Server Version#: Can’t tell (won’t load) but close to latest
Player Version#: n/a (trying to load server UI)
I’m running on windows 10 and I thought I’d be clever and run NSSM so the server would launch automatically every time windows decided to update/reboot my server. This seems to have borked my server. I’ve removed NSSM from the system (and rebooted) but every time I login, run plex server and then try “Open Plex…” from the system tray, I get a 401 unavailable error.
I’ve rebooted many times. I’ve followed the support page to remove the plexonline register entries (and rebooted). I try the localhost URL (without HTTPS) yet nothing seems to work.
I’m considering to just removing ALL register entries and force a new setup but that feels a bit extreme, but I’m willing to do it. I’m just trying to get my server back and I’m willing to rebuild my library if necessary.
So many solutions start with “go to the dashboard” but I can’t even get there, I’m completely locked out of my server. At this point I’m willing to just uninstall/reinstall but I’ve read posts where people have done this and it STILL doesn’t help! I assume there is something cryptic I need to do?
Not the worst idea. I’m doing the same since virtually forever.
You need to define however, under which Windows user account this service is to be run. Because that defines where Plex server is looking for its configuration and library data.
You also need to keep in mind that Windows services don’t have access to the drive letter which you might have connected to a network file share (NAS).
But let’s keep this aside for now.
First, we need to restore things like they used to be.
You need to remember which Windows user account you used to log in, before you installed nssm.
Because this determines where you need to look for the plex data folder.
If you have run Plex server with “Run as Administrator” during your struggle, the file/subfolder access permissions inside of this folder might have been partially changed to the Administrator user account. Which then prevents Plex server to access/change them, when started normally.
You need to reset those permissions to the defaults.
If you have never re-located your plex data folder before, you will find it under C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server
You can either use the Windows folder properties to reset the access permissions, but that can be tricky if you use Windows Home or have never done this before.
I recommend using this tool Resetting NTFS files permission in Windows – Graphical Utility – lallous' lab to do it.
Just let it “inherit” those permissions from the parent folder C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local
While doing this, Plex server needs to be closed /stopped/ended or it will be for naught.
Thank you for that thorough reply! I’ve found that folder and I’m including a screen shot of the current preferences. Am I mistaken or do things actually look correct? I’m happy to run your utility. I just thought it would be wise to double check if the permissions are really the problem.
You cannot draw any conclusions from this, because there are hundreds of subfolders, containing several thousands of files, some of which could have deviating permissions on them.
This only shows you the default permissions. It doesn’t reflect what is actually set on all the files and folders contained therein.
OK, I’ve followed the instructions (including a screenshot of .reg file contents for confirmation) ran it, got the warning and then ran the PMS and used the “Open Plex…” command from the systray, I still get the 401 unauthorized.
I did not, but in following the instructions to claim my server, their first step was to use the “Open Plex…” command from the system tray, which doesn’t load properly, I get this very minimal “401 unauthorized” error in very large text in my browser. So I assumed I couldn’t actually complete the claim process.
Take a detour to your Windows network connections screen. Is the local network connection marked as “public”? If it is, set it to “private”. Are there more than one local network connections?
Do you have internet access on the server machine at all?
Is there an “internet filter” active on this machine or your local network? (Pi-hole et al.)
Found it, marked as private. Keep in mind this was working perfectly fine until I tried NSSM, so I don’t think there was anything odd about my network previously that would hold me back (unless NSSM changed something?).
You have been incredibly patient and helpful, I just wanted to thank you. But maybe we need to consider more drastic actions, like uninstalling/reinstalling?
If you start Plex Media Server, you see the task tray icon, right?
If you use the Windows Task Manager (CTRL+Shift+Esc) in the Detail view, you should see the Windows user account under which all of the running processes are started.
Find Plex Media Server.exe in that list and compare the user name with the one that you are using to logon.
OK, we may be onto something. I can see Plex in my system tray but when I go into Windows Task Manage, it just says “No running apps” so that seems like a pretty big red flag. Plex is running but not under my login?
You did enable the “detail” display of the Task Manager?
Is this Windows “Home”?
Are you sure that you removed nssm.exe?
Were you logged into the Windows Administrator user account when you tried to set up nssm.exe? (or any other account other than the one you are using now?)
Okay there’s a lot there for me to unpack and explore. I made sure I removed my Plex task from nssm and then deleted the exe file so I thought there was no way it could run. But maybe it’s lurking in some corner and I have to dig deeper.
There is a lot I need to check out so let me work on this for a day or two and then get back to you. Thanks again for all of your help! Very much appreciated!
I just wanted to circle back and confirm the problem was that NSSM was not properly uninstalled. After fixing that, I was able to view my server dashboard, reclaim my account and get things up and running.
I wanted to thank @OttoKerner for his very patient help and hope he wasn’t discouraged by helping someone rather naive about how things work.
