Plex is running but not giving me the installation guide

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: Plex Media Server v1.16.3.1402-22929c8a2 - Ubuntu PC x86_64 - build: linux-x86_64 debian - GMT 00:00
Linux version: 18.04.2 LTS (Bionic Beaver), language: en-US
Ufw: inactive (Just to be sure).

Problem started when i updated to 1.16.3.1402 - everything worked perfekt before that…
Tryed reinstalling, and downgrading. Even fresh install from snap and regular.
No idea what to do now… It’s basicly not giving me the “installation wizard” so i can start over again. - I pressed “Remove server” when i was trying to fix it earlyer.

plexmediaserver.service - Plex Media Server
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/plexmediaserver.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Fri 2019-07-26 17:54:24 UTC; 3min 51s ago
Process: 2960 ExecStartPre=/bin/sh -c /usr/bin/test -d “{PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR}" || /bin/mkdir -p "{PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_APPLICATION_SUPPORT_DIR}” (code=exited, status=0/SUCCESS)
Main PID: 2968 (sh)
Tasks: 77 (limit: 4915)
CGroup: /system.slice/plexmediaserver.service
├─2968 /bin/sh -c PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_INFO_VENDOR="(grep ^NAME= /etc/os-release | awk -F= "{print \$2}" | tr -d \" )" PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_INFO_DEVICE="PC" PLEX_MEDIA_SERVER_INFO_MODEL="(uname -
├─2981 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Media Server
├─2998 Plex Plug-in [com.plexapp.system] /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Plug-ins-22929c8a2/Framework.bundle/Contents/Resources/Versions/2/Python/bootstrap.py --server-version 1.16.3.1402-229
├─3038 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex DLNA Server
├─3039 /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Plex Tuner Service /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Tuner/Private /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Tuner/Shared 1.16.3.1402-22929c8a2 32600 /waitmutex
└─3085 Plex Plug-in [com.plexapp.agents.imdb] /usr/lib/plexmediaserver/Resources/Plug-ins-22929c8a2/Framework.bundle/Contents/Resources/Versions/2/Python/bootstrap.py --server-version 1.16.3.140

Jul 26 17:54:24 asgard systemd[1]: Starting Plex Media Server…
Jul 26 17:54:24 asgard systemd[1]: Started Plex Media Server.

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  1. Sign out the Plex/web browser from your account (upper right corner)
  2. If the server is local (same RFC-1918 compliant LAN): http://ip.addr.of.host:32400/web
  3. If the server is remote (VPS / etc) or non-RFC1918 compliant LAN, ssh tunnel will be needed:
    a. ssh -L 8888:127.0.0.1:32400 ip.addr.of.host
    b. sign ssh session in and let idle.
    c. Local browser tab http://127.0.0.1:8888/web
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Thanks for quick reply. So basicly like this:
ssh -L 8888:127.0.0.1:32400 mypublicaddress (Did this in cmd from my w10 comp).

“Welcome to Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS (GNU/Linux 4.15.0-54-generic x86_64)”

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That looks good if you’re using the WSL2 layer in Win 10. I didn’t know they have that operational already. ( I am a linux guy)

With that session signed in and idle, now use the browser as I showed above.

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used incognito mode, and mypublicaddress:32400/web and logged inn. Still the same, just 1 remote plex server there on the top left, nothing else showing.

This is a dedicted server btw, not a VPS from a provider.

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Thanks for the info. You must use the Tunnel to claim it. You cannot use the Public IP.

At this point, we force-reclaim it.

  1. Stop PMS
  2. On the remote host: sudo rm "/var/lib/plexmediaserver/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server/Preferences.xml"
  3. Start PMS
  4. Using the incognito again, Open http://127.0.0.1:8888/web (the ssh tunnel to it)
  5. As a first-time installation, create a library section (or more if you wish).
    a. If you ever have to reset the ownership (Preferences.xml), don’t recreate sections as they persist through a soft-reset.
  6. When at the Dashboard, Settings - Server - Preferences to fine tune any settings.
  7. Add other media sections as you deem appropriate.
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That worked, ftw… Thanks man! But whhhy? :smiley:

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It works because PMS has a default security mode.

That security mode activates when the server is accessed by a public IP and the server isn’t owned (signed into a plex account). It does allow physical access (which is how you would access it via SSH (into the remote host) and then use the loopback adapter (further evidence you own it).

It does this to prevent someone from taking control of your machine if your internet went out or anything strange happened. It’s a failsafe to keep your things protected.

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