Is there anyway to reset a server to its default settings, but retain posters, art, play status etc?

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I love to tinker with things…and that includes Plex. It’s a great way to learn how stuff works!

Generally I’m able to fix any problems I cause, but it’s nice to know that I can go back to ‘factory default’ settings if need be.

I was wondering if there was any way to completely reset a Plex server to its default settings, but to retain media metadata (to save redownloading it all).

Ideally, it’d be good to be able to save media watched statuses, playlists, and managed users as well - but these are less important.

Thanks for any help!

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If you want to save your library and managed users, you can only delete some of your configuration.

Do the following only if Plex Server has been completely shut down.
On Windows this means to stop the Plex Updater Service as well!

server configuration:
depending on the system where you installed Plex Server, this is located in different places.
https://support.plex.tv/hc/en-us/articles/201105343-Advanced-Hidden-Server-Settings
you can delete all from it except those keys:

  • all keys with a Identifier in their name (MachineIdentifier, ProcessedMachineIdentifier etc.)
  • LocalAppDataPath
  • PlexOnlineMail
  • PlexOnlineToken
  • you might want to keep FriendlyName as well, so your server retains its name for your users

Erasing all contents of this subfolder in the Plex data folder will reset the priority/order of the different agents to the default:
Plug-in Support/Metadata Combination/

Erasing all contents of this subfolder in the Plex data folder will delete all previously downloaded and cached metadata from the particular metadata agents:
Plug-in Support/Caches/

Erasing all contents of this subfolder in the Plex data folder will delete additional settings of metadata agents and channels:
Plug-in Support/Preferences/

Erasing all contents of this subfolder in the Plex data folder will remove all installed 3rd party agents and plugins
Plex Media Server/Plug-ins/
You might need to perform a ‘repair’ installation of Plex Server afterwards.

Don’t do the above too often.
2 or 3 times a year is OK I guess (but in no way required or recommended!)

Downloading metadata for a big library at once may get you an ‘abuser block’ from some of the metadata servers, particularly from metadata sources which were additionally installed.

After you’ve done this, give Plex Server a little extra time on the first start to restore the settings to their defaults and to download some missing default agents.
The server needs a working internet access!

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Is there a list somewhere of all the default server settings … I keep getting timeout and really do not want to reinstall the server.

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