# Plex Media Server cannot add server **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [March 5, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371 "2021-03-05T22:52:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Kabin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@The\_Kabin](https://forums.plex.tv/u/The_Kabin)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2021, 10:52pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/1 "2021-03-05T22:52:48Z")
Server Version#: Player Version#: I had PMS loaded on laptop but then the hard drive died. Replaced hard drive so taking opportunity to set up server with new Admin account. Created account, downloaded PMS - nowhere to “add server”. I have spent two hours trying to read up but still cannot find how to add a server - let alone a library 😮 Using Google browser Not overly tech savvy so would appreciate some help! ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/2 "2021-03-06T00:00:17Z")
If you did a clean install on that machine, make sure to open the Plex Media Server locally through a browser in order to complete the installation. - if you’re on the very same machine… open [http://127.0.0.1:32400/web](http://127.0.0.1:32400/web) in your browser - if you’re on a different machine within your home network… open http://[IP address of the Windows server]:32400/web # This should bring up a setup dialog that allows you to complete the installation (e.g. naming your server, linking it to your Plex account, creating your first libraries). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Kabin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@The\_Kabin](https://forums.plex.tv/u/The_Kabin)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 12:55am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/3 "2021-03-06T00:55:59Z")
Hmmm - thanks for the reply. Still doesn’t look like I can “add server”. So essentially I am using the same laptop (shell) as previously but with completely new hard drive (and OS). The device has absolutely nothing loaded other than factory settings and now PMS and I have created a new account for my Admin. How do I create a server on the device for PMS to pick up? ---
**Author:** ![tom80H](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/tom80h/32/19753_2.png) [@tom80H](https://forums.plex.tv/u/tom80H)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 1:01am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/4 "2021-03-06T01:01:36Z")
So… what exactly do you see when opening that link? If you had been running the Plex Media Server on that install before with a different account, you might have gotten stuck / locked out (as Plex considers it not to be your server). > **[Why am I locked out of Server Settings and how do I get in? | Plex Support](https://support.plex.tv/articles/204281528-why-am-i-locked-out-of-server-settings-and-how-do-i-get-in/)** > > In some rare situations, you may find yourself “locked out” from being able to access your Plex Media Server and... ---
**Author:** ![The\_Kabin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@The\_Kabin](https://forums.plex.tv/u/The_Kabin)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2021, 1:09am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/5 "2021-03-06T01:09:08Z")
oooh that’s way above my technical capability - registry settings etc. So would they remain on the device even though the hard drive has been replaced? **EDIT** \* I navigated and deleted - now I see a server option!! \*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 1:10am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-media-server-cannot-add-server/697371/6 "2021-06-04T01:10:09Z")
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