Cannot log in to Plex Media Server after fresh Windows install

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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1

Server Version#: 1.29.1.6316-f4cdfea9c
Player Version#: 1.56.1.3327-90bc844c

After a computer repair place installed Windows on a new M.2 SSD and got my PC booting from that, Plex Media Server has totally stopped working. The Plex app either won’t recognise it while it’s running (showing the ‘Get Plex Media Server’ screen) or will show the name of my server in the pinned list with a loading symbol and nothing else. Hitting ‘Open Plex…’ from the Plex Media Server tray icon menu gives me a yellow loading symbol on a grey background… indefinitely. On some browsers it gets me to the login screen and THEN the indefinite loading screen after I enter my details, but never further.
I’ve tried uninstalling and reinstalling both Plex itself and Media Server, tried a handful of different browsers (which all worked in the past) and scoured the web for other solutions. I’m at a loss.

2

Open this link in an incognito browser and see if you can log in and claim your server

http://127.0.0.1:32400/web

Or try http://[server.local.ip.address]:32400/web

3

First one gives me indefinite loading after login, which I’ve had a few times during troubleshooting. Second one asked me if I’d like to give permission to something not authorised by Plex etc. etc. then indefinite loading after I confirmed. No dice. Appreciate the help all the same.

4

See support notes below. Either will place your server in an unclaimed state. You can then re-claim it. The “Why am I locked out” document uses regedit. The other accomplishes the same thing, but avoids regedit.

https://support.plex.tv/articles/204281528-why-am-i-locked-out-of-server-settings-and-how-do-i-get-in/

1 Like
5

Progress! Thank you kindly! But we’re not there yet. Method 1 did nothing but method 2 got me able to log into the Plex web app. However, I still have the issue of an indefinite loading screen when I select my server. Can’t set up my libraries or see files or anything. Any further suggestions?

6

Settings - ‘Show Advanced’ - Plex Web - Debug - “Restore Defaults”

7

Appreciate the effort but no luck with this one.

8

Did the repair shop made an attempt to transfer your files and settings from the old system drive to the new SSD?
Does the new system drive have the letter C: assigned to it?
Do you remember previously moving the Plex data folder away from its default location on drive C: ?

9

What was the output when using it?

10

I don’t recall exactly but it seemed positive, like it had all worked normally - it just didn’t change my situation with using Plex. Should I run it again?

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Here’s what I remember: Plex was on drive 1, previously the C: drive. Computer shop said drive 1 was dead and needed replacing, so newly-purchased drive 2 is now the C: drive and drive 1 (which is, in fact, alive) is D: drive now.
I can’t recall after that whether I tried launching the copy of Plex in drive 1 (D:) or installing Plex anew in drive 2 (C:) or installing over the top on drive 1 or anything, it’s all a mess in my head at that point.

12

@DwellRat Let’s see if you have a Plex Data Folder on either drive, and, if so, the contents. If some version of a Plex database exists on either drive, it might be possible to salvage the Plex installation on your system.

Current C:\ drive

Does C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server exist?
It should, since you mentioned you re-installed Plex Media Server on the system.

If so, navigate to the \Plug-In Support\Databases subfolder.

Please provide a directory listing, screenshot, etc, showing all files in the Databases folder, including full name, size, and date modified.


Current D:\ drive

Does D:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server exist?

You might have to search other locations on the drive, as the computer shop may have moved the folder when working on your PC. If it is not in the default location, have Windows search the drive for com.plexapp.plugins.library.db (one of the Plex database files).

If so, navigate to the \Plug-In Support\Databases subfolder.

Please provide a directory listing, screenshot, etc, showing all files in the Databases folder, including full name, size, and date modified.


Example
Screenshot (1521)

1 Like
14

Here are the screenshots:

PlexCFolder
PlexCFolder829×252 18.7 KB

PlexDFolder
PlexDFolder825×371 29 KB

15

Thanks for the screenshots.

Your old Plex data folder exists, which is good. You can move it to the C:\ drive in place of the one that is there now.

Please do the following:

  1. Stop Plex Media Server.
  2. Edit the Windows registry, removing the entries mentioned in Why am I locked out of Server Settings and how do I get in? (this will place your server in an unclaimed state)
  3. Look in Authorized Devices. If your server is listed, delete it.

    Now restore the old Plex Data Folder

  4. Move C:.…\Plex Media Server to another location, outside of AppData (keeping it as a backup)
  5. Copy the Plex Media Server folder from D:.…\AppData to the C:.…\AppData.
    (don’t erase it off the D drive, keep it as a backup)
  6. Delete any -shm or -wal files (your screenshot shows two each).
  7. Start Plex Media Server.

On the PC running Plex Media Server, point a web browser at http://127.0.0.1:32400/web.
If you are on a different system, you can point a browser at the IP address of the server: http://pms_ip_address:32400/web.

You should be able to login, go to settings (wrench icon), and claim your server.

1 Like
16

My hero and saviour. It all worked. Hope you get a raise. And then another raise. Maybe some more raises. Thank you very much.

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