This just worked for me as of 5/20/2017.
https://developers.google.com/speed/...dns/docs/using
Don't pay attention to the whole page, just scroll down to the Windows step by step instructions. Be sure to try both the IP4 and IP6 DNS settings. I tried IP4 first and it didn't work, but apparently my internet is based off the IP6, so if one doesn't work, try the other. To execute step 9, you don't have to restart your computer, just right click your internet connection in "Network Connections", click disable, then right click it again and click enable.
This may not work for everyone, but it's a hell of a lot faster than using a VPN, especially if you are downloading the whole game like I am.
I hope this helps people, but my main reason for coming here is to say how disappointed I am that this is still an issue. I had this issue either last year or two years ago, it's hard to remember, but it was in a different state (Texas vs. Iowa), with a different internet company (Comcast vs. some ghetto country internet), and on a different computer (Laptop vs. PC). Either I'm incredibly unlucky, or this issue is entirely on SE's side, and they refuse to acknowledge it and fix it. I love this game when I'm actually in it and playing it, so kudos to those people that handle those things. But to SE's technical people: get your shit together.