Plex Server disappeared and cannot be reclaimed

[lrmadsen]

Server Version#: latest/unknown
Player Version#: latest/unknown
I am running PMS in a docker container on Unraid. After an update to the container today (not sure if that is related), my Plex server and all local media libraries disappeared. I see the following in the docker container log:

Of course I cannot add local media because no server can be claimed.

I got a new claim token and put in a container variable. The server is not claimed and no servers appear in the local web client to be claimed.

I tried the suggestions in https://support.plex.tv/articles/204281528-why-am-i-locked-out-of-server-settings-and-how-do-i-get-in/ without success.

I removed the docker container and created it again from scratch. I even went so far as to delete all the Plex files to start over completely.

Nothing will show I have a local server to claim. Docker container is “running” but I am not sure the PMS is running.

Any ideas what to try next?

[ChuckPa]

if it won’t claim, check the networking configuration.

HOST networking is best.
NAT is OK if you know how to handle the Double-NAT created by the container and modem/router LAN network

[lrmadsen]

I do have the Plex docker container running on a VLAN for docker containers. It has been running fine this way for years until yesterday. Host LAN is 192.168.1.x. Docker VLAN is 192.168.3.x on docker network br0.3. Bi-directional traffic between LANs is enabled. All other docker containers on this VLAN are functioning without problems.

However, I will set the Plex docker to Host networking and see if it makes a difference.

[lrmadsen]

Thanks. Switching it back to Host did allow the server to be claimed. Once claimed, I was even able to switch it back to the VLAN and everything (except direct remote access) seemed to work. Yes, I did remember to change the port forward in the router each time I changed IP address. For now I will just leave it at host while I test things.

Strange that it worked for years on the VLAN and then just disappeared but everything is copacetic for now on Host networking.

[ChuckPa]

If switching to host restored it then your

VLAN 3 tagging isn’t correct on all your switch ports which are expected to have it.

By default, host adapter is VLAN 1 (default) so that all switches and modem/routers work.

I’d check all switches to ensure proper VLAN membership as well as VLAN tagging.

I keep it as simple as possible. VLAN 1 but on a different subnet works fine for most of configurations. I only configure VLANs when I am seting up a contained environment (such as a guest wifi)