yet another "unable to complete version update" error

I've recently bought a new laptop and now I'm getting the "unable to complete version update [30419] [19901] [22]" upon launching.

I tried reinstalling, IE stuff and turning off my firewall, nothing works. Known workaround with logging under a different Microsoft account doesn't work also.

The strangest thing is that it keeps asking me to sign license agreement every time. This probably means there is some sort of file access issue, not a connection/firewall issue.
Tried running steam as admin, but no luck.

What could possibly be the problem and what else could I try?
I'm using Steam version on Windows 10.

Good Morning, and thank you for posting on the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

This kind of error stems from interference with the game data. While it is difficult to tell definitively what the issue is, we can offer a few suggestions they may solve your issue and get you back to enjoying the game:

Most of the time, it results from certain security/privacy changes on Internet Explorer. Other times it occurs when an application that is running in the background is causing interference, such as Anti-virus software, firewalls, media players, web browsers, etc.

Please make sure all background applications (including anti-virus programs such as Norton, Kaspersky, Windows Defender, etc.) have been disabled and/or closed to minimize game interference.

Ensure that the latest version of Internet Explorer is installed on your PC (even if you don't use Internet Explorer), please do not use Edge as that is a different internet platform. Once Internet Explorer is up-to-date, please open the IE browser, open the "Tools", go to "Internet Options" and adjust the following settings:
- Under the "General" tab, please delete ALL browser history.
- Under the "Security" tab, please move the slider to the lowest possible settings or no higher than "Medium"
- Under the "Privacy" tab, please move the slider to the lowest possible settings or to "Allow All Cookies"
- Under the "Advanced" tab, please make sure that "Allow software to run or install even if signature is invalid" is CHECKED.
- Make sure that all SSL and TLS (EXCEPT SSL 3.0) are CHECKED. [SSL 3.0 should be UNCHECKED]
- Hit "Apply" to save the settings, and then "OK, to close the Internet Options menu.
- Right-Click on the FFXIV launcher icon and select "Properties"
- Go to the "Compatibility" tab, and change the compatibility mode to "Windows 7"
- Hit "Apply", then "OK" to save the changes.
Please RESTART your PC now.
Once your PC has been restarted, Right-Click the FFXIV launcher icon once more and select "Run as Administrator"

If you are on a wireless connection, it is recommended that you use a wired connection with am ethernet cable. Additionally, you can try resetting the router by turning it off, disconnecting from your computer, then reconnecting and turning it back on.

If the suggestions provided above do not resolve the issue, then there is 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
54992 through 54994,
55006 through 55007,
55021 through 55040

*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 to FINAL FANTASY XIV.

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 them 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.

Please let us know if your issue gets resolved and what resolved it, so we can further assist other players. We hope we can be of assistance in helping you enjoy the exciting world of Final Fantasy XIV!

Thank you for the reply!

Sadly, adjusting IE and compatibility didn't help. Antivirus and windows defender are turned off.

Everything works perfectly on another laptop, so router or ISP shouldn't be the problem.
Haven't yet connected directly to the modem, though.

I also tried installing trial version as an experiment of sorts and it crashes with "C++ runtime error, abnormal program termination" message (no digit code).
Could I have some essential component missing?

I'll try analyzing launcher with event viewer and some tracing software later. Perhaps this will narrow the search.

Thank you for replying, sorry our solutions did not solve the issue.

If the game works fine on another laptop, then it may be something localized to that computer that is having the issue. Are there any major differences in the computers (Operating Systems, Connection types, brands/models)?

If you have not tried connecting directly into the modem or the Port Forwarding, I would still recommend those.

Can you provide the basic system specs of the PC you are having trouble with?

As for this "C++ runtime error, abnormal program termination" message, this may require you to reinstall the game. While doing this, don't just uninstall it from the Steam client, make sure to delete every Final Fantasy XIV file from your computer, then redownload everything. I've seen reinstalling fix the 'Unable to Complete Version Update' issue, however it's not a foolproof method.

Please let us know if one of these suggestions resolved your issue so we can better assist others who may run into the same thing.

I am still getting this error and it has been an ongoing thing dating back since 4.1.
I also get the C++ runtime error when I try to reinstall.
Thankfully I am able to play when I log into a different windows user account on the same PC.
Were you able to find a fix?

Nope, no fix yet. Didn't have time to try everything, though.

You can give this a try.

1. Find your Final Fantasy folder, you'll need to find a file named "ffxiv_boot.cfg". (sorry, I don't remember which subfolder specifically)
2. Open the file with Notepad or a similar program.
3. Find "Boot Version Check Mode". (There should be a zero next to it)
4. Change the 0 to a 1.
5. Save the file and restart your FFXIV launcher.

That didn't work either. :( As well as reinstalling the game.

Tried analyzing the login process with Fiddler (a debugging proxy).
After I sign the license agreement client tries to access frontier.ffxiv.com/version_4_0_win/index.html and I get this error:

SESSION STATE: Aborted.
Response Entity Size: 14685 bytes.

== FLAGS ==================
BitFlags: [None] 0x0
X-ABORTED-WHEN: SendingResponse
X-CLIENTIP: 127.0.0.1
X-CLIENTPORT: 63691
X-EGRESSPORT: 63693
X-HOSTIP: 124.150.157.190
X-PROCESSINFO: ffxivlauncher:9724
X-RESPONSEBODYTRANSFERLENGTH: 14,685

== TIMING INFO ============
ClientConnected: 19:28:40.286
ClientBeginRequest: 19:28:40.287
GotRequestHeaders: 19:28:40.287
ClientDoneRequest: 19:28:40.287
Determine Gateway: 0ms
DNS Lookup: 0ms
TCP/IP Connect: 307ms
HTTPS Handshake: 0ms
ServerConnected: 19:28:40.649
FiddlerBeginRequest: 19:28:40.649
ServerGotRequest: 19:28:40.649
ServerBeginResponse: 19:28:40.976
GotResponseHeaders: 19:28:40.977
ServerDoneResponse: 19:28:40.985
ClientBeginResponse: 19:28:40.985
ClientDoneResponse: 19:28:40.985

Overall Elapsed: 0:00:00.697
____________________________________________________________

I'm not sure what to make of this.
The client successfully reaches the server, the server responds, but then launcher/IE gets response and aborts operation? Seriously? :D

I guess it didn't like the response or some script was blocked?


Just in case: the box "Allow software to run or install even if signature is invalid" is checked (and I restarted PC after that :))


I'll try port forwarding tomorrow.

Thank you for the update Talassa,

I can't say I have any experience with this particular debugging program, but if something is being blocked along the way then I would recommend the port forwarding.

"TCP/IP Connect: 307ms" is something that stuck out to me though. This seems like a long time for something to connect, suggesting that something along the way is slowing down your connection (although this is probably something out of your hands).

Please let us know how the port forwarding goes and provide any other information you can. Thank you for your patience.