I’m having what appears to be the same issue with my plex-pass install of plexmediaserver. I’ve installed version 1.16.6-1592 on a CentOS 7 Linux server and am seeing the “Server settings are unavailable” issue when navigating to the web UI directly on the server. I upgraded by downloading the latest RPM available on the website. @ChuckPa is it possible there’s still an issue? Can I provide logs or anything else that might help get an answer?
NAS boxes are on everyone’s LAN.
Centos boxes have the added flexibility of being remote (VPS / Host) server.
If settings are unavailable, it means it doesn’t recognize the Plex account you’re accessing it with as the owner.
Two things to check:
- You’re signed into the right account.
- The server is signed into that same account.
If uncertain, SSH-tunnel to it
ssh -L 8888:127.0.0.1:32400` ip.addr.of.host
-sign in and let sit idle-
in local, incognito, browser tab- open http://127.0.0.1:8888/web
I can reach port 32400 on my CentOS host directly (it is on my LAN), I logged into the webapp there with my credentials and the settings pages all report “Server settings are unavailable” just as they do when I try to administer the server through plex.tv. This behavior started yesterday when I upgraded from a 1.14 build to the current 1.16.6-1592.
In addition to the issue with the settings pages, I encounter this error when trying to stream a movie from the webapp:
If I press skip in that dialogue my movie plays as expected. I do have a pre-roll video for movies, selecting that video directly from my movie library behaves the same way (shows the error, skip, then plays my pre-roll video). I can’t get to the settings pages to test with pre-roll disabled.
EDIT
I did some more testing:
- I can stream TV shows without issue
- I can stream Movies which are marked partially watched if I resume where left off
- I cannot stream any Movies from the beginning without seeing and skipping the error above
This would all seem to imply that either my youtube streamed trailers or my local pre-roll for Movies are causing an issue. I would test disabling both of these features, but for the issue of all of my settings pages also displaying an error. Looking at the requests in the chrome network tab, I consistently see a 404 response to path/system/:/prefs when trying to load a settings page.
END EDIT
P.S. If you’re confident this is all unrelated to this threads issue despite the settings pages behaving the same, I’m happy to move to a new/more appropriate thread.
I have updated to the 1.17.0.1709 build and am still experiencing problems. All of my settings pages show “Server settings are unavailable.” @ChuckPa what can I do to get some assistance troubleshooting this issue? Any logs or anything else I can provide?
It looks like my system may have an issue with the IMDB agent, I see the following entries in the log:
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:34.257 [0x7f5270c15700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
As well as these:
Sep 29, 2019 21:28:48.134 [0x7f519f7fe700] ERROR - Error issuing curl_easy_perform(handle): 7
Sep 29, 2019 21:28:48.134 [0x7f519f7fe700] ERROR - Metadata /system/agents/media/get request failed with code: -7: http://127.0.0.1:0/system/agents/media/get?guid=com%2Eplexapp%2Eagents%2Eimdb%3A%2F%2Ftt0072431%3Flang%3Den&mediaType=1&url=metadata%3A%2F%2Fart%2Fcom%2Eplexapp%2Eagents%2Eimdb_9af5d9c5969414b941b29e000847ec30d85fb221
I found that I can reach the settings for my Movies library, but any attempt to save changes to it results in this logging:
Sep 29, 2019 21:41:18.963 [0x7f5260bd9700] ERROR - Errors in PUT request: <html><head><title>Bad Request</title></head><body><h1>400 Bad Request</h1></body></html>'agent' is missing or invalid
Checking the outgoing PUT message, I find agent: com.plexapp.agents.imdb as a query string parameter to that request.
Can I disable or remove this agent? Can that agent be re-installed?
Last update for the night, it turns out the system is logging that first line about killing plug-in for many, many plugins.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.175 [0x7f5249ffb700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.175 [0x7f5249ffb700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.453 [0x7f5249ffb700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.453 [0x7f5249ffb700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.719 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.lastfm], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.719 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.lastfm
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.727 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.htbackdrops], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.727 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.htbackdrops
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.731 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.fanarttv], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.732 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.fanarttv
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.994 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.lyricfind], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:30.994 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.lyricfind
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.001 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.localmedia], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.001 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.localmedia
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.019 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.movieposterdb], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.019 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.movieposterdb
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.033 [0x7f524bfff700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.033 [0x7f524bfff700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.268 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.opensubtitles], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.268 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.opensubtitles
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.284 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.none], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.284 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.none
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.305 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.imdb], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.305 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.imdb
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.309 [0x7f5270c15700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.309 [0x7f5270c15700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.536 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.plexmusic], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.536 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.plexmusic
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.568 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.plexthememusic], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.568 [0x7f52417fa700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.plexthememusic
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.690 [0x7f5208ff9700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.690 [0x7f5208ff9700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.692 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.themoviedb], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.692 [0x7f5248ff9700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.themoviedb
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.854 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.thetvdb], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.854 [0x7f52427fc700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.thetvdb
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.951 [0x7f5243fff700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:31.951 [0x7f5243fff700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:32.203 [0x7f52097fa700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.system], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:32.203 [0x7f52097fa700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.system
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:32.290 [0x7f51c9ffb700] ERROR - Timeout or error reading status line from plug-in pipe [com.plexapp.agents.imdb], we're killing it.
Sep 29, 2019 21:25:32.290 [0x7f51c9ffb700] ERROR - Error received reading configuration for com.plexapp.agents.imdb
Maybe not an IMDB issue specifically then. I’m shooting in the dark here, any assistance from someone on the Plex team that can help me with what to look for would be much appreciated.
Please turn DEBUG logging, but not VERBOSE, back ON. (it doesn’t use any more disk space than with it off but does show me what’s happening)
After setting back to those defaults, Please restart PMS, recreate the condition, then Download the ZIP file
Also, since you’re getting metadata and it seems running , what should the title be changed to here?
The current title of “Server settings are not available” is still accurate, and as far as I can tell is the major/primary symptom. I can’t get the the Settings->General UI (right, getting the settings pages to work is my major problem) to turn on DEBUG logging, or to collect the ZIP file. Are there command line instructions I can follow to gather the same information? I checked the Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Preferences.xml file but didn’t see anything that appeared to relate to logging levels.
If you stop PMS, edit Preferences.xml and add logDebug="1" within the list of other options, it will enable debug.
The complete list of advanced options is here.
https://support.plex.tv/articles/201105343-advanced-hidden-server-settings/
Thanks for the instructions @ChuckPa. I’m of course not able to download the log zip through the UI either, so I’ve zipped up the entire Logs directory found at Library/Application\ Support/Plex\ Media\ Server/Logs and attached it here. Logs.zip (4.8 MB)
Thanks for manually gathering the logs. They are what I need.
I immediately noticed a problem. This should not be happening on an almost 10,000 Passmark CPU.
Oct 01, 2019 08:27:17.372 [0x7f37e0ff9700] DEBUG - [com.plexapp.agents.imdb] Agent not known by system, so we're starting for sure.
Oct 01, 2019 08:27:17.372 [0x7f37e1ffb700] WARN - SLOW QUERY: It took 810.000000 ms to retrieve 1 items.
Oct 01, 2019 08:27:17.372 [0x7f37e0ff9700] DEBUG - Starting file watcher for com.plexapp.agents.imdb
There is something else here which does not make sense. The server is not even fully started yet their are transcoding sessions starting?
How skilled are you with either VI, Nano, or Gedit ?
What I think you’ll need do here is a modified ownership reset unless reclaiming isn’t a problem.
Please let me know your wishes and we’ll proceed from there.
I can use vim without issue. I made the logging changes and restarted the server remotely from work this morning, my girlfriend may well have been at home watching something at the time, does that explain the transcoding sessions?
I’m very familiar with Linux systems administration, so any CLI modifications you suggest I can make without issue. That said, I’m not yet sure what you’re suggesting? What ownership reset and/or reclaiming do I need to do?
It’s possible she was using it the moment it restarted. That’s more than plausible 
The server not allowing you to see Settings - Server indicates one of two conditions:
- Your Plex/web session isn’t signed in with the same Plex account ID as the server
- The server isn’t signed in (claimed) at all.
I see in your logs where it authenicates as you.
Oct 01, 2019 08:27:16.833 [0x7f386dd5f700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 01, 2019 08:27:16.833 [0x7f3835ffb700] DEBUG - Request: [192.168.1.11:45277 (Subnet)] GET /video/:/transcode/universal/session/48ce061f-7d10-4641-a09e-950d8c1f1177-329/base/01458.ts?protocol=hls&mediaIndex=0&waitForSegments=1 (8 live) TLS Signed-in Token (HeroesDieYoung) (range: bytes=0-344063)
Looking at what Plex.tv knows of recent activity, I see two servers
-
*******-serverwhich was last seen a few hours ago -
*********Rainwhich was last seen some 4 years ago.
Does this make sense to you?
Yes, I moved my Plex install a few years ago. The old name would have been Koalas*****Rain, the current server is called ******-server. I’ve only ever had the one Plex account, the HeroesDieYoung username that you see in the logs, so I can’t imagine any way at the server and web client believe I’m different users. When I log directly into the plex server at http://192.168.X.X:32400/web I authenticate with the same credentials, and still get the errors trying to view settings pages.
When I log into plex.tv from the same network where the plex media server is located I can see the ******-server entry listed:
When I log into plex.tv from somewhere else however the server doesn’t seem to be available:
I am able to watch content locally on my network, but not remotely. Does any of that help pin down where the issue is?
Remote connectivity was a separate issue that I’ve now resolved, I needed to add the port-foward rule in my new router as I don’t allow UPNP. My issue with “Server settings are unavailable” is unchanged. It seemed yesterday that you might have had some suggestions on things to try?
What I think you’ll need do here is a modified ownership reset unless reclaiming isn’t a problem.
Did you ever get this sorted Heroes? Chuck might be busy this week, though.
No I have not gotten past the issue. I’ve had a hard time getting consistent responses here. Chuck seemed to have some suggestions for things to try, but never elaborated on what steps would need to be taken.
I am 100% confident I am logging in with the same Plex account. I’ve been a plex user for years and years, I’ve only ever had the one account.
I also cannot imagine any way #2 could have become possible. This isn’t a new server. It has been operating as a Plex server for years. The issue began immediately after upgrading to 1.16.6-1592. I am now running the latest 1.18 build and still having this problem. I can’t see server settings, but additionally the server doesn’t download metadata for any new media.
My take on this is that the settings issue is a side-effect of a deeper issue, rather than the typical login-mismatch that keeps being brought up.
My current issues are:
- Server settings pages are unavailable
- Metadata is not automatically downloaded for new media added to the server
- My pre-roll clip could no longer play after upgrading to 1.16. I have side-stepped this issue by editing xml directly to disable that feature.
The only next step I can take without some team-member guidance is to do a re-install. I’d hate to have to do that and lose my history of which content has been watched. Not sure what else to do here to get assistance though. I’ve been as responsive as possible and provided everything asked for.
let’s not lose anything. I’ll have a look at your whole thread over the next hour or two.
Chuck is busy this week I hear, but you both made good progress.
@nibbles Thanks, I have uploaded another copy of my logs. Prior to grabbing these logs I clicked around in the settings pages seeing the “unavailable” error message each time, and tried to manually refresh metadata for a couple of movies - which also fails.
plex-logs.zip (4.6 MB)
There are a lot of instances in the logs when heroesdieyoung is authorized into the server. I’ll paste a few below, but I also found one other. Are they both you?
Oct 15, 2019 10:28:53.723 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:29:53.723 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:30:46.438 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:30:46.498 [0x7f3fbe7fc700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:30:53.724 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:31:17.754 [0x7f3fbe7fc700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1633317 as divisionbyzero
Oct 15, 2019 10:31:18.074 [0x7f3fbe7fc700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1633317 as divisionbyzero
Oct 15, 2019 10:31:18.170 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1633317 as divisionbyzero
Oct 15, 2019 10:31:19.400 [0x7f3fbe7fc700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1633317 as divisionbyzero
Oct 15, 2019 10:31:53.723 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:32:53.722 [0x7f3fbe7fc700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
Oct 15, 2019 10:33:53.723 [0x7f3fbeffd700] DEBUG - Auth: authenticated user 1 as HeroesDieYoung
I can’t see all the information about the server because you did a metadata refresh which fills things up in a few minutes.
Would you restart the computer, then give PMS 6min to initialize, then try to connect to it using the https://local.server.ip:32400/web and then download new logs? Thanks.
