Server Version#: Newest 1.18.3.2129-41af4e729
Player Version#: Newest 1.4.1.940-574c2fa7
I’ve been using Plex since the beginning (10+ years) and had a good amount of media to start and have added to my collection significantly over the past decade. While I don’t code, I consider myself pretty good with computers and have a good understanding how they work and can generally solve problems based on instruction and help from forums, etc… While not a Plex expert I’ve spent a great deal of time setting my server up, preparing media, and trying to modify the settings to create a well functioning optimal Plex Server. Over the past several years I really haven’t had to do much except add media. With that said, I’ve updated/changed computers, moved my server, changed passwords, etc… over the years without issue until today. Since the Plex hacking breach in 2016 I try to change my password from time to time and use a password generator to create strong / long passwords, etc…
Well early this morning (Sat 12/7/19), I changed my password and everything broke!!! I’m so tired and frustrated, and not sure where things broke down. Background - I run my plex server using a Mac Mini (2018), 3.2 Ghz 6-Core / Intel Core i7, 32 GB of RAM, and Mac OS 10.15.1. I generally use FireFox (now version 71) as my browser for access plex server, etc… Occasionally I’ll use Safari (updated to latest version). All of my actually media files are on a Drobo 5 Turbo server and the Drobo is connected to the Mac Mini running the plex media server via USB C (Thuderbolt 3).
First, there is nothing wrong with the Drobo. Connected, mounted and can be accessed appropriately. Can play all media files on Drobo (using iTunes/Music, VLC, or other non plex software, etc…) without issue. This is not a Drobo problem, a Mac hardware problem, a cable problem, etc… Everything is connected and can be accessed and works properly, etc…
This is clearly a software issue and specifically a Plex Software issue.
Second, everything was working great with the plex server software. No issues in quite some time. Then this morning, on the Mac Mini / Plex Server, I went into my account (via the web app using FireFox) and changed my password. At the end of the process I checked off “Sign out connected devices after password change.” and clicked save changes. I received confirmation that my password was successfully changed.
I then closed/quite Firefox and the Plex Server App (already had the Plex Player closed). I then restarted the Plex Server - seemed to start without a problem. Then I re-opened Firefox and chose “Preferences” from the Plex Server pull down menu (from clicking on the icon at the top right). I logged into my account using my new password. From a login perspective, there didn’t seem to be an issue. I could log into my Plex account without issue using the new password, and the web site / app would launch my server, etc… However, all of the sudden the web based plex server couldn’t find or connect to my media files/sever. Just kept spinning and not connecting. Big red button saying couldn’t find or connect to server, etc… Kept trying every minute or so to connect but could never find it. Seems that for some reason the plex server software / web app couldn’t see any of my files and the server wasn’t even listed - this seemed so strange and I can’t recall ever having this issue. Again, all started after changing the password and logging back in.
Solves I already tried …
(A) Tried closing FireFox and Plex Media Server software and then re-launching. Made no difference. Problem persisted.
(B) Tried Using Safari - same problem.
© Tried closing and relaunching software several times, yet the problem persisted.
(D) Tried re-downloading and reinstalling the plex server app and the plex player app. Made no difference.
(E) Rebooted the Mac mini. Problem persisted.
(F) Rebooted the Drobo. Problem persisted.
(G) Rebooted the Drobo and Mac Mini together / simultaneously and the problem persisted.
Note: My new password worked as far as logging into my account but for reasons that aren’t clear the new password wouldn’t allow my Plex Servers to load after log in.
Third, at some point there was a button that read “claim server,” and I clicked it but this did not fix anything and even generated a new error. It just seems like a giant cluster at this point.
Fourth, since nothing seemed to be resolving the issue. I decided to remove all authorized devices. This made a bad situation worse. After doing this my Plex server no longer exits. Apparently removing the Plex Server as an authorized device removed all my metadata from the computer. The Plex Server web app is no longer trying to unsuccessfully connect to my files, but instead doesn’t even try because it doesn’t seem recognize the existence of my Plex Server - it has vanished.
So remaining questions and issues I need help with …
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Why did simply changing my password cause the plex server software to break?
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Did removing my server as an authorized device (thought this would just de-authorize it, not remove from existence) erase it? If so then how do I add it back? Did I lose all of my metadata and server settings, etc…?
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How do I get my system working properly again, as it has for years?
Thanks in advance for any assistance. I’m desperate for fix this and hopefully it will be easy and restore everything to how it used to be in a simple and easy manner. I really hope I didn’t lose my metadata / library information. Hours and hours of modifying and customizing.
