Error Code: FFXI - 3101

[ReiK]

I am running a standalone version of the game.

[Dragoy]

Experiencing persistent error 3101 when attempting to log into FFXI. Message pops up after I hit accept to the terms.

Does the error happen immediately after hitting the button, or is it having a think while the text says "Connection to lobby server." for example, or does it say something else after that, too?

Also what is the exact message in addition to the error code?

Just to be sure, you're not waiting for the opening cutscene to play before it, right? :]

The connection is lost after like 2 minutes in, which is great!

That does result in a different error code though:

Error code: POL-0512
Connection terminated or not available.
Please try connecting again later or check cables, networking devices, and network settings.

Here it is with redacted info but the IP addresses are intact.

Tracing route to a1514.g.akamai.net [23.221.236.209]
over a maximum of 30 hops:

1 <1 ms <1 ms <1 ms [redacted]
2 11 ms 10 ms 13 ms [comcast node] [96.120.67.137]
3 12 ms 12 ms 11 ms [comcast node] [24.124.213.65]
4 11 ms 11 ms 10 ms [comcast node] [96.110.21.45]
5 15 ms 13 ms 16 ms [comcast node] [96.110.21.85]
6 14 ms 15 ms 14 ms [comcast node] [162.151.52.33]
7 15 ms 14 ms 16 ms [comcast node] [50.150.84.82]
8 14 ms 19 ms 12 ms [akamai node] [23.197.87.21]
9 14 ms 14 ms 13 ms [akamai node] [23.197.87.9]
10 13 ms 16 ms 14 ms [akamai node] [23.197.87.25]
11 14 ms 14 ms 14 ms [akamai node] [23.221.199.193]
12 15 ms 13 ms 14 ms [akamai node] [23.221.236.209]

I believe the lobby server address (at least for me right now) is:

124.150.154.122

I don't think the route will be traceable all the way to the end, but can try and see how far you get.

It ends at different 219.117.145.x addresses for me right now.

It will respond to 'ping', however.

If I block said IP, I'll get error:

Error code: FFXI-3100
Could not connect to lobby server.

A few possible other addresses that are connected to after that while "Setting up PlayOnline active content.", though I suppose you're not getting that far:

202.67.54.159
202.67.54.161
202.67.54.171

Similar thing with ping and traceroute, or tracert.

Also a very different error code when blocked:

Error code: POL-0011
The network is busy or there is no response from the server.  Please try again later or verify that cables, networking devices, and network settings are properly configured.

Would be interesting to know if the same problem occurs when using a whole different device though might of course be very unfeasible (or/and operating system which of course is not officially supported, and might be even less feasible, but it works for me).

Just some quick thoughts.

Best of luck with solving the mystery!

Clear Session: If your character is stuck in an "online" state on the server, use the Clear Session tool on your Square Enix account page.

Did your google just hallucinate a Clear Session tool on the Square Enix account page?

Perhaps it's just very well hidden, or I'm very well blind. :]

(Them "AI" things are so "great" and so much "fun"...)

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

We understand the frustration this matter may cause.

Please confirm if you have tried the following troubleshooting steps below:

- Within Microsoft Edge, click the "Settings" option on the top right of the browser (under the three dots shown) and go to "Privacy, Search and Services" and go to the "Tracking Prevention" section. Make sure it is turned on and select the "Balanced" option

- Additionally, if any settings have been changed overall, it is best to keep things at default which you can perform manually by using the "Reset Settings" option under the "Settings" tab. Lastly, please ensure that Microsoft Edge is up to date by using the "Settings" > "About Microsoft Edge" option near the bottom left.

I understand that you folks need to work on both, FFXI and FFXIV, and who knows what else, but I really fail to see what Microsoft Edge has to do with Final Fantasy XI Online connecting to the lobby server.

This seems a copy-paste bit intended for Final Fantasy XIV, although I seriously doubt these settings affect that either, even though its launcher unfortunately does use some components that the Edge browser uses as well, but I believe the launcher handles that part too... or I'm getting a lot more worried about how that thing is being built than what I have been before already...

Perhaps this is aimed at problems with using the website(s)?

- Try to set to a Borderless Window.

- If the suggestions provided above do not resolve the issue, there may be a communication error.

Check the following Port Ranges on your router/modem to ensure that the following Port Ranges have been opened/forwarded/triggered:

TCP - 25, 80, 110, 443, 50000-65535
UDP - 53, 50000-65535

*You may learn how to do this by visiting http://www.portforward.com/
Find your specific router's brand and model number from the 'List of Routers' and you will be provided a step-by-step guide on how to access these port settings. Otherwise, your ISP may forward these ports for you.*

If you have properly configured your router, and you are still experiencing these issues, our next suggestion is to bypass the router, and connect your computer directly to your modem. Please ensure that you power down both the modem and the computer for at least five minutes before attempting to connect.

Missed a spot. :]

Is there really no separate documentation for XI and XIV to copy from?

Very worrisome indeed.

If you continue to receive these same errors when you are connected directly to the modem, then the problem lies with your ISP. We would recommend contacting your provider and advising them that one or more of the ports previously provided to you are being blocked or filtered, and that you do need access on these ports.

- Additionally please provide a tracert for us to check.

A 'tracert' to which address?

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

Hey yay, at least two occurrences of XIV got replaced. :]

Thank you!

[ReiK]

The exact error code is "Error code: FFXI-3101 Transmission error with lobby server," which happens immediately after hitting "I Agree." When I hit OK on the error message, I'm immediately kicked back to the FFXI menu.

I have removed the intro cutscene via the FFXI config.

I installed the game onto another computer with the same results. I'm currently installing the game on a Windows 10 computer because I am out of ideas. I honestly feel it's a permission mismatch on my end because I sat on the phone with my ISP for over an hour yesterday without success.

The only real odd thing in this whole situation is when I did a test ping, it showed 100% packet loss but when I pinged PlayOnline, no packet loss. I even went so far as to do a tracert on 202.67.54.128. Desperation was real lol.

Thank you again for helping me as best you can, I really appreciate this.

[ReiK]

Got it to work on a Windows 10 laptop. Now I know it's a Windows 11 issue

[Alhanelem]

Did your google just hallucinate a Clear Session tool on the Square Enix account page?

Perhaps it's just very well hidden, or I'm very well blind. :]

(Them "AI" things are so "great" and so much "fun"...)

Admittedly, I'm not familiar with this either. I think the AI is conflating something else present on the page with its source material. It would certainly be nice if we could fix those sorts of issues where we can't log in because our character is stuck logged in ourselves though....

That being said, all the other stuff is applicable and has been discussed here before.

[Pudringchumenes]

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

I apologize that the previous steps didn't fix the issue. I understand how frustrating this is, and I appreciate your patience.

Let's see if these troubleshooting steps resolves the issue:

Enable DirectPlay: Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Start menu, expand Legacy Components, and ensure DirectPlay is checked.

Configure Firewall Exceptions: Ensure "PlayOnline Viewer" and its entire folder system are added as exceptions in your Windows Firewall.

Check Open Ports: Verify that the following ports are open for incoming traffic on your router:

TCP: 25, 80, 110, 443, and 50000–65535
UDP: 53 and 50000–65535

Use a VPN: In cases of ISP routing issues, using a different server node via a VPN can sometimes bypass unstable network paths.

Clear Session: If you suspect your character is stuck, use the Clear Session tool on your SQUARE ENIX account page.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please post again in the technical support forums.

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

[ReiK]

I have done all these things without success. Yet with a Windows 10 system, I was able to log into the game. That being said, I can confirm it's not my ISP. I believe it to be some security issue on Windows 11.

[Dragoy]

Got it to work on a Windows 10 laptop. Now I know it's a Windows 11 issue

Progress!

I had a case of deja vu (/me queues up the Initial D track) about this, and indeed, there was someone else having the same problem from the looks of it not that long ago:

Error 3101 is keeping me out of the game. I just came back after a year.

Unresolved, still, though, and recently locked.

I have done all these things without success. Yet with a Windows 10 system, I was able to log into the game. That being said, I can confirm it's not my ISP. I believe it to be some security issue on Windows 11.

That does seem like a potentially probable possibility to me too, but I've never really used Windows 11 and don't have too much insight on that.

Generally the administrator account in Windows land should be enough in a default set-up, though I never really understood why a game would need such privileges, but well, just Windows things I maybe guess.

Something I might try myself, would be setting up a non-administrator user account if the current one is an admin account, and try if that behaves exactly the same.

I might try and see if I can trigger this on a virtual machine or something, if I find the time. I only use Linux since 2010, and my older machines around might not even be able to run Windows 11, so a VM would be the only option really I suppose.

Admittedly, I'm not familiar with this either. I think the AI is conflating something else present on the page with its source material. It would certainly be nice if we could fix those sorts of issues where we can't log in because our character is stuck logged in ourselves though....

That being said, all the other stuff is applicable and has been discussed here before.

Generally applicable, sure, but perhaps not for this particular issue...

I'm also sceptical about the 'Multiboxing Conflicts' bit it suggested, but I certainly can not say it /can not/ a possible especially for those who use third-parties to enable 6 or more at once, and if they were to connect all at the same time... maybe something could get into a knot.

And indeed, it could be a neat feature to have, but at least normally the character-already-online issue clears out in a minute or two, when it gets kicked out.

I think I'd rather wait it out than log in to the account management system for it.

I also doubt it would help with the cases where a character is stuck in a loading area, so to speak, for a longer while of which we see reports of from time to time.

Had that happen a few times overall I think, and changing IP helps with that, if possible. If I remember right-like.

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XI Technical Support Forums!

I apologize that the previous steps didn't fix the issue. I understand how frustrating this is, and I appreciate your patience.

Let's see if these troubleshooting steps resolves the issue:

Enable DirectPlay: Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" in the Start menu, expand Legacy Components, and ensure DirectPlay is checked.

Configure Firewall Exceptions: Ensure "PlayOnline Viewer" and its entire folder system are added as exceptions in your Windows Firewall.

Check Open Ports: Verify that the following ports are open for incoming traffic on your router:

TCP: 25, 80, 110, 443, and 50000–65535
UDP: 53 and 50000–65535

Use a VPN: In cases of ISP routing issues, using a different server node via a VPN can sometimes bypass unstable network paths.

Clear Session: If you suspect your character is stuck, use the Clear Session tool on your SQUARE ENIX account page.

If you have any more questions or concerns, please post again in the technical support forums.

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

I often wonder if these replies are automated at least to some extent.

It seems like there is no human reviewing the topic at all due to the amount of repeating things that even fellow "moderators" have already repeated.

- DirectPlay has been mentioned in four (4) separate posts now.
- The port ranges have been mentioned three (3) times.
- Firewall four (4) times.
- VPN has been suggested three (3) times now. After the second time it was confirmed it has been tried too.

The fact that this one adds the mysterious "Clear Session tool" into the mix, has me almost convinced that these are coming from, or at least going through an "AI".

/em shakes his head in disappointment.

Just some feedback. :]

I do appreciate that we have /some/ official presence here still, though that appreciation is certainly waning.

[VoiceMemo]

Good you can login on windows 10. Would you mind posting your windows 11 edition and OS build information so that perhaps can find what is causing it on windows 11? I run ffxi on windows 11 and do not see any issues.

[Alhanelem]

I often wonder if these replies are automated at least to some extent.

They're not automated. They don't post in every thread or on every issue. They're tech support people, they just follow the troubleshooting steps available to them and you can't fault them for that. I have done it myself and you're not supposed to deviate from standard procedure.

You can always try filing a ticket on the support site if you haven't, but if you've tried multiple different server nodes in different locations on a VPN I'm pretty much at a loss.