Error 1012 An Update is required when there are no updates

I have had this problem twice now and it seems the only way to fix it is to reinstall your game client. However it takes me 5 hours to download the patch and i haven't been able to find a recent version of the game for download. (to use as a stepping off point and reduce the size of the patch required)

I have however found a method of short cutting the solution as follows:

Before you start, run the launcher and backup your settings (better safe than sorry)

1. locate your client install directory (for example c:/games/squareenix/final fantasy xiv - a realm reborn/)
2. rename your client install directory to something like "backup"
3. run the installer and UNINSTALL the client
4. run the installer and INSTALL the client again (it helps if you install it in the same location you uninstalled it from)
5. locate your new install directory
6. rename the new install directory to something like "new install" (take note of the folder name before renaming as your about to use it)
7. move the old install directory (now called "backup" or whatever u called it) to the same location (unless you used the same location when you reinstalled)
8. rename the "backup" directory with the name from step 6.
9. run the game and everything should be copacetic.

Let me know if this works for you

I know this is an ancient post, but it's one of the first results in google for this issue.

This worked perfectly for me, and it completely bypasses the forever-and-a-half patching you need to do.

Just to make the steps look shorter, you just need to enter your Square Enix folder and rename the ARR folder with Backup (or anything that makes it different) at the end; uninstall it, which will take no time, install to the same directory, also taking no time. Rename that new folder in a similar way to the original, and then restore the original name to the original folder. You should then be safe to delete the new folder. Voila, the issue should be gone. :)