# Plex on VPS stuck on “Not Authorized” **URL:** \ **Category:** Plex Media Server\ **Tags:** server-windows\ **Created:** [March 18, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232 "2026-03-18T17:51:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 5:51pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/1 "2026-03-18T17:51:52Z")
Server Version#: v.1.43.0.10492-121068a07 \ Hi everyone, I’m trying to set up Plex Media Server on a Windows VPS (Provider: Wealth Proxies) , but I keep running into issues with authorization and the web interface not loading properly. Here’s what’s happening: - When I open `http://127.0.0.1:32400/web`, I either get: * * * **What I’ve tried so far:** - Installed Plex Media Server on the VPS (Windows) - Generated claim tokens from [https://plex.tv/claim](https://plex.tv/claim) - Started Plex using Command Prompt with the claim token: - Made sure to: - Deleted the config folder: - Cleared cache folders - Tried multiple browsers and incognito mode - Verified Plex is listening on port 32400 using netstat - Confirmed firewall allows inbound connections - Verified the VPS public IP matches what Plex sees * * * **Network behavior:** - Test-NetConnection to port 32400 succeeds - Port 32400 shows as LISTENING - Accessing via VPS public IP loads Plex but shows “Not authorized” * * * **Additional context:** - I was able to install and run Plex successfully on my personal PC with no issues - The problem only happens on the VPS - At one point, the server seemed to connect to my home PC libraries, which was unexpected and confusing * * * **What I need help with:** - Why does the server remain “Not authorized” even when using a valid claim token? - Is my VPS compatible? - Is there something different about VPS environments that requires additional setup? ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/2 "2026-03-18T17:55:37Z")
I’m not aware that the Windows version of PMS can use claim tokens. That is a Linux thing, AFAIK. > [@New Claiming Requirement for Windows](https://forums.plex.tv/t/new-claiming-requirement-for-windows/839096/1): > > Back in Plex Media Server 1.29.2, we introduced some new behavior for macOS. This behavior is now being brought to Plex Media Server for Windows starting with version 1.32.2. Servers will now, by default, need to be claimed (i.e. signed-in to a Plex account). Coinciding with this new requirement, we’re also making some changes to the process for claiming a server. Due to this, the old method of claiming a server will no longer work (simply opening the local, bundled Plex Web client will no lon… > [@spwc](#): > > (Provider: Wealth Proxies) If they are just a Hetzner reseller, then it won’t work anyway. ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/3 "2026-03-18T17:57:45Z")
> [@spwc](#): > > the config folder: > > ```auto > C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Plex Media Server > > ``` Don’t run Plex server under an Admin user account. There is no need for it, and security is tighter if you use a dedicated restricted user account. Admittedly, this is only really viable if you also run PMS as a Windows system service: [PMS as a service](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-as-a-service/53381/1) ---
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 6:14pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/4 "2026-03-18T18:14:20Z")
> [@OttoKerner](#): > > Don’t run Plex server under an Admin user account. There is no need for it, and security is tighter if you use a dedicated restricted user account. > Admittedly, this is only really viable if you also run PMS as a Windows system service: [PMS as a service](https://forums.plex.tv/t/pms-as-a-service/53381/1) I’ll definitely move to a dedicated user and run Plex as a service once I get the server fully working. I confirmed with the VPS provider, they are not a Hetzner reseller. ---
**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/5 "2026-03-19T01:11:07Z")
Is your public IP listed under the Hetzner scope? Even if they are not a reseller they may be renting IP space. ---
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 4:23am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/6 "2026-03-19T04:23:00Z")
How can I find that out without asking them? ---
**Author:** ![OttoKerner](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/plex/user_avatar/forums.plex.tv/ottokerner/32/10079_2.png) [@OttoKerner](https://forums.plex.tv/u/OttoKerner)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 7:45am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/7 "2026-03-19T07:45:48Z")
Did you follow the first link I dropped above? ---
**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/8 "2026-03-19T11:42:29Z")
When you log into the server go to `https://whatismyipaddress.com/` and see what it shows ---
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 4:23pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/9 "2026-03-19T16:23:28Z")
Yes I did try that method, when I opened the setup plex html, the website kept spinning and I believe it said initializing server. Sorry did this last night, so not sure about the exact wording. But it was not working. > [@dbirch](#): > > Is your public IP listed under the Hetzner scope? Even if they are not a reseller they may be renting IP space. ---
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/10 "2026-03-19T16:28:16Z")
It shows D Stream Group FZ LLC ---
**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/11 "2026-03-19T17:49:03Z")
Can I get a copy of your [server logs?](https://support.plex.tv/articles/200250417-plex-media-server-log-files/) ---
**Author:** ![spwc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@spwc](https://forums.plex.tv/u/spwc)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/12 "2026-03-19T21:25:53Z")
[Plex Media Server.log](https://forums.plex.tv/uploads/short-url/9zPW9c2yHZmBF7Lwm5OoBNv2Jay.log) (142.5 KB) Here You go. ---
**Author:** ![dbirch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f19dbf/32.png) [@dbirch](https://forums.plex.tv/u/dbirch)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/13 "2026-03-19T21:37:31Z")
Normally we ask for the entire zip, but in this case I think we got lucky. ```Mar Mar 19, 2026 14:15:09.798 [11172] DEBUG - Network interfaces: Mar 19, 2026 14:15:09.798 [11172] DEBUG - * 13 VNet {D1CF5637-48B8-4F79-A874-761AB1B80F2C} (45.155.xxx.xx) (00-05-36-AF-F8-A4) (loopback: 0) ``` I censored the full public IP, but this is an unusual case. Most server sit on a RFC-1918 compliant subnet. Which is what Plex expects and requires to log into a server. It doesnt want someone randomly claiming a server over the internet in case the server accidentally gets unclaimed during an update or other situation. Not sure what the best route forward here is. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/plex/original/3X/2/a/2acb9765406f63293d357b4ec509ec39aa28f2ad.png) [@system](https://forums.plex.tv/u/system)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://forums.plex.tv/t/plex-on-vps-stuck-on-not-authorized/937232/14 "2026-06-17T21:38:06Z")
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