Cannot Connect to Playonline, Error code:POL-0206

[Hegmo]

Update:

I spoke with Joy from the support team today.

Joy confirmed that the account was registered properly. Joy confirmed that there is no network issue by performing a trace from her end after confirming that my Traceroute showed no network issues. She then suggested that I subscribe to the game despite being served a network error code which I received previously during the free trial period and then abruptly ended the chat when I asked why I was receiving a network error and not an inactive subscription or other error (despite free login being active).

[Hegmo]

I spoke with 5 different agents today, Joy > Alli > Angelo > Dess and eventually Lead Ariana.

I was told that there is no resolution to this issue.

We tested network connectivity using traceroutes in both direction and by connecting to POL and the game from my brothers account to illustrate that the network environment and device can connect to POL and to the game nd the support team confirmed that regardless of receiving an POL-0206 network error, that there was no indication of network configuration issue.

We also confirmed that the account registration appears to be correct and there were no steps missing in creating the POLID, etc.

The only recommendation I received from support was to try purchasing a subscription to the game to see if that would resolve the network issue. This does not make much sense to me as the issue existed while an active subscription was applied to the account, and that the error code received was not an error code associated with account access or subscription, but one specifically with network connectivitiy issues.


When asked what the future steps would be should I subscribe and it does not magically resolve the issue, I was told I could:

1) wait a few days (in excess of the ~342 days since initial issue was reported)
2) Conduct Network Tests (repeat the same network tests we had done moments prior for some reason)

When asked if there were any further escallations we could make or tests we could run I was told that there was absolutely nothing else to do except repeat the same canned responses for eternity.

If anyone else has experienced this issue or something similar, or if there is an official moderator or representative from the dev team that could perhaps provide insight as to why my copy of the game, which I paid for, cannot access the game servers, I would greatly appreciate it some additional support in finding a solution.

[Dragoy]

The error codes are... a suggestion at best. Just as the Windows errors in general are I believe.

I got

Error code: POL-0001
An unexpected problem occurred.
Persistent problems can be reported
from Service & Support.

today or so, when trying to log in on a character that was not paid for, but got freebied for, while I had not been back to the PlayOnline Viewer yet.

If you can log in on one account on a clean install, and not on another, there is something wrong with another.

Not sure how you could escalate it more though. :\

If they can offer a free subscription, only then I would try that option (again).

Still, I'd suggest you keep trying. I have personally had only good experiences with the support (only e-mail, never chat), but I never had too big troubles (one example being un-linking the physical security token which had its battery die after only 13 years... dang).

[Votraftur]

Good morning and thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XI. For us to better assist you, please respond with the following information:

Are you using a VPN?
Are you using a wired or wireless connection?
Does the issue occur with one character or multiple characters?
At what point do you get disconnected and/or are unable to connect?
How often does the issue occur?

Are you using the standalone launcher?
Where did you download the game files from?
What Drive did you install the game files on?

Internet Service Provider:
Region/State:

If possible, would you be able to test if you may log on using a free trial account instead?

*Please note, Proxy servers and satellite connections do not work correctly with FINAL FANTASY XI.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

[Hegmo]

Hi Votraftur, I've provided responses below in the quote, I've done most of this troubleshooting with the chat supoprt and we have verified that there is not a network issue. To reiterate - my brother plays the game and when he logs in with his credentials he is able to log in to his account on his PC and on my PC, when I try to log on I am immediately disconnected with error 0206. Support has confirmed previously that my account was registered properly and that my network connection is stable via a traceroute and by my brother accessing playonline on my PC (effectively the same process as using a trial account)

Good morning and thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XI. For us to better assist you, please respond with the following information:

Are you using a VPN? No
Are you using a wired or wireless connection? Wired
Does the issue occur with one character or multiple characters? This issue occurs with only one ACCOUNT - I cannot create a character because I cannot connect to PlayOnline specifically with this account
At what point do you get disconnected and/or are unable to connect? On logging in to Playonline, I select my user, enter my credentials including SEID and POLID, and I am immediately served a network error code POL-0206
How often does the issue occur? 100% of the time. every time since I purchased the account and initially attempted to log in to the game

Are you using the standalone launcher? I am using the playonline launcher for FFXI that is included in the download
Where did you download the game files from? playonline.com
What Drive did you install the game files on? my primary C: drive

Internet Service Provider: Spectrum
Region/State: Texas

If possible, would you be able to test if you may log on using a free trial account instead? We have confirmed that it is not a device or network environment issue, my brother has a working account and is able to log in to his playonline account on my computer as a guest, but I am unable to log in to mine

*Please note, Proxy servers and satellite connections do not work correctly with FINAL FANTASY XI.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

[Votraftur]

Good morning and thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Forums.

We apologize for any inconvenience experienced when trying to play Final Fantasy XI. For us to better assist you, please respond with the following information:
What Platform are you using? (Steam/Windows/etc.)
What Platform is your brother using?

At what point does the issue occur?
Have you ever been able to log onto FINAL FANTASY XI?

Are you running any additional programs alongside Final Fantasy XI?

All steps taken to resolve the issue:

If possible, would you be able to try removing the local files to wipe the login details and try again? Please navigate to 'Program Files(x86)' > 'PlayOnline' > 'SQUARE ENIX' > 'FINAL FANTASY XI' > 'USER' and copy this 'USER' folder so it may be stored elsewhere as a backup. Once complete, proceed to remove sub folders out of this main folder one by one (Not the backup) so you may determine if there may be corrupt files.

Alternatively, we may recommend removing the folder completely and performing a file check from the PlayOnline Viewer so the client may recreate/restore this folder. Please be advised that removing the 'USER' folder will also remove any macros that may have been created.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

[Dragoy]

It would appear to me that all of the information requested (again) is already available in this thread.

Few additional observations:

If possible, would you be able to try removing the local files to wipe the login details and try again? Please navigate to 'Program Files(x86)' > 'PlayOnline' > 'SQUARE ENIX' > 'FINAL FANTASY XI' > 'USER' and copy this 'USER' folder so it may be stored elsewhere as a backup. Once complete, proceed to remove sub folders out of this main folder one by one (Not the backup) so you may determine if there may be corrupt files.

I believe the path referred to here may actually be

'Program Files(x86)' > 'SquareEnix' > 'FINAL FANTASY XI' > 'USER'

where

'Program Files(x86)'

could be anything else chosen during the installation process.

Furthermore, per information provided in this topic, the issue already happens when logging in to PlayOnline, so FINAL FANTASY XI probably doesn't even need to be installed and this path would not exist.

Instead, I believe that what might be referred to here and be relevant, is the PlayOnline user information which is stored under the PlayOnlineViewer path.

There was also a mention of logging in as a guest, though I think only for the account that is functional.

I imagine that also fails for the account that is not functional?

As a sidey-note, I thought of something new to try: what happens if that account tries to log in to the Friend List Plus?

You can find this link on the left side of the PlayOnline website:

https://secure.playonline.com/polplusus/friendlist/login.html