I’ve enjoyed a Plex Server almost a year now, however since about 4 days ago, I started noticing Metadata for new entries failing. Then after a random system reboot, I got the “server unclaimed” error, and attempting to claim it just spins and times out.
I’ve read a lot about this, tried solutions I could find to no avail. I’ve Uninstalled, cleaned registry of all “Plex, Inc” instances, reinstalled… nothing. Finally I went as far as to destroy months of work spent editing posters and my own metadata updates etc by deleting my “Plex Media Server”… and STILL this software setup manages to FIND A SERVER THAT ISNT THERE, and its UNCLAIMABLE!!!
I’m really at my wits end. I even tried deleting my old account and creating a new one from a different email address… still a server that can’t be claimed. I’ve tried on Chrome, Chrome incognito AND Microsoft Edge browsers. I have a backup I made a few weeks ago of my Windows, but I REALLY don’t want to risk going to that extreme - my 100GB plex database folder is gone anyway.
There HAS to be a simpler solution to this. Can someone please help?? Thank you
Restart the server, try to claim then grab the Plex Media Server.log
Another user had a similar sounding issue recently but he did not post what he did to fix. For some reason the server could not contact plex.tv. Have you made any changes recently to DNS, firewall, ISP or network equipment?
Thanks for quick response BigWheel. I’ve seen your attempts at resolution to these similar-looking posts. The answer to all your questions is “NO”. Only thing I HAVEN’T tried has something to do with"preferences.xml" and “opening a shell to delete” that?? Can you tell me exactly where this would be and specify “opening a shell”?
The “shell” is a linux thing. It is basically like the command line interface on windows. Linux folks often run commands through the shell to do things on computer where. a mac or windows person would just use the mouse and delete from file browser, etc. Preferences.xml is a linux thing it is the same stuff that is in the registry on windows, which you said you already deleted.
ipconfig-all.txt (2.8 KB)
Normally I have a 2-router configuration, which I got to work fine (except for the server being available outside my local network, but that’s not the major migraine right now)
At the moment, I’ve BYPASSED the bedroom router, coupling 2 ethernet cables providing a direct wired connection to the home’s main router (it’s supplied by the ISP First Communications and they do not permit the router to be user-configurable.)
Why? The wifi signal from just that base router isn’t strong enough to have a lasting connection over the whole house, this second router is needed (like I said its been fine).
I tried disabling Avast - still nothing. One thing I didn’t check when I attempted complete uninstalls of Plex is the program folder itself (program files (x86)/Plex…) I’ll try this all over again.
I’m wondering if my Plex account itself is attempting to generate this old, unreachable Plex server and all my efforts are in vain? In that case, doing a clean windows install or using another PC to set it up would be pointless, and I’d be at that point hopelessly done with Plex. I’ve canceled my old Gmail Plex account, (and hopefully forever the Plex Pass that was attached to it) but somehow my new hotmail account found a plex server (that was un-claimable).
It has nothing to do with trying to reach a server. The server is timing out trying to reach plex.tv. That is what the 408 means in the lines from your log he posted.
Usually like dane22 mentioned it is a DNS or DNS rebinding issue. Another user just recently had a similar issue and he only said he figured out it was a DNS issue but did not give specifics. I asked him what it was but he has not replied yet.
OK here’s what I just tried, just after my fourth attempt at the cleanest possible install (without reinstalling windows). Between the time I snapped the first and second photo, a message appeared “Sorry this server can’t be claimed”. (or to that effect..)
This is my 64,000 dollar question: WHAT server??? There IS no Plex server on my machine!!! I’ve AGAIN uninstalled using a brute-force (Your Uninstaller), AND using regedit I cleared all traces of “Plex, Inc.”, AND made sure both “C:/Program Files (x86)/Plex” and “C:\Users\Paul\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server” were DELETED.
So where is this “server”? If I can get around this, and am able to create a NEW server, I’ll bet it will in fact be reachable, and claimable. I’m directly connected to my base router still, and NO OTHER software on my machine has ‘network issues’.
Are there references that “Your Uninstaller” and myself aren’t seeing in the registry OUTSIDE of the “Plex, Inc.” entries?? Or again, is this something to do with “tokens” and or my Plex account??
If there is no server installed on the machine why are you trying to claim it. What else were you expecting to do?
You restarted the server and provided a log from that server after I asked you for it. The server in your first screenshot was called Plex Server.
The screen you just posted is the first run set up screen for a server called PaulPC. You could not get to that screen unless a server was installed and running. based on your log it appears to be installed on a computer with Local IP 192.168.0.107
a token is like a access card. After you successfully log in your unique token associated with that server is then associated with your account. That is how one accesses a server or player without having to sign in/claim it every time you want to use it.
Plex Media Server.log (78.4 KB)
Sorry but again - where could this server possibly be? I’ve looked everywhere on my PC. Would a previously installed version of Plex maybe put hidden trace files in my library folders themselves?
Beyond that… “Great, we found a server!”, - because there is no server to my absolute knowledge prior to re-installing PMS - that SHOULD read: “Great, we CREATED a server!” Is that what in fact happens during first time install/setup?
I’ll again try reverting DNS settings. I don’t understand much about ipv6 so I left those untouched in my network settings. I’ll try to do that once again once I revert back to Google’s DNS numbers and again send you the log. And “192.168.0.107” - should i put that somewhere in my network/dns settings?
