Roku client cannot find Jellyfin server

[Ravi Ramnarayan]

Roku & Jellyfin newbie. Am able to connect & play music from my Samsung S23 (android 14) jellyfin client app and from web browser on my Ubuntu computer. But hit the dead end with the "roku - jellyfin" client app. Strictly private LAN 192.168 network.

The Roku - jellyfin client cannot see the jellyfin server. Tried both roku clients -- Jellyfin & Jelllyfin Legacy. My jellyfin server runs in a container on Synology NAS Container Manager (i.e. docker clone). I updated the container image a couple of days ago to "latest". 

• Roku Express 4K+ -- OS 14.1.47709
  
• Jellyfin Server -- container on Synology NAS -- "latest" image, assume it is 10.10.7 (current github source)
  
• Jellyfin clients on Roku -- 3.0.1 & Legacy 2.3.1 -- tried both
  

I searched the forum but could not find a similar post. Hope it is an easy fix or just dumb user (that's me) error.

[TheDreadPirate]

Are you relying on service discovery? Or are you manually typing in the IP? If you type in https://192.168.#.#:8096 does the Roku connect? Obviously replace # with the server's LAN IP.

[Ravi Ramnarayan]

http://192.168.11.22:8096
Tried (typed) both http and https (just in case...)

Yes. 4 part ip address. Hope that is correct. But roku jellyfin client comes up empty handed. The NAS is in a surfshark VPN as are my computer and phone. I get the same "not found" with the roku in or out of the VPN. As all devices are on the private LAN, not sure in/out of the VPN matters. Had to try it anyway.

[TheDreadPirate]

Does your VPN client support split tunneling? I'm wondering if Jellyfin is being forced onto the VPN interface.

[Ravi Ramnarayan]

Interesting. Thanks for the prompt replies.

My Surfshark VPN does not use split tunneling. Surfshark calls is "Bypasser". I have never looked into this feature -- seems risky. Are you suggesting I create a split tunnel between the Roku and the NAS? I can assign a fixed IP to Roku. NAS already has a fixed IP. Will kick things around.

[TheDreadPirate]

If all traffic from all clients and the server go through the VPN, how would they talk with each other?

I'm having trouble building a picture of your network/VPN setup in my head. But typically if you are using a VPN you would split it so that local traffic does NOT go through the VPN, but all other non-local traffic would go through the VPN. Otherwise, how would they talk to each other.

Can you list out what clients you have and which are running surfshark? Including the server.

[Ravi Ramnarayan]

Thanks for the note. I have been away from jellyfin for a couple of days. Will draw a sketch of my local network relative to the VPN. First, I need to clarify my understanding. Next, troubleshoot with your help.