[FFXI-4002] Connection Lost Every Three Minutes

[Chilloa]

Problem solved! Solution below!

So I've been playing this game since '04 and I thought I've seen every error code, all in which I have fixed, but this one just stumps me. I had no problem playing yesterday, last week, or even last month but today after three minutes of playing I get the red Disconnecting Icon followed by the error code FFXI-4002, sometimes 4001, and then POL-0250, the usual Disconnection error. I've tried resetting the router (D-Link, DIR-615), my PC, and for the off chance that it may have been Playonline I tried uninstalling / reinstalling that. Has anyone figured out how to solve this and could help me get it working again? I've even Googled what others have tried but most threads end in failure.

I would call SE Customer Service but it's Friday and I'm pretty sure they're closed for the weekend. (Could anyone verify this? I'm going off of when I last called support in '06 and I can't seem to find a number or email address.)

Thanks in advanced for any help you can give me, freaking out cause I have a LS event on Sunday and can't figure out what's wrong lol. I'll be happy to provide any additional information!


My Solution

Problem solved! Thanks to a lot of help from Hempknight, yes the Cheese Sandwich creator, I solved the problem. For those of you with this problem this is what I did, no guarantee that it'll work for anyone else :

Temp. fixes:
A) Unplug your router and hook up your computer straight into your Modem. Yes, this will disable WiFi for everyone else who's using the router you unplugged but at least you'll be able to play for the time being! Note: If this doesn't work, then the problem lies either with SE or your ISP.

B) In your Routers config settings, enable DMZ hosting. Setting the IP address of your computer. Note: This is dangerous and would not make it your first option. For more information google what exactly DMZ hosting is.

Permanent fix: (Again this just worked for me, I'm not saying this is the only solution because I didn't have to explore other permanent options)
*Buy another router. My old one was a cheap piece of crap that needed to be replaced and it was the reason why I was getting this particular error.

So those were my fixes, I'm going to close this thread in the coming days. I'll wait to see if anyone has anything else to add besides my suggestions or SEs advice. Hope this will help a few other people having this issue, I know I couldn't find anything online pertaining to this with a solution.

[Kaelii]

Same here.. this has been happening for the last three days, since September 6.

I log in just fine, but after three to five minutes I get the red disconnect symbol of death, and then the Error: FFXI-4002 message that the connection has timed out. I have tried everything including cycling the modem, and nothing seems to work.

Please help!

[Chilloa]

Unfortunately I missed my LS event today and I still haven't got this figured out. I called my Internet Provider and had them reset my modem, along with doing a hard reset of it myself. Then I double checked that my firewall isn't blocking it at FFXI at all and it wasn't. So I'm pretty much convinced that the problem isn't on my side. I'll try to contact SE tomorrow with hopes that they know of a way to fix this. I'll let you know what they tell me Kaelii.

[Chilloa]

I can't seem to find the customer service phone number or web chat. Anyone have a direct link to those? I can find the link to emailing them, and I did email them, but I would prefer trying to contact them directly.

[Feynman]

I have yet to find the magic combination of things that actually lets the web chat be and option in the contact information. I recently used the following number to get in touch with SE. Ancient from my old PS2 FFXI users manual! But it still works. 858-790-7529. Sorry I can't link to it as I only have it on paper. But I'm not pranking you I swear!

[SE_James]

Chilloa,

We can offer a few suggestions if you are experiencing any of the following:
• Have difficulty connecting to or staying connected to the PlayOnline Viewer or FINAL FANTASY XI
• Crash, receive a black screen error, or get stuck at the downloading data screen upon clicking your character handle or character select button
• See your the lag meter turn red
• Encounter increased lag or connection problems near crowed areas
• Have trouble accessing specific zone(s)
• Have trouble logging in with specific character(s)
• Receive any of these errors: 3113, 3100, 4001, 1160

Suggestions:
1. Check to make sure you have properly configured or turned off any of the following: Routers, Proxy Servers, NAT Servers, Internet Connection Sharing services.
2. If you are using any kind of software/hardware Internet Sharing service/device the following ports need INCOMING access to your PC: TCP 1024 - 65535, UDP 53, and 50000 - 65535. Also, check to make sure that the ports mentioned are not blocked by your ISP for INCOMING access. Proper configuration of any of the above items mentioned should be done by following the instructions in the software/hardware manual or calling the manufacturer's technical support.
3. If you are using a router, and have configured that router for port forwarding, temporarily bypass that router and connect directly to the modem.

Please take note of the following:
• Proxy servers, and satellite connections are not supported and do not work correctly with FINAL FANTASY XI.
• Your router may require that you use a PC to configure your network settings. For more information about how to configure your network settings, please refer to the instruction manual that came with your router or contact the manufacturer directly.
• If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) specifies a DNS server, you need to make sure to configure your settings to allow packets to pass through UDP Port 53 as well. For more information, please refer to the instruction manual for your router or the information provided by your ISP.

[Chilloa]

So I did all that was suggested in SE_James post, and I still get the 4002/1 error.

Thanks for the number btw Feynman! PS2 Manual FTW! I'll give them a call tomorrow and see if they say the same thing that was posted here. Otherwise I'm gonna go out and buy another Router to see if that's the problem, I've been having problems with my current one since day one anyway.

[Feynman]

Yeah, if only you knew how long I had to look for the stupid thing!

[Chilloa]

Alright so today I've narrowed down the problem a little bit. I unplugged my router from my modem and plugged one of my PCs in directly to the modem using a cable. This has gotten rid of the error code and I can continue playing. Of course now the rest of the house doesn't get WiFi but at least I can get on FFXI for the time being.

So now I know that the problem doesn't have anything to do with, obviously, SE or my ISP. I'll purchase a new router in the following days when I get paid and see if that completely fixes it. /fingers crossed

[Chilloa]

I fixed my problem with this error code, with help from a friend in game. I put my solution in the first post. Hope it helps others, if only one other person! Will close the topic in a few days, others can post any other suggestions.