Reinstalling FileMaker Server to troubleshoot an issue

Claris Support

Source: https://support.claris.com/s/article/Reinstalling-FileMaker-Server-to-troubleshoot-an-issue-1503693085688?language=en_US

FileMaker’s Support Methodology identifies the application as a factor to consider when troubleshooting an issue.  The most certain way to rule out the Server application is to perform a clean uninstall and reinstall of FileMaker Server. Follow the steps below to completely uninstall FileMaker Server while preserving your settings and data.


Table of Contents

Backup databases
Save schedules
Close all databases
Stop all FileMaker processes
Run the uninstaller
Move or rename the original FileMaker Server folder
Remove the fmserver user (macOS only)
Delete the LaunchDaemons plists (macOS only)
Uninstall all versions of Java
Uninstall additional components (Windows only)
Restart the machine

Backup databases

Verify that you have a good backup of your databases.  If a good backup does not exist, create a backup.

1. Click Backups > Backup Schedules.
   • If no backup schedule exists, select Create Schedule, and create a schedule to backup all databases.
2. Select a schedule to run and click Run Now.

The default backup location is /FileMaker Server/Data/Backups/.


Save schedules

1. Click the Configuration > Script and Verify Schedules tab or the Backups > Backup Schedules tab.
2. Choose Save or Load > Save All Schedules.
3. Save the schedule settings file to the location defined by your web browser, or find a new location. The file is created with the default name fms19_settings.settings.

Close all databases

• Admin Console:
  
  1. Click the Databases page.
  2. For All Databases, click down arrow and choose Close All.
• macOS: Open Terminal and run the following command: sudo fmsadmin close -y
• Windows: Command Prompt:
  
  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. Run the following commands in order:
     
     ​​​cd “[drive]:\program files\filemaker\filemaker server\database server”  
     fmsadmin close -y
• Linux: In the Linux CLI, enter the following command: sudo /opt/FileMaker/FileMaker\ Server/Database\ Server/bin/fmsadmin close -y

Stop all FileMaker processes

• macOS:

1. Open Terminal and run the following command: sudo launchctl stop com.filemaker.fms
2. Use Activity Monitor to verify that the FileMaker Server processes have stopped.

• Windows:

1. Open “Services” from the Start menu.
2. Select the FileMaker Server service, then choose Action menu > Stop.

• Linux: 

1. In the Linux CLI, enter the following command: sudo service fmshelper stop

Run the uninstaller

NOTE: If you need to uninstall a two-machine deployment, uninstall the worker machine first.

• macOS:

1. Use the uninstaller application located in the /Library/FileMaker Server folder.

• Windows:

1. Open Control Panel, then click Uninstall a program (or Programs and Features).
2. Select the FileMaker Server product from the list and click Uninstall.

• Linux: 

1. In the Linux CLI, enter the following commands.

• Disconnect all FileMaker Server clients:
  fmsadmin disconnect client
• Close all FileMaker databases:
  fmsadmin close
• Stop FileMaker Server:
  sudo service fmshelper stop
• Uninstall FileMaker Server:
  sudo apt remove filemaker-server

Move or rename the original FileMaker Server folder

NOTE: Do not delete this folder or you will lose your databases.

• macOS: /Library/FileMaker Server
• Windows: [drive]:\Program Files\FileMaker\FileMaker Server
• Linux: filelinux:/opt/FileMaker/FileMaker Server

Remove the fmserver user (macOS only)

Open Terminal and run the following command: sudo dscl . -delete /Users/fmserver


Delete the LaunchDaemon plists (macOS only)

1. Navigate to /Library/LaunchDaemons/
2. Delete any .plist files that start with “com.filemaker”.

Uninstall all versions of Java

• macOS: Delete the Java file /Library/Internet Plugins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin
• Windows: via the Add/Remove Programs control panel.
• Linux: In the Linux CLI, enter the following command: sudo apt remove default-jdk default-jre

Uninstall additional components (Windows only)

Via the Add/Remove Programs control panel:

• Bonjour
• Microsoft Visual C++ (all versions)
• IIS URL Rewrite Module
• Microsoft Application Request Routing
• Microsoft External Cache for IIS
• Microsoft WebFarm Framework

Restart the machine

After restarting the machine, FileMaker Server is now completely uninstalled.  To reinstall, follow the steps in the FileMaker Server Getting Started Guide.

Click here for additional information on installing FileMaker Server including troubleshooting information.