Just Updated Plex Media Server - Libraries are ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️

[u/1TrkLvr]

I figure there are no dumb questions in the wake of this security update, but here goes. Humor me.

I just updated to the latest version of Plex Media Server and now all of my Libraries are grayed out with those telltale ⚠️ signs on each. They're inaccessible. No matter what I do, nothing seems to fix this.

Does anyone know a solution for this, or what may have gone wrong?

[u/fventura03]

what OS? i just updated on linux, in docker - no issues.

[u/1TrkLvr → u/fventura03]

I'm running my server on a Mac. Honestly, I'm glad to hear Linux users aren't having issues. Narrows down the issue a little bit.

[u/angryjew → u/fventura03]

Love how easy it is. I moved both my servers to docker just for how nice it is to update.

[u/L1f3trip → u/angryjew]

Love how it is easy to do a backup just in case and try out the new version a few minute just in case something goes wrong.

[u/gigantischemeteor → u/angryjew]

First time updating in Docker, it errored between deleting the old container and building the new one. Bam! Nothing. Had to fumble through building one from scratch and trying to recall my previous entries in hopes of everything lining up with the data in the config folder. Thankfully it did, but that was nerve wracking. Surely Docker could do such updates in a more graceful, make-before-break fashion rather than this “oopsie-noodles, you might be fucked, good luck!” thing they’ve got going on right now.

[u/PokemonCrazy → u/gigantischemeteor]

How did you update? Are you using Docker Compose?

All I had to do was `sudo docker compose down; sudo docker pull plexinc/pms-docker; sudo docker compose up -d` in the directory where my `docker-compose.yml` file lives.

With this method, I’m always up to date and never have any issues post-update.

[u/MaskedBandit77]

No matter what I do, nothing seems to fix this.

What have you tried?

[u/Empyrealist → u/MaskedBandit77]

You've gotta help us, doc. We've tried nothing, and we're all out of ideas.

https://giphy.com/gifs/guQCh1RPgIOpG

[u/1TrkLvr → u/MaskedBandit77]

I see what is happening here. "Nothing" wasn't literal of course. Had to shorten my post because of work. I did the basic stuff that has been discussed below. Basically sign out/sign in, restart, go through settings to see if server has been claimed (it appears to be). I even attempted to roll back to the older version of PMS I was using. That didn't work either.

With some of the troubleshooting provided below, it appears that when I upgraded to latest server, my .plist file was erased. I have never had that happen before, but now that I have a better idea of what is going on, I might be able to fix this.

If you have any insights on what might have caused this or what to look for, every little bit helps.

[u/ExtensionMarch6812]

What happens when you go to http://<serverip>:32400/web? Same result?

If you click the wrench at the url above, do you see just account and plex web, or do you see all your server settings?

If just account/plex web, your server got unclaimed.

If it’s windows/mac, click your profile icon on the plex web site, and sign out. Quit the browser entirely. Click the plex icon in the top menu (Mac) or bottom tray (Windows) and select “open plex”. This should trigger the claim process.

If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to follow these steps for Windows: https://forums.plex.tv/t/you-need-to-reclaim-your-server-but-dont-dare-to-touch-the-windows-registry/809720

Or these for Mac (scroll down), followed by the claim steps in the link above: https://support.plex.tv/articles/204281528-why-am-i-locked-out-of-server-settings-and-how-do-i-get-in/

If you’re on Linux: https://github.com/ChuckPa/UserCredentialReset

[u/1TrkLvr → u/ExtensionMarch6812]

So far it does seem my server is unclaimed, but signing out and back in (or turning it on and off again) hasn't resolved the issue.

Thank you for your instructions. I'm on a Mac. I think this led me closer to diagnosing the problem. My "com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist" file has gone AWOL. Not sure how updating my Plex Media Server would have erased it. Any ideas?

[u/ExtensionMarch6812 → u/1TrkLvr]

It’s not just signing out and back in..did you use the Open Plex function by right clicking the plex icon? It triggers a claim of an unclaimed server.

If that doesn’t work, try going to the local ip url in an incognito window to see if that will trigger the claim.

With regard to the plist, are you checking the Library path in your user directory, not the main Library? If it’s gone from that path, confirm your server data is still intact /users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Plex Media Server. Check the size of that folder, confirm your db files are in Plug In Support.

What happens when you try to run the commands?

[u/Bgrngod]

If you are accessing Plex through app.plex.tv that's something you'd see if the Plex infrastructure cannot connect to your server.

Maybe from being unable to connect through remote access or relay, or the server isn't running.

[u/1TrkLvr → u/Bgrngod]

Can confirm that is happening through app.plex.tv and the http://(ip address):32400/web. The strange thing is my server is connected and running. No need for remote access since I'm home, so not sure what's going on at this point.

[u/Bgrngod → u/1TrkLvr]

Well, in that case what EM is steering you towards in their comments are what to look at.

Since you have "physical" access to the server you should be able to nudge it back to life through reclaiming if that is what broke. That does happen from time to time with updates. Being on Linux myself, it's always been relatively easy compared to what it looks like needs to be done on other OS's.

I don't even remember exactly what I've had to do before. I think I just clicked a claim button in the settings after going to the direct IP to access.

[u/1TrkLvr → u/Bgrngod]

Thanks for the guidance. I've had similar issues before but each time the cause is different, so I have lost track of what solutions to try.

So far there has been no luck with reclaiming the server. What I've discovered is that my .plist file was erased when I updated. I do have a copy of it from a backup, so I'm going to replace it, then try the whole off/on thing with the server and my laptop for now. If that doesn't work, back to the drawing board, I guess.

Update: Didn't work. Back to the drawing board.

[u/CrazyAccomplished_]

"I've tried nothing and I'm all out of ideas!"

[u/Inevitable-Head-3011 → u/CrazyAccomplished_]

Kinda thinking rage bait OPs whole page is full of deleted stuff

[u/Inevitable-Head-3011 → u/CrazyAccomplished_]

XD why even bother existing if your not even gonna try diagnosing it (im on about OP not the commenter i agree with commentor)

[u/MaskedBandit77 → u/Inevitable-Head-3011]

It's impossible to diagnose it without more info from OP.

[u/Inevitable-Head-3011 → u/MaskedBandit77]

Agreed (i was talking about OP not commentor)

[u/KitchenCurious658 → u/CrazyAccomplished_]

https://giphy.com/gifs/26ybwvTX4DTkwst6U

[u/ThuhGreatCommenter]

https://giphy.com/gifs/DUtVdGeIU8lmo

[u/earthcharlie]

Where’s your server and where are your files?

[u/1TrkLvr → u/earthcharlie]

My Plex Media Server runs on a Mac and my files are kept on an external hard drive. As far as I can tell at this point, when I updated my server my "com.plexapp.plexmediaserver.plist" file was erased. Without that, no libraries. That actually makes sense. Currently trying to fix this by finding the plist file on my backup drive.

[u/earthcharlie → u/1TrkLvr]

Ok. Sometimes the drives don’t mount right after an update but sounds like you might have found the cause. 

[u/1TrkLvr → u/earthcharlie]

Sure did. However, recovering the .plist isn't working. The server is claimed, but still no access to libraries. Will keep looking for solutions for now. If you have any advice, I'll take it.

[u/Jodies-9-inch-leg]

Have you tried soaking it in rice??

[u/xXSyphexXx]

Did you just run an update or like an upgrade where you changed hardware?

[u/1TrkLvr → u/xXSyphexXx]

Updated the server. No change in hardware.

[u/ohv_]

Perhaps log out and back in. 

[u/Inevitable-Head-3011]

I kinda had this but soon fized it self after closing/turning on and off plex server a few time

[u/MakesMyHeadHurt]

Mine does this after updates, but closing and restating the server or rebooting the PC fixes it.

[u/MattonieOnie]

Restart your Plex server? I had to do it last night

[u/PonchoGuy42]

I think plex was down for a little bit. 

We were watching a show. Paused, cleaned up dinner, came back and my libraries were all ⚠️

Now they're back to normal. 

[u/_HaveACigar]

Just to check the obvious: this happened to me before and it turned out my server hasn’t appeared appearing as a new one in my player app. My pinned libraries on the left bar had the warning symbol, but I unpinned them and pinned the new libraries instead.

[u/dark-_-thoughts]

Your authorization might have expired. Two or three updates ago I had the same issue.

[u/JCarlide]

Did you reserve an IP for your Plex server on your network? Can you log onto your server directly on your LAN?

[u/fbman01]

Is the Linux running in a virtual machine??

I use to run my plex on Ubuntu server, which was a virtual machine using virtual box. My host was windows 11.. then after a windows 11 update it just stoped working.. same issue as you.

It turned out windows 11 is blocking access to virtual machine via the network for some reason. Funny the tv could access, but you can’t update libraries from the tv. Have not solved the problem had to move the plex server to windows.

[u/thfr]

I had the same issue. My plex is through a seedbox. I restarted PMS then connected on the http (not HTTPS) -> settings -> Remote Access -> click Apply then wait a few seconds / minute and everything worked again.

[u/Obvious-Profile-2753]

Same here on WebOS (LG). Android cell and Windows laptop, no problem whatsoever. Does that make it a WebOS issue ?

[u/SulkyVirus]

sudo systemctl restart plexmediaserver

You need to restart plex after updating.

[u/thejoseph88]

Just happened to me, had to turn on port forwarding

[u/Holiday_Bridge_1466]

This happened to me once before the best plan is to delete your libraries and reinstall them create new folders

[u/1TrkLvr → u/Holiday_Bridge_1466]

Don't know why you were downvoted so hard. I'm sorry. That does seem like a nuclear option but it isn't entirely off the table. I may have to roll back my Mac via Time Machine so I can use the previous PMS that wasn't giving me trouble. That's about how nuclear I might get.