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+--- Forum: Troubleshooting (https://forum.jellyfin.org/f-troubleshooting)
+--- Thread: SOLVED: Support (/t-solved-support)
Support - lokize - 2025-05-21
Hi everyone,
I'm facing a serious issue with my Jellyfin server.
Out of nowhere, my admin access was lost. I tried to reset the setup by editing the system.xml file and setting:
<IsStartupWizardCompleted>false</IsStartupWizardCompleted>
Then I restarted the server and went through the setup wizard again. However, when I tried to use my original username during the setup, it threw a unique constraint error. So I used a different name, but Jellyfin somehow linked it to an existing user instead of creating a new one.
Now when I log in, I don't get access to the admin dashboard at all — even with the newly created account. It looks like I'm stuck without any way to manage my server, and I'm really worried about losing all my existing configurations.
Has anyone faced this before or knows how I can restore admin access without wiping everything?
Thanks in advance for any help!
RE: Support - bitmap - 2025-05-21
Have you tried that process again? That should be the solution. You may also want to load it back up after re-enabling the startup wizard using an incognito window and/or clear your cache.
RE: Support - lokize - 2025-05-21
Yes, I did all of that. I even opened the jellyfin.db file and tried deleting my old user. But when I create it again, it overwrites an existing user that was already there — and that user wasn’t an admin. I honestly don’t know what else to try at this point.
Thank you in advance for any help. I really appreciate it!
RE: Support - bitmap - 2025-05-21
So maybe an elementary question, but did you stop the container, REMOVE the container, modify system.xml, then restart? Removing the container is a required step, otherwise you're just starting the same one. The other topic about passwords reminded me.
You could also try the Forgot Password workflow. Click forgot password on the login screen, complete the form, check your server for the code required to reset the password.
RE: Support - lokize - 2025-05-21
I have now tried all the points you mentioned and it didn't work either
RE: Support - bitmap - 2025-05-21
If you're experiencing the exact same behavior for all of these, there's something wrong with the setup. Re-running the setup wizard is the easiest step and should work right off the bat. The forgot password workflow -- using it for your admin user -- should work as well, though it's a bit wonky.
Run the startupwizard with a completely new, completely random name and password. If that doesn't work, I'm out of ideas...
The only other options I can find are here: https://jellyfin.org/docs/general/administration/troubleshooting/#unlock-locked-user-account
RE: Support - lokize - 2025-05-21
I had already tried all of those steps, and none of them worked. No matter which user I created, it would always link to an existing one without admin permissions. However, I ended up trying something completely different:
I opened the database and deleted all users
I set <IsStartupWizardCompleted>false</IsStartupWizardCompleted>
I restarted the service and recreated the admin user — and it worked.
Thanks for the support, and I hope this helps others who run into the same issue!
RE: Support - bitmap - 2025-05-21
Well sheesh. Good on you for continuing to try and for leaving the answer for folks at the end of their rope. Been there.