Launching to default configs and no character data

Either this is an uncommon issue or I'm ignorant of the correct term for what's happening because I can't find any reports of this elsewhere. In plain English, launching FF14 brings up a window with default configs all around (windowed/resolution, audio) and that asks me to pick a data center as if I'm playing for the first time.

https://files.catbox.moe/y9w1ck.png

My character data is still there in some form (https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodes...cter/43914403/) and I have a config backup if need be; the problem seems to be with retrieving it.
I'm playing on a Steam purchase - shocker - if it helps. Thanks.

Greetings Adventurer!

We would be happy to assist with your concern. It seems that this can sometimes occur when you are either playing the game for the first time on a new device or if the files on the computer were deleted. You would just need to log in and set up your preferred configurations once more. Additionally, if you have the configurations backed up already, you will just need to close the launcher and place this data in the appropriate FINAL FANTASY XIV folder. After loading the launcher again, all of your default settings should return to normal. If not, you may need to set these up once more.

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