How to completely start over with plex?

Plex Media Server
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Is there a way to completely start over with Plex? I’ve used plex for years, but something has changed and it will no longer work properly. My primary problem is that it will only play media at 320p on my Apple TV. I’ve spent 10-15 hours on forums, trouble shooters, Facebook groups. I’ve tried to fix the problems with the relay, I’ve verified my modem is set up correctly, port forwarding, static IP. I finally decided to delete my account and completely uninstall to try again, but every time I do it remembers my server and wants me to claim it.

I’ve never had this much trouble with plex and it seems ridiculous that I can’t remove the program, the server, delete the account and start all over.

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Plex Documentation → Uninstall Plex Media Server

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I appreciate the reply, however, I followed those instructions previously as well, yet once I reinstall it wants me to claim my old server and does not prompt me to set up a new one. If I reclaim it, then it again fails to play anything without converting it to 320p.

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Uninstall the app, delete the registry keys mentioned in the article, and delete the files in appdata. (You have missed some of those steps previously)

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Remove the server from your list of Authorized Devices: https://app.plex.tv/desktop/#!/settings/devices/all

The document says, “If desired…” It really should list is as a requirement.

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Do not delete your Plex account. That will not help. All it will do is keep you from using the same e-mail to create a new account for 60 days.

This reads like a configuration error, either with Plex Media Server, Plex on the AppleTV, or in your network.

If you want to completely delete Plex Media Server from your PC, go ahead.

If the problem re-occurs after re-installation, write back and we’ll look at things.

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Ok. I admit defeat. Nothing I do will make plex work properly. As near as I can tell it thinks it’s streaming remotely when it should be accessing content on my local network. I’m not completely computer illiterate, but this is now beyond me. I’ve followed every guide I can find. Plex used to just work…

If anyone thinks they can help me I’ll provide any info necessary. I’m not even sure where to start.

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Did you recently change your ISP or got a new router?
Any other changes in your local network?

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No, I’ve had the router and ISP for a few years now.

Not sure if any of this will help, but earlier this year I needed to rebuild my PC and I decided to build a NAS with extra parts. I went with TrueNas and then tried to install Plex there. I didn’t have much luck getting it to work well so I decided to just keep using my main PC. After everything was rebuilt, I moved my office to another room and now Plex apps will not connect to the network directly. I gave up on it for a few months and have been using VLC, but now I decided to try again, with no luck.

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Did your Plex machine get a new local IP from your router? You might wanna reserve a static one, using the configuration menu of your router.

Do also check if your Windows has labeled the network connection as “public” or “private”. For Plex to work you want it “private”.

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The network was “public”, I changed it to “private”, but the issue remains.

I have DHCP reservations set up on the router. I followed the instructions for “Troubleshooting Remote Access”. The router was already configured that way, I didn’t need to change anything.

I’m now seeing that DHCP and Static IP are not necessarily the same thing. I don’t see any settings for Static IP on my router, but there are guides to set it up in windows. Is DHCP fine or should I set up the IP on my PC?

Thanks for all the help so far!

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DHCP reservation is fine. If you already have it set up that way, there is no need to change it. The point is to prevent your server machine from switching IP addresses.

Did you stop and restart Plex server after you’ve switched to “private”? If not, do it now.

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I did stop/restart the server. I’ve rebooted my PC and modem as well. I’ve deleted and reinstalled Plex apps on my Apple TV and other devices. The issue remains.

I found a thread somewhere else that suggested they turn off the relay option in plex, when I do that nothing in my home can access the plex server.

Another thing I thought of is that I upgraded to bonded DSL around the time this started, but never even thought to see if that could cause an issue. I don’t see how it could, but I feel like I’ve exhausted everything I can think of.

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I don’t see a Plex server connected with your user account.
Try You need to reclaim your server, but don't dare to touch the Windows Registry

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In the chaos of deleting accounts, uninstalling, reinstalling, reclaiming accounts, I ended up with more than one account. I didn’t delete je6728 because I was posting here. The user I’m logged into now, HDBplex, is my primary account. I believe I have already reclaimed my server. In fact that was one of the things I could never figure out, even after deleting accounts and reinstalls it kept finding my old server and forcing me to reclaim it rather than make a new one.

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Yes, I can see the server in this account.
Now, can you play any content from this server on any of your Plex clients? (even if it’s just in low quality?)

While playback is running, keep the web app open and look at the Dashboard (with “Detailed” info enabled).
What does it say in regard to network location and playback mode?

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Yes, I can play content, but it is converted to 320p.

I don’t see “network location” or “playback mode” in the details. I’ll try including a pic of what I see.
Plex info

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That’s “indirect” in this case.

That’s “transcoded” here.

Settings - Server - Network
what is “Secure Connections” set to? (you want it at “Preferred”, not at “Required” if you cannot change the DNS rebinding preferences of your router)

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It is set to preferred.

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How does it look like if you use a second browser tab of your web browser?