Reformatted server PC, now perpetual "Not authorized You do not have access to this server."

Plex Media Server Desktops & Laptops
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Server Version#: 1.32.6.7557-1cf77d501
Player Version#: Browser
<If providing server logs please do NOT turn on verbose logging, only debug logging should be enabled>

I wasn’t aware that there was a special procedure that needed to be done to “transfer” the server to the same PC after reformatting. I had reformatted and did a fresh install of Windows 11. My media files are on seperate hard drives within the same PC. Everything, including Plex media server was a fresh install with the latest versions. Once I signed in, I got the “Not authorized You do not have access to this server.” screen. I am able to get to the home screen and therefore my settings (but not my server content) via the app.plex.tv route, but trying to access directly by right clicking on the system tray icon and selecting “open plex” leads directly to the “Not authorized You do not have access to this server.” screen.

I have exhausted all the troubleshooting options. I tried to claim my server, however there absolutely was not any option to enter a claim code under the general settings tab or anywhere else in the settings (I looked numerous times). I tried uninstalling the server, deleted the plex entry from the registry, deleted the Plex folder from the local appdata folder, removed every single device from the “authorized devices” option screen, logged out of plex, then reinstalled the server, signed back in, and have only gotten the same result - Not authorized.

I read on another post that if I didn’t do the correct transfer procedure before formatting, then my server is lost for good so I should start anew. So in the app.plex.tv route in my browser, I clicked on the “remove server” or “delete server” option (I forgot the exact wording), and that successfully removed the server from my options on the side. However, when I try to connect directly from the server tray icon, I still only get the “Not authorized” screen. I am completely locked out from using plex.

Of course, I am sure the possibility of saving the previous server is probably nil, but I am ok with rebuilding the server from a fresh start - I still have all the media afterall, I just don’t have the ability to use my plex.

So I suppose I am asking for a way to completely dissociate the previous server from my account so that I can actually use my plex and start a new server.

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I have followed the instructions in that post, and still have the same result.

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Try to use a Chrome web browser in “incognito” mode. i.e. without any add-ons
And you better tell it to not only allow cookies from plex.tv, but to also preserve them between sessions.

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By digging through many layers of these foruum posts and replies, I came across You need to reclaim your server, but don't dare to touch the Windows Registry

Method 1 changed some stuf, and it looked like the issue might be resolved and things were happening, but everything was super slow, taking forever to load until eventually when I refreshed the page and it gave me some sort of error and then said plex was unavailable. Trying to access again directly from the system tray icon ended up back at the same “Not authorized” page. Then I tried Method 2 and that solved the the problem. I was able to rebuild a new server and everything seems to be working fine now.

Not sure why this worked when deleting the same entries in the registry didn’t work. Not sure why this worked when deleting the whole Plex section in the registrey along with the local appdata folder, uninstalling, restaring the pc, and reinstalling Plex media server didn’t work.

I do thank you for the help, I really appreciate it. However I feel that a normal end user shouldn’t have to deal with problems like this, shouldn’t have to jump through so many hoops to try to fix it, shouldn’t have to scour through countless disorganized forum posts and just keep trying everything they see trial and error style.

Again, appreciate the help, but surely you understand the frustration.

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