Constant Dropped Packets / Rubberbanding

[Ravenguard]

I've been having a problem during raids for the past few weeks (and probably elsewhere while logged in, but more noticeable during raids), with non-stop, consistent network lag and rubber banding.

I've been running a constant ping to the lobby server (209.2.229.9) and to Google's DNS (8.8.8.8) while attempting to raid and while I get no packet loss to Google, I'm getting 4%-11% packet loss consistently to SE's lobby server. No spikes in MS time.

I've gotten to the point where I cannot even complete O3S and O4S due to the rubberbanding.

ISP is Cox. I don't believe it to be my setup here, since I'm having trouble getting a consistent Tracert from the Cox hop out.

[Lostdragon]

Your not alone in this. I hail from Sargatanas. and i've been having the similar issue for the past 10 days. but its very apparent at all times. Tried running Rabanaster. (12,000 ping on a boss was impossible to do anything) but following in your foot steps, i received the same results of no issue anywhere else other then in 14's servers.

[snipski]

Same here i have been having delay and small lagspikes for like 10 days now.

[Ariellendera]

I've been having a problem during raids for the past few weeks (and probably elsewhere while logged in, but more noticeable during raids), with non-stop, consistent network lag and rubber banding.

I've been running a constant ping to the lobby server (209.2.229.9) and to Google's DNS (8.8.8.8) while attempting to raid and while I get no packet loss to Google, I'm getting 4%-11% packet loss consistently to SE's lobby server. No spikes in MS time.

I've gotten to the point where I cannot even complete O3S and O4S due to the rubberbanding.

ISP is Cox. I don't believe it to be my setup here, since I'm having trouble getting a consistent Tracert from the Cox hop out.

Hello! Thank you for Posting here in the Final Fantasy XIV!

I am going to provide you with some troubleshooting steps that should resolve your issue. Please do all the steps. If your issue gets resolved, please let us know what resolved it so we can further assist other players.

The issue you are describing is most associated with interference with the game data. 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 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.

Thank you for playing Final Fantasy XIV.

[Ravenguard]

Thank you for your response.

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.

Done.

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.

Done.

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

Confirmed open.

Unfortunately, I don't raid today, but I'll keep an eye on it and reply back with the status.

[Ariellendera]

Okay great!

[Ravenguard]

So it appears to not be working still. I logged in around 4PM MST and everything was smooth. However after logging back in around 8:30PM-9PM MST, I'm getting a large amount of lag (and a few disconnects).

My pings to the lobby server look like:


And even to NA.FinalFantasyXIV.com (Lodestone) looks like:


However, simultaneous pings to other IP addresses, such as Google's DNS:


And random websites, such as Lifewire.com:


So I'm having a hard time thinking its my ISP as nothing else is like this. Only FFXIV. Evening uploading images to the Lodestone and making this post was a challenge.

[Hestzhyen]

Sounds like you're getting routed through some congested/bad hops when going to FFXIV services. If you can, try using a free trial of a VPN like WTFast while playing to see if your issues clear up. If so, you can either invest in a VPN or ask Cox to find a better route (you'll have to be really, really persistent with the second option though- and there's no guarantee they'll actually do it for you).

[Ravenguard]

Running a Tracert to the Lobby Server once again:



It leaves my network just fine and Cox hands it off to NTT Communications in Los Angeles (lsanca, Hop 6-8) at which point it seems to be having a hard time. The loss continues as its transferred to San Jose (snjsca, Hops 9-12).

Is it possible there's something going with NTT's network in California?

[Ravenguard]

Sounds like you're getting routed through some congested/bad hops when going to FFXIV services. If you can, try using a free trial of a VPN like WTFast while playing to see if your issues clear up. If so, you can either invest in a VPN or ask Cox to find a better route (you'll have to be really, really persistent with the second option though- and there's no guarantee they'll actually do it for you).

This is was I was considering. I was thinking about trying to find a VPN so I could take a different path in because how I'm being routed currently is not working.