Can't even get into the game, crashes on update, and I can't log in with a character.

I'm very very agitated. Literal weeks ago this game was running fine, I was playing etc. I stop playing for 2 weeks, come back, and I make a Male Miqote (Gizmo Gearchanger). I Spent Twenty real, actual, hard earned, American Dollars *cont*

$20 for a story skip, and call it a night. the next morning, I go to play as him, I get a loading screen freeze, error 17. I look into it, dont find anything. I get frustrated and play something else. I come back later in the week and I have a launcher issue downloading 5.1. It was trying to download a patch from 2018. I call support, and nothing is done. eventually (a few days later) it works and I'm playing. I put it down, come back to it 2 weeks later and its fine, then my Viera gets issue 17 as well as my Miqo. I uninstall fully and re install TWICE and I can't even get into the game to play at all, thanks to the same launcher issue that never got resolved. I call this morning, I get sent some suggestions from support, try them, no dice. Uninstall re install nothing.
What do I do? This has been beyond frustrating, as this game has worked so well without issue for so long and it decides now to act up? I'm at a loss, and completely dumbfounded, and angered.

Are you using the new launcher or the old one? You can still use the old one--as far as I know the new one still has issues.

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

What troubleshooting have you tried besides reinstalling the game?

Can you submit a Final Fantasy XIV system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display.'

We hope we can be of assistance in helping you enjoy the exciting world of Final Fantasy XIV!

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

Due to no response from the original poster, this thread will be moved to 'Closed Concerns.' If anyone is still having this particular problem, please create a new thread and we will assist you in any way we can.

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.