# All flows gone after fresh install

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476>\
**Category:** General\
**Created:** [30 October 2023 18:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476 "2023-10-30T18:22:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/1 "2023-10-30T18:22:22Z")

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Hello, i did a search first , but didnt find the answer.  
I was trying to setup a reverse proxy and all of a sudden my flows where deleted.  
I did a fresh install of OS, reinstalled nodered and mqtt.  
made sure all updates where done  
imported my back up and insured i had all the proper nodes inplace and re set up.  
i came in today and noticed i had no dashboard so i went into the editor. and there is no flows again.  
how do i see if there is a conflict causing my flows to be erased or what is causing this.  
thanks.

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**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/2 "2023-10-30T18:24:04Z")

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How do you start Node-red?  
What files do you have in directory .node-red?

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**Author:** ![edje11](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/edje11/32/572_2.png) [@edje11](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/edje11)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:31 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/3 "2023-10-30T18:31:46Z")

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Node-RED uses `flows_<hostname>.json` as the default flows file.  
Changing the hostname of your server will affect what files are loaded, so maybe the hostname is changed during reinstallation of your OS.  
Check what \*.json files are in your nodered directory.

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:41 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/4 "2023-10-30T18:41:51Z")

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i had backed up the complete flow and downloaded to my laptop  
when i go in to fix i just import flows. I never dropped a file in just did it the safe way.  
but for some reason its getting deleted from system.  
not sure why and i really need to figure that out.

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/5 "2023-10-30T18:52:54Z")

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What OS and hardware are you running node red on? Are you using Docker?

Edit: also, is your node red server accessible via the Internet?

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 18:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/6 "2023-10-30T18:55:06Z")

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64 bit raspbian os. no docker , no server on it at the moment  
just fresh install of os , node-red, mqtt.  
how do i see if there is a conflict with a miss installed node

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**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 19:00 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/7 "2023-10-30T19:00:24Z")

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> [@9toejack](#):
>
> how do i see if there is a conflict with a miss installed node

It won't be that.

Have you opened any ports in your router to allow access from the Internet?

Please post the contents of the file .node-red/package.json. that will show us the nodes you have installed.

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 19:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/8 "2023-10-30T19:12:52Z")

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yes on the ports. thats how i remote in  
untill i can figure out how to reverse proxy correctly.  
let me see about that file

im having troubles locating the file.

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 19:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/9 "2023-10-30T19:24:33Z")

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when i flashed the drive i had set hostname.  
this time I'm not setting the hostname incase that caused issues

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:01 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/10 "2023-10-30T20:01:46Z")

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> [@9toejack](#):
>
> yes on the ports. thats how i remote in

Do you mean you have opened port 1880? If so you have likely been hacked.

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**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:13 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/11 "2023-10-30T20:13:12Z")

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well stupid for someone to just hop in and delete my stuff.  
im redoing the os now.  
is there a way to change the port from 1880

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**Author:** ![marcus-j-davies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/marcus-j-davies/32/103435_2.png) [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/12 "2023-10-30T20:17:39Z")

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![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/c/3/c3e9567bdc9479a59a4ab0fe3d2734f4f3f01725.gif)

> [@9toejack](#):
>
> is there a way to change the port from 1880

I would start by not opening up **any** port, until its fully secured.  
Of course we don't know your setup - but this week has been rife with public Node RED instances being compromised

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:17 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/13 "2023-10-30T20:17:42Z")

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i had also secured the editor with login and password. on the last install. fyi

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![marcus-j-davies](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/marcus-j-davies/32/103435_2.png) [@marcus-j-davies](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/marcus-j-davies)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/14 "2023-10-30T20:19:18Z")

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More than most this week thankfully

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 20:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/15 "2023-10-30T20:21:22Z")

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but it was secured and i had everything disappear

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 21:21 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/16 "2023-10-30T21:21:27Z")

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Was it always secured? If not then did you completely rebuild the card? If not then you did not clear the infestation.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 21:24 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/17 "2023-10-30T21:24:44Z")

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originally no.  
but when using the raspbery pi imager, i completely erased the mainboard  
but i was selecting a localhost name instead of leaving blank.  
i have it secured for the editor. and i just completely erased sd card again and reinstalled again. this time i left "localhost" part alone.  
i did during install secure the dashboard editor.  
right now it seems ok. time will tell again.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 21:32 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/18 "2023-10-30T21:32:46Z")

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If you really can only work remotely and you are not ready to go down the Cloudflare route we previously discussed. I recommend installing NGROK which is easy enough to set up - just noting that the default used at least to be not using TLS and password - there is an example secure configuration for NGROK that I posted on the forum a long time back.

Then you have little need to expose your Pi until you have set up all the security you need.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![9toejack](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/9toejack/32/56868_2.png) [@9toejack](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/9toejack)\
**Post date:** [30 October 2023 21:50 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/19 "2023-10-30T21:50:35Z")

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the sad thing is i have cloudflare , i was trying to set it up and ngrok also nginx  
my mind is blown because most tutorials are for someone using docker,  
and i am not , i tried to use docker but my mind at this moment is fride, and its mostly my own fault!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [31 October 2023 10:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476/20 "2023-10-31T10:14:05Z")

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Don't use docker unless you have a good reason.

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/all-flows-gone-after-fresh-install/82476.md?page=2)