Unplayable since 4.4

I wanted to make my own thread since the last one hasn't gotten any attention and hasn't been moved to the accepted bugs section.

Ever since the release of 4.4 there has been an error that first occurs when loading into a specific instance. It seems to be different for everyone under different conditions. For some people it seems to be isolated to instances they may not visit regularly. However, for others it is town areas rendering the game unplayable past the loading screen.

The errors persist upon full re-installation of the game and wiping of local game files.

The errors persist regardless of drivers ( new or old ) & DirectX versions.

The errors persist regardless of the Compatibility Mode being set to Windows 7 ( or any other setting. )

The errors persist upon changing graphical options in the client.

The errors persist whether or not there is any overclocking present.

The errors persist with overlays turned off.

The errors persist no matter what drive the game is installed on.

The errors persist in Fullscreen, in Borderless Windowed and in Windowed.

The errors persist on both DX11

https://i.imgur.com/UYkQ4iF.jpg


and DX9


https://i.imgur.com/IA9MHCv.jpg

Some additional notes on the matter. Sometimes there are multiple error boxes, and the order of the error stack seems to change depending on the client however the one thing that remains consistent is the existence of KERNEL32.dll and NTdll.dll. See these posts by other users.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Chimeric

I can't remember whether this error in the middle's popped up before; it's usually been a succession of 3 or 4 error windows that pop over the top of each other.

http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/r...psiiosfjsm.png

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sarina_Kit

Having the same issue here.

Errors:
DX11 -> https://puu.sh/ByrDf/6690ab7ea4.png

DX9 -> https://puu.sh/ByrFi/d257f384b2.png

---

It has been two weeks since I've been able to properly launch the game, and paying for a game that I cannot access isn't something I'm very keen on especially considering the lack of support this has been getting. I consider myself lucky that I'm not a raider as that experience would've been completely ruined by the lack of progress on the issue and moreover as a FC leader this has been extremely frustrating to deal with on multiple levels. So if there are any updates on this particular bug please update us.


-=-=-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-=-=-

SYSTEM_OS Windows 10 Home 64-bit (6.2, Build 9200) (17134.rs4_release.180410-1804)
SYSTEM_CPU AMD FX(tm)-4300 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.8GHz
SYSTEM_CORE_NUM SYSTEM_CORE_LOGIC 4 SYSTEM_CORE_PHYSICS 2
SYSTEM_BIOS Default System BIOS
SYSTEM_LANGUAGE English (Regional Setting: English)
SYSTEM_MEMORY 16367.234MB
SYSTEM_VIRTUAL_MEMORY 134217727.875MB
SYSTEM_PAGE_FILE 20329.000MB
SYSTEM_STORAGE C:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 1862.089GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 479.970GB
SYSTEM_STORAGE D:\ SYSTEM_HARDDISK_DRIVE SYSTEM_TOTALDISC_SPACE 232.884GB SYSTEM_FREEDISC_SPACE 12.316GB
SYSTEM_DIRECTX_VERSION DirectX 12
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DEVICE \\.\DISPLAY1
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_CHIP GeForce GTX 970
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_MAKER NVIDIA
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VRAM 4043.500 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_SHARED_VRAM 8183.617 MB
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DAC Integrated RAMDAC
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DISPLAY_MODE 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_cad5fc8f5ca41c15\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_cad5fc8f5ca41c15\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_cad5fc8f5ca41c15\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispi.inf_amd64_cad5fc8f5ca41c15\nvldumdx.dll
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_VERSION 24.21.0014.1163
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_DATE 9/17/2018 20:00:00
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_PIXEL_SHADER 3.0
SYSTEM_GRAPHICS_VERTEX_TEXTURE SYSTEM_SUPPORT
SYSTEM_SOUND Speakers (G933 Artemis Spectrum Snow)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {26ABBBB1-C033-47B3-9549-4B765BD6B5E9}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME USBAUDIO.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.02.17134.0001
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 4/11/2018 00:00:00
SYSTEM_SOUND Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_ID {635C384B-74CC-4DBD-8886-22DAC696787A}
SYSTEM_SOUND_DEVICE_NAME RTKVHD64.sys
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_VERSION 6.00.0001.7246
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_LANGUAGE English
SYSTEM_SOUND_DRIVER_DATE 5/14/2014 00:00:00
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B60-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Mouse
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 8 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {6F1D2B61-D5A0-11CF-BFC7444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Keyboard
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 128 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F415ACC0-6201-11E7-8003444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME G933 Artemis Spectrum Snow
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F41621F0-6201-11E7-8004444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME G933 Artemis Spectrum Snow
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F4151080-6201-11E7-8001444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 573 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F4169720-6201-11E7-8007444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 3 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F416BE30-6201-11E7-8008444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F416E540-6201-11E7-8009444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Razer BlackWidow Ultimate
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 1 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F4153790-6201-11E7-8002444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME Gaming Mouse G600
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0
SYSTEM_INPUT {F4167010-6201-11E7-8006444553540000}
SYSTEM_INPUT_NAME G933 Artemis Spectrum Snow
SYSTEM_INPUT_REMARKS SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_AXIS 0 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_BUTTON 2 SYSTEM_GAMEPAD_FOV 0

Have you tried the new patch (4.41)? It fixed the issues for me. Hopefully it has done the same for you. Best of luck. :)

EDIT: Nevermind. Issue seems back, but not nearly as bad.

I haven't reinstalled since 4.41 but I still have the same error. Those screenshots were taken today.

I actually ended up just crashing again because of the same issue. Everything was fine all day, but Upper La Noscea still seems to give me the same issue despite the Gold Saucer and such having been just fine.

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

I know I've spoken to you previously Galaticus, so I apologize if anything I say sounds redundant or if I suggest something you've tried already.

First, you mentioned that it first occurred when loading into a specific instance. Which instance was that?

Normally, updating your graphics card can help alleviate the issue. However for some graphics cards, it might be beneficial to revert them. Try doing a clean install of an older version of your graphics card drivers.

Remove any overclock that may be present on any part of your PC (this includes any factory overclocks on your GPU).

Have the game installed on the C drive if it is not already.

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

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Einmimiria

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

I know I've spoken to you previously Galaticus, so I apologize if anything I say sounds redundant or if I suggest something you've tried already.

First, you mentioned that it first occurred when loading into a specific instance. Which instance was that?

Normally, updating your graphics card can help alleviate the issue. However for some graphics cards, it might be beneficial to revert them. Try doing a clean install of an older version of your graphics card drivers.

Remove any overclock that may be present on any part of your PC (this includes any factory overclocks on your GPU).

Have the game installed on the C drive if it is not already.

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

---

I tried that as well, and it doesn't work. I'll add it to my post. The instances are Rhalgr's Reach and The Lochs mind you I cannot even manage to get past a loading screen but I'm pretty sure considering the posts by other people there are other places that are affected as well.

Thank you for the update Galaticus.

I apologize that I haven't gotten back to you sooner. I'd like to gather some more information about your graphics card. I'll forward this information so it can be looked into, however I can't guarantee this will fix the issue.

Specifically, what graphics card are you using (I see you posted a system report, but I would like the full name and manufacturer of it as well)? How long have you been using it and has it sustained any physical damage (to your knowledge).

It also looks like there is a new driver version for your graphics card. I'd like you to try that one and see if anything changes (even if you are still receiving the error.

Thank you for your patience and understanding on this matter.

I have tried the new driver update just a half hour ago and I confirm that doesn't work. Its an EVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC GAMING ACX 2.0. I've had it quite awhile there are some slight problems with it.. but nothing that has prevented me from playing the game the night before the patch. Furthermore.. I have no issues in any other games that have released after 4.4 or before. FFXIV is the only game giving me errors like these. There seems to be a trend that something involved with the patch started a majority of these issues. I did some research earlier and found that errors like these were addressed in a patch eventually. ( While still there wasn't much help on the official forum from GMs communicating that it was being looked into. ) I just want to make sure that staff is aware that it is happening again.

Thank you for the update Galaticus.

Can you clarify what you mean by "there are some slight problems with it"? Have you experienced any kind of graphical glitches or sub par performance in other games? I'm not trying to suggest that your GPU is damaged, I'm just trying to gather as much information as possible. I apologize for any redundancy in my questions.

About how many years have you had the 970?

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

I've had it for 4 or 5 years. Its complicated. I have to manually set the GPU clock and power state through NVidia Inspector. It seems like if it runs at normal voltage it'll lose connection to the MB- meaning the computer runs but the display blanks out. Generally I just manually set it to run at 760MHz. Which doesn't produce any graphical anomalies. This isn't a recent thing. I've had my GPU set up this way since the launch of Stormblood if not earlier. It actually has zero problems in any other games and still hits pretty hard. Few examples. Ring of Elysium, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, Overwatch.. etc.. all work fine and are DX11 games. It is just a tad slower than it used to be but otherwise works fine. My frame rates in FFXIV were around 60 with maxed out settings. I highly doubt my graphics card is at fault. Seeing as the game only crashes when I loaded into specific areas. The game seems to run the same as usual until I hit those areas.

Thank you for the update Galaticus.

It does seem that your GPU has some abnormalities. I wouldn't go so far to say it's damaged or that it can't play games (it obviously can). However, that doesn't mean it's fit for every single situation or game. You'll have no problems in some games, but have crashes and anomalies in others. Unfortunately, this makes the error difficult to troubleshoot.

I know that you wanted this to be escalated, however, I feel there is little we would be able to do from this side. Your GPU works a bit differently than others so implementing a fix might not resolve your issue. I will do my best with the information you've given me already though.

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

In nobodies solution to this problem has replacing the GPU resulted in the issue being resolved. The only thing I've heard that has fixed it for some people is redownloading the game multiple times and hoping that it eventually works. Given the other solutions such as deleting local data sometimes working it would be probably a lot more likely it has something to do with some sort of file corruption rather than something to do with the GPU. I'm not one to tell you how to do your job, but you should be giving me good reasons as to why these solutions work rather than trying to claim because my GPU has some wear that it has to be culprit of the problem.

Thank you for the reply Galaticus.

I apologize if some of my suggestions or reasoning wasn't clear. Let me explain the error and how I try to go about resolving it.

The error you received is a driver crash. Unfortunately, that is a rather vague error because it doesn't tell us exactly what caused the crash, only that it crashed. Due to that vague quality, we have to suggest a number of things that might be causing it. As you said, reinstalling will resolve the issue if it's caused by a corrupted file. Sometimes it might be a driver issue (either from an improper install or it's simply outdated). Sometimes your anti-virus or another program might interfere with the game and crash it. The suggestions I've given have proven useful in the past, that's why I always suggest them; they may resolve the issue for you. And yes, I've seen changing the GPU to work in the past (Although it's rarely suggested).

I understand that it doesn't seem like your GPU is at fault because it's played the game before and it has no issues with other games. However, my point is that it may not be a good fit in all scenarios. I don't think it's fundamentally broken, but it does have some abnormal properties (you can't run it at it's standard clock speed for instance). It sounds like it can do the job most of the time, but there are a few scenarios (like the one we are in now) where it might not work properly. I only bring this up because I know you've tried everything else and still have no change in the issue.

Because the error is this vague, I may be wrong in my conclusion, but if you've tried all the other suggestions and you say your GPU has these eccentricities, that's the conclusion I'm going to come to. One way to know for sure is for you to try out a different GPU. See if you can borrow one from someone, just to see if you run into the same issue. If you can play fine, then it might be your current GPU. If you run into the exact same problem, then we can see what we can do about escalating this.

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

Let me get this straight, your saying that if I don't fork over 200$ for a new graphics card you can't diagnose the issue? Do you understand how infuriating that is to hear? What if, by chance it doesn't work still. I will have just gone and wasted my money. If you can't guarantee a solution to the problem there is no way I'm going to be spending that kind of money. There is something in the patch that broke mine and many others clients that should be reason enough for the issue to be escalated. I understand its hard to tell whats causing the issue and people are solving it in different ways but it doesn't preclude the fact that there was a /big/ problem with the patch that should be looked into. So if you can't offer me any other help than "buy a new graphics card" then at least tell me that you will look potentially trying to solve the problem with a patch of sorts because that is so much more reasonable than suggesting to burn money on new hardware.

Thank you for the reply Galaticus.

To clarify, I wanted you to test another GPU, preferably borrowing one so you don't need to spend any money. I should also clarify that this is not an issue specifically with the patch. It did not create the issue. However, we will be requesting additional information at this time so we can further investigate the issue. To do so, we will be sending a support ticket to the email associated with your Square Enix account. Please respond to this email as we will be continuing support through that channel.

We will move this thread to 'Support Center Ticket Created' as support will be conducted through the email ticket system.

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