. Navigate to your mobile’s app store.
  4. Download and install the Surfshark app on your device.
  1. Log in with your credentials.
  2. Enable the Surfshark kill switch.
  3. Connect to a preferred Surfshark VPN servers.
  4. Go back to your mobile app store. Download and install Plex.
  1. Create an account or sign in.

Access Plex from anywhere and organize your favorite major streaming services! 

As a plus, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections – so you can hook your entire family up!

How Do I Use Plex With Surfshark VPN Service on My Android TV?

One perk of using Surfshark on an Android Smart TV is that it syncs well with the device’s Smart DNS setting to bypass local firewalls and censorships.

Here’s how:

  1. Subscribe to a Surfshark plan.
  2. Create and activate your Surfshark account.
  3. Navigate to your Smart TV’s app store.
  4. Download and install the app on your device.
  5. Sign in to your Surfshark app and connect to a VPN server.
  1. Get a SmartDNS address from Surfshark.
  1. Change the Smart DNS settings on your Smart TV.
change the smart dns settings on smart tv
  1. Restart your Smart TV.
  2. Go to your Smart TV’s app store.
  3. Download and install the Plex app on your device.
  4. Create a Plex account or sign in.
Use your Plex media server to stream content from major streaming sites such as HBO Max, Netflix, and Hulu!

Help! Surfshark’s Not Working With Plex (Troubleshooting)

Surfshark works smoothly for most, but a quick search on Reddit shows that not everyone has a smooth Surfshark-Plex experience.

However, you’re not helpless here. Apply one or more of these troubleshooting tips to solve Plex over Surfshark issues:

  • Ensure your internet connection is working. A faulty or unstable internet connection will prevent your Plex server from functioning. You may even find it impossible to connect to a Surfshark server.
  • Switch servers. It’s not uncommon for a server to be under maintenance. A quick switch to a new server should solve your issue.
  • Clear browser cache. Some websites hold cache data that can give away your true location, even when connected to a remote VPN server. So, clear your browser cache to avoid this problem, or use the internet in Incognito/private browsing mode.
  • Restart your apps and try again. A quick restart may help iron out glitches. Refresh your Surfshark and Plex app or restart your device.
  • Make sure you have upgraded all your software. Check your apps for update notifications and install these updates before trying again.
  • Contact customer support. Surfshark’s Live Chat feature offers instant support and can be used for tailored solutions if the above troubleshooting methods don’t work.

If all else fails, use the VPN provider’s 30-day money back guarantee!

FAQ

Yes, Surfshark is safe to use with Plex! It’s much safer than using Plex without a VPN by providing several other benefits like private internet use, faster streaming speeds and content unblocking.

Finally, Surfshark offers intuitive VPN apps to stream Plex content safely and from anywhere on PCs, mobile devices, and Smart TV units!

Surfshark doesn’t offer port forwarding for Plex!

The VPN provider believes this feature can create an unnecessary hole in cybersecurity, allowing cybercriminals access to devices.

Fortunately, you can rely on the standard servers in the VPN apps or Smart DNS service to unblock content on Plex from anywhere.

That’s a Wrap!

Surfshark is an affordable VPN provider that unblocks multiple streaming sites effortlessly. Without a doubt (and with my tests to back me up), I can recommend it as the best VPN for Plex!

Try Surfshark now and see for yourself! Enjoy the easy-to-use apps and have peace of mind knowing your Plex connection and devices are secured.

Alternatively, read this detailed Surfshark review to explore the VPN’s potential further.

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