Windows 11 pro update in late 2023 interferes with media server <-> TV connection

Question

The app is Serviio. The TV with the problem is Sony, new model but six year old model had same problem with the update. Media Streaming (win11p) has been turned on and off, enabled to Serviio, enable to TV, both, or neither. Media has not been made available to the built-in media streaming function in Windows 11 (meaning the directories / drives are not mapped).

Will be playing a movie or TV show from a file on the hard drive of this Windows 11 pro computer, and the TV will say "cannot play video". From once a minute, to once a day. It is not file format, because it plays up to the connection failure. I've disabled power off on the network adapter.

Upped RAM to 64Gb (no positive change). All drives are new, no impending failures (SMART). Drives are set not to go to sleep for two hours. Computer is set to reboot at 3am every morning, and this is working.

Serviio logs just show the TV has disconnected at such and such percentage in. Live streaming apps on the TV have no discernable problems. This worked flawlessly on Windows 10, and Windows 11 up until the mystery update.

Processor 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-12400 2.50 GHz
Installed RAM 64.0 GB (63.8 GB usable)
Product ID 00330-73745-00003-AAOEM
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

***moved from Windows / Windows 11 / Windows update***

Answer 1

Hello Smith,

Hope you have a lovely day!

It sounds like you're experiencing connectivity issues between your Windows 11 Pro system and your Sony TV when trying to stream media via Serviio. Since this issue started occurring after an update and was not a problem previously, it's possible that the update altered settings or introduced compatibility issues. Here are some steps to troubleshoot and potentially resolve this issue:

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Step 1: Roll Back Recent Updates

• Check for the most recent Windows update: Sometimes, updates can introduce compatibility issues with existing hardware or software.
• Roll back the update: If possible, try to roll back the last Windows update to see if this resolves the issue. This can be done in the Windows Update settings under "View update history" > "Uninstall updates."


Step 2: Check Network Settings

• Ensure network consistency: Verify that both your PC and TV are on the same network and that no network isolation features are enabled on your router.
• Static IP Configuration: Assign static IP addresses to both the PC and the TV to ensure consistent connectivity.

Step 3: Update Serviio and TV Firmware

• Update Serviio: Ensure that you have the latest version of Serviio installed.
• Update TV firmware: Check for firmware updates for your Sony TV. Manufacturers often release updates to fix bugs or improve functionality.

Step 4: Adjust Media Streaming Settings

• Reconfigure media streaming options: Since you mentioned that media directories are not mapped, ensure that the folders you are streaming from are properly shared with appropriate permissions within Serviio.
• Windows Media Streaming: Although you're not using Windows' built-in streaming function, ensure that no related settings are inadvertently blocking Serviio.

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Step 5: Network Hardware Check

• Network adapter settings: In Device Manager, ensure that the network adapter is not set to be turned off to save power. Go to the "Power Management" tab in the adapter's properties and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."
• Check connection stability: Use tools like Ping or Trace Route to check for packet loss or high latency to the TV's IP address.

Step 6: Examine Serviio Logs and TV Connection

• Detailed log analysis: Look deeper into Serviio logs around the time disconnections occur to identify if specific actions or media types trigger the disconnect.
• TV connection check: Verify that the TV's network connection is stable. Sometimes, other devices on the network can interfere or saturate the connection.

Step 7: Alternative Streaming Methods

• Test with alternative software**: Temporarily use another media server software like Plex to see if the issue is specific to Serviio or related to the system/network setup.

These steps should help you identify and potentially resolve the issue with your media streaming setup. If the problem continues, it may require a more in-depth analysis of network settings or consultation with a professional.

Best regards

Rosy

Answer 2

Step 1: Cannot roll back far enough to help (six months ore more at this point). Then I am vulnerable to the issues all the updates are supposed to fix.

Step 2: Done as much as I can do (Win11p computer is and was fixed IP outside the DHCP-assigned domain, and TV is too). But even with a DHCP-assigned IP address for the TV, it worked perfectly fine, without hiccup, until Windows updated. When the TV balks at a connection loss, it seems to try to claim a new IP address. Handling that problem with Sony / Google TV. My six year old TV (also Sony / Google TV) was replaced because I thought maybe this was failing.

Step 3: Updated Win11p motherboard drivers, firmware, network card drivers, Win11p, Serviio, and TV firmware. Didn't help. Until the update dropped, was running fine without motherboard and firmware updates, even had "/!" on device listings... mobo resources were not recognized.

Step 4: Serviio firewall permissions are set, IP address is set / locked within Serviio. I don't know how to "ensure that the folders you are streaming from are properly shared with appropriate permissions" ... this isn't Linux, applications are not given separate access rights, are they? I simply meant I had not had these same drives / directories mapped in Windows Media Streaming. Was not even turned on, until "shotgunning" for something that might stop this hiccup. Can you say more about what "Media Streaming' setting I'd need to look for?

Step 5. Adapter auto-power-off settings are disabled, as are the drives being put to sleep in less than 3 hours. Ping: no losses, 0ms. About 30 packets sent. I'd forgotten to check this. Thanks.

Step 6: Log just showed the TV disconnected. With all the shotgunning, now I tries to initiate a different ISP address as well, but when it restarts, it restarts at the fixed IP address. Serviio Status does not show unusual devices, and honestly, this one TV is the only thing using it when these problems occur. Connection is wired, Cat 6 cabling. Tried enabling WiFi on the TV as a backup channel, no joy.

Step 7. Plex is too complex, has too many things I cannot comprehend that appear to leave me vulnerable. Serviio updates predate this problem, Windows updates don't. I'll install Linux on this box before I have to try to configure Plex. Lets hope the answer is in Step 4.

Answer 3

Hello Smith,

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot of troubleshooting steps with your network and media server setup, which I can imagine must be quite frustrating. Let's delve a bit deeper into Step 4 and explore some general advice regarding Windows media sharing settings that might help resolve the issue with Serviio and your Sony Google TV connectivity.

In Windows, while it's true that applications do not have separate access rights in the way Linux handles user permissions, the files and folders still have specific sharing and security settings that can affect how networked devices interact with them. Here's how you can ensure that your media folders are properly shared with appropriate permissions:

1. Sharing the Media Folder:
   • Right-click on the folder where your media files are stored.
   • Select Properties.
   • Go to the Sharing tab and click on Advanced Sharing.
   • Check Share this folder. You can then name the share if you wish.
   • Click on Permissions. For general use, ensure that Everyone is selected and has at least Read permission. Modify permissions as necessary depending on your security needs.
2. Network Discovery and File Sharing Settings:
   • Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings.
   • Ensure Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing are selected.
3. Security Tab Adjustments:
   • In the Properties window for the shared folder, switch to the Security tab.
   • Click Edit to modify the permissions and ensure that the users or groups who need access to the folder (like NETWORK, Authenticated Users) have the appropriate permissions (at least Read & Execute).
4. Firewall Settings:
   • Since you've already set Serviio’s firewall permissions, ensure that the firewall is not blocking file and printer sharing. You can check this in the Control Panel > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Make sure File and Printer Sharing is allowed.
5. Check Serviio Settings:
   • Make sure that Serviio is set up to use the correct network profile. Sometimes, Windows updates can change active network profiles from Private to Public, which has more restrictive settings.
   • Double-check the IP address settings in Serviio to ensure they are correct and consistent with your network setup.

Since you have already been through a lot of troubleshooting, revisiting these settings may seem redundant, but sometimes updates or changes in one area can affect another seemingly unrelated setting. It’s also a good idea to ensure that all devices are on the same subnet, as this can sometimes lead to issues with discovery and connectivity.

Answer 4

#1. [Shared] Done, and checked. Done at drive level, three drives with media, all contents shared. Drive with Windows is separate, unshared. Remember, the media access is fine, then suddenly terminates or hiccups for a brief period (couple of seconds maybe).

#2. [Network discovery] Done, and checked. Access pathway is not quite correct for Windows 11 by the way. Control Panel Home -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change advanced sharing settings... at least on win11pro.

#3. [Security] Four entries: Authenticated Users, SYSTEM (presumably Serviio), Administrators, Users. All have at least "Read & Execute", "List folder contents", and "Read". SYSTEM has full permissions, except "Special".

#4. [Firewall] 'File and Printer Sharing' is checked (both private and public), 'File and Printer Sharing over SMBDirect' is not.

#5. [Profile] Not sure I know how to do that. I've reinstalled Serviio at least once since this problem arose. It is not a program that is on the Start Menu, so it isn't like I have a ".PIF" I can edit. Can you speak more to #5?

On the Services tab, Serviio shows as "Running", "Automatic" startup, and "Local service". Only Dependency listed is "HTTP Service". But now I have probably wandered off into the woods... It does use its own version of Java, and I have another version for a playlist manager, but this second tool post-dates this problem by four months or so.

Thank you for your time.

Answer 5

Hello,

Thank you for your patience and detailed information.

Please follow these steps to check Serviio settings:

1. Ensure Serviio is using the correct network profile:
   • Sometimes, Windows updates can change the active network profile from Private to Public, which has more restrictive settings. Make sure Serviio is using the Private network profile.
   • You can check and change the network profile by going to Control Panel -> Network and Internet -> Network and Sharing Center -> Change adapter settings. Right-click on your network connection and select "Properties" to ensure it is set to Private.
2. Double-check the IP address settings in Serviio:
   • Ensure the IP address settings in Serviio are correct and consistent with your network setup. Incorrect IP address settings can cause connection issues.
   • Open the Serviio console, go to the "Network Settings" or similar options, and verify that the IP address and subnet mask match your network configuration.

These steps should help resolve the issue. If the problem persists, please let us know.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding.

Best regards,

Rosy