CRC Connection Status - Port Forwarding Issue (ref#ONNC91)

Network Setup

· Do you have a mesh network? (Google Mesh, Eeros, Ubiquiti, etc.)

ARC Status

· ARC is *Not Ready*

Roon Error Code

· The ARC settings page says "Not Ready," but I can still connect to ARC via cellular data. I'm having another problem.

Describe the issue

CRC Connection Status - Port Forwarding Issue - Connection (Cloud status is Green, Roon Server status is Red) - All working fine until the last two days - No apparent changes or updates

Describe your network setup

ISP - Spectrum their Modem - Mess Network Router is TP Link Delco X4300 Pro - Roon running on MacOS 15.6.1, ARC running on iPhone iOS 18.6.2

No upgrades between Roon ARC running fine and the current problem

Hi @Carl_Cullison,

Thanks for writing in and for sharing your report! Can you confirm your Mac running Roon Server isn’t falling into sleep/standby mode when this issue occurs?

If you could, as a first step, please stop Roon Server and reboot your server machine, router, and mobile device you’re running Arc on.

Then, attempt to reconnect, and let me know if you run into the same issue. We’ll be on standby for your reply and results! :folded_hands:

Hi Benjamin (or Roon Staff),

  • The roon server is not falling into sleep/standby mode. Note - I changed the setting months ago so this did not happen

  • I have rebooted the server, router, and iPhone running Arc since you sent out the below e-mail.

I first tested Roon and then Arc on my network (iPhone connected to my wifi) and it is fine but of course that is not the way you use Arc.

Then I turned wifi off on my iPhone, I get good cellular from my house (4 of 4 bars).

I am getting a different message “poor connection”

I tried this after shutting down and opening Arc back up several times with the same result.

My MacOS and iOS is current except I am holding off the new iOS that just came out a couple days ago.

A year ago or so ago I resolved an issue after changing my Roon server by following Arc Port Forwarding and it has been fine ever since. All the network trouble shooting is all beyond my knowledge and I am only saying this as I need blow by blow help if you want me to get into that.

I had to restore my iPhone completely from my cloud backup a month ago but after this I had been using Arc without issue.

Thank you for helping and waiting your suggested next step(s)…. Carl

Hello @Carl_Cullison

As the next step, could you please delete the ARC app from your iPhone, reinstall it from the App Store, and log in again while connected to your home Wi-Fi? This will make sure the app has a clean setup and correct connection to your Roon Server.

Let us know how it goes once you try this.

After deleting the ARC app from my iPhone and reinstalling. First attempt I am getting “poor connection”, second attempt "Can’t connect to your Roon server check your Roon server and try again.

Note - I simulated being remote by turning my wifi off on my iPhone. I get good cell service all four bars

Thanks for the quick response – I did not realize I needed to reply online vs e-mail so we had some delay with my first response.

Let me know what is next… thanks again…

Hello @Carl_Cullison

Could you let us know which mobile operator you’re using and if the issue occurs only while you’re at home?

The main thing we need to clarify is whether this problem happens only at home or if it occurs wherever you use your mobile connection. Understanding this will help us determine if the issue is specific to your location or more general.

Just to clarify, connection quality to your Roon Server over a mobile network depends on several factors:

  1. Network coverage and signal strength – Even if your phone shows full bars, factors like network congestion, tower distance, and interference can affect actual throughput.
  2. Carrier restrictions – Some mobile operators use firewalls, NAT, or other network filtering that can block or slow down certain connections.
  3. Latency and packet loss – Mobile networks inherently have higher latency than wired or Wi-Fi connections, which can cause timeouts or connection errors with remote servers.
  4. Data plan or throttling – Some carriers throttle connections for certain traffic types once a threshold is reached, which may impact server access.
  5. Type of mobile connection – Switching between 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G can cause interruptions or slowdowns, even if signal bars appear full.

Sure I understand - The problem is constant and outside of my home as well. I can not get Roon Arc to work currently unless my phone is on the network. Prior to say 4-5 days ago it was working all the time (yes remotely). I am sorry but I can not think of a change that has been done to my equipment (software or hardware). My iPhone only has 4G capability via. Verizon

PS - Just a reminder – I had to restore my iPhone completely from my cloud backup a month ago but after this I had been using Arc without issue for at least a couple weeks..

Hey @Carl_Cullison,

Thanks for that detail!

I’m curious - do you often use both your Macs to swap Roon Server?

Does this issue happen on either machine if you test out using a different Roon Server?

And just to confirm, you don’t have any issues using the Roon mobile app, correct?

I’d also be curious to see if you experience the same issue on a completely fresh Roon Server database if the above doesn’t change any behavior.

Let me know if you’d be able to follow the steps below to temporarily test out using a new Roon Server database:

  • Create a Backup of your current database
  • Exit out of Roon + RoonServer (from taskbar area)
  • Navigate to your Roon Database Location
  • Find the folder that says “Roon Server” and “Roon”
  • Rename the “RoonServer” folder to “RoonServer_old” and “Roon” to “Roon_old”
  • Reinstall the Roon App from our Downloads Page to generate a new Roon folder
  • Verify if the issue persists on a fresh database before restoring the backup

Here is the process outlined from a macOS machine:
roonoldmac

We’ll be on standby for your reply, thank you!

  1. No - I do not use both Macs. Explanation - My old Mac can not upgrade to the MacOS some time ago and one of my key software had to have the upgraded MacOS. I thought that I would simply use it for Roon and I did for a bit but after I ran into issues, I simply moved Roon over to my new Mac. That was at least a year ago. I do not want to use my old Mac.
  2. I do not want to try Roon on my old Mac.
  3. Your question "do I have issues with the Roon mobile app? I am not sure I understand. I consider Roon ARC the Roon mobile app and yes that is my problem. I may have confused things as I said it ran fine as long as my phone was connected to my wifi. Of course that is not the way you use ARC. I thought I was simply checking if the Arc app was working. To clarify, the Roon app runs fine on my iPhone and I actually use that around the house so I can make selections and direct the audio out.
  4. Wow, completely fresh Roon server.. Replace my current Roon server on my new Mac.. … sounds out of my expertise… I really would rather not go this route.
    Any other suggestions? I have been using Qobuz from the car vs Roon ARC which is a work around but I miss Roon ARC with all my Roon play lists.
    Thanks again

Good day @Carl_Cullison !

Thanks for the explanation!

In case you would not like to go setting up a new database at a first place we’d recommend you to try to use Tailscale VPN , usually it allows to bypass technical limitations of your network by virtualizing the traffic.

Here you can find instructions on how to set it up:

.

Let us know please how does this work for you.

Regards.

Looks technical (for me) - I will either try the Tailscale or more likely - I will document my network attributes from my router and on Roon Arc (those I think are related to Port Forwarding)…

Sorry I am concerned due my lack of knowledge. Is Tailscale a VPN but only for Roon Arc and iOS? Does it impact other apps on my iPhone or MacOS if I do not set it up correctly? I will send network attributes but it may take a while as I am going to be busy …

Good day @Carl_Cullison !

According to the instructions you would need to install VPN on Both Roon Server (in your case it is your mac) and on your iPhone.

This will create a virtual network that will allow your iPhone to connect to your macbook as if they are in the same subnet.

This might influence the internet speed as Virtualization of traffic may increase latency, but not significantly.

When you are done using Roon ARC you might just turn the VPN off until you need it again.

Generally, there should not be any impact to your other apps.

Let us know please your further questions!

Regards.

Hi @Carl_Cullison,

Tailscale, like port forwarding, bridges the Network Address Translation layer put in place by your router. However, when your service provider has put a second network address translation layer above the level of your router, only Tailscale can bridge that second layer (not port forwarding).

Tailscale creates a proxy mesh network that includes your phone and your MacBook. When your devices use the Tailscale interface, they will perceive themselves to be connected to the same local network.

As @alex_h mentioned above, this can affect network speed, since traffic is now taking a different pathway to the internet. However, it won’t have any broad effect on your Mac’s background processes that rely on your local network. You can certainly expand the Tailcale utility beyond Roon to other network-based applications if you want (this wouldn’t be possible with Roon-sanctioned port forwarding, since it would only allow for Roon traffic to pass).

Thanks Alex and Conner, All over my head but I will check Tailscale out and document what I think my relevant network settings are (router and Roon ARC).

Good day @Carl_Cullison !

Sure, please try that and let us know if you face any problems with setting it up!

Regards.

Hi @Carl_Cullison,

Here is a guide specific to the OS of your RoonServer machine:

Please let us know if we can assist further. Without a response from the OP, threads automatically close after several days.

Outstanding! I just need to find some dedicated time for this. Thanks again

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Happy to help @Carl_Cullison, keep us in the loop on how things go and if you have any questions along the way! :folded_hands:

Tailscale seems to be working after the install & set up. Can we keep this log open for a few days? Under Roon ARC I still get a message that Roon ARC was unable to securely access your Roon Server but it’s working! I did not understand what I was doing which is why I hesitated but seems to work. Now if it does not break anything else and I want to try turning it off basically test and play some more. Thanks so much. Carl

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