Error 2002 Connecting to Data Center

[lunaryskupo]

Hi.

I'm experiencing a "the lobby server connection has encountered an error (2002)" error when attempting to connect via my temporary laptop to the Diabolos server.

Backstory:

I usually play FFXIV on my desktop, and I have no issues there; however, my travel laptop (which ~also~ runs FFXIV without issue) is broken, and so I'm using a temporary replacement meanwhile.

Laptop Information:

The replacement is a Dell laptop.

• AMD A6-6310 APU w/AMD Radeon R4 Graphics 1.80 GhZ

• 4GB (a little over 1GB used)

• Win.8 (eugh)/64 bit.

It has Norton and Malwarebytes on it.

I'm not sure what other information may be needed, but as it is now, I can't log into the game and would like to correct this ASAP if possible. What could be causing this error? From my Google searches, it seems to be a really old issue, as in when the game first launched. I'm using my regular Comcast internet connection to attempt logging in. I've even tried uninstalling Norton and logging back into XIV and I get the same error message. While I go to bed I plan to reinstall, and maybe that'll fix it, but I thought I'd post this in case.

Updated:

Lots of restarts later.

Still not fixed, even after a re-download. I'm currently at Starbucks trying to login for giggles and it isn't allowing me (same error). I even went into my Windows Firewall and made sure Final Fantasy was allowed on both public and private networks. Norton Antivirus is uninstalled. Funny enough, every forum post I go to with this error has zero response from SE, so that's neat. It'd be super helpful to know if this was something on my end and what else specifically I could be doing to try and fix it. From what me and my s/o can scrounge up, it looks like a router issue--but considering I'm on ~public wifi~ it may be something with my wifi capabilities on this laptop? Who knows.

Will hard-wire to router when I'm home if possible and try again.

Thanks again,

Luna

[Einmimiria]

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

Are you using the same connection every time when using this laptop (excluding the Starbucks connection of course)? You mentioned you are travelling so I was wondering how many different connections you have tried. The public wifi might bring difficulties as they generally have more restrictions than a private router.

As for your laptop itself, try some of the following:

Open the Internet Explorer browser (not Edge), 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"

Also try using a wired connection if you have the option.

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

[lunaryskupo]

Hi!

At the moment I'm not travelling, I'm still on my stable home Internet connection (Comcast, 2.4ghz).

I'll try these suggestions in a bit and post an update. I've been messing with both laptops for a few days now and need a break before I lose my mind. :')

I haven't been able to find an Ethernet cord to hotwire into the router (it wouldn't make sense to have to do this anyways if I'm travelling and it isn't working, but I'd like to see if it would give us more information on the problem {if it worked/did not work}).

[Ariellendera]

Hello lunaryskupo, Thank you for your response.

Please keep us updated on your situation after you try the steps we suggested.

Hope to be of assistance.

[lunaryskupo]

Update:

I did all of the recommendations on Internet Explorer to the T, but took liberties on two of the non-IE related recommendations.

1.) From the desktop on Windows 8, I did not have the "compatibility" tab, so I had to go into my Steam Folder, FFXIV, access ffxivboot.exe, then make it run as admin/windows 7 compatibility.

2.) I also couldn't right click and run as administrator, so I did it the above way.

In any case,

It still didn't work, and I'm still receiving the error.

I'm still looking for an Ethernet cable to hotwire into the router, but again, this wouldn't solve my issue of being unable to connect without a hardwire.

Update:

Even ran Steam as administrator, still nothing.

[lunaryskupo]

I think there's something wrong with how this Dell laptop is connecting to the Internet. It runs fine with browsers, but when it comes to connecting to other servers (ie. Norton), it doesn't work. I say this because when I uninstalled Norton the first time, I tried to reinstall it, and the "server couldn't be reached." Then I tried to install the FIX tool just now, and it said I needed to be, "connected to the Internet to use this tool." Obviously I'm connected just fine, as I'm sitting on this laptop now writing to you all about my misery.

Any ideas on how to fix this? I don't even know how to Google something like that.

[Einmimiria]

Thank you for the update lunaryskupo.

It sounds like the connection you have is a bit spotty. This doesn't mean that you can't connect to the internet, but you may have difficulty with certain connection types. Something like the forums here, will not require a constant connection, it really just needs to load the page and allow you to post your response. The Norton connection probably needed a constant connection that your laptop can supply. I'm assuming it started to connect and was lost somewhere, resulting in "server couldn't be reached". Final Fantasy XIV will have a similar connection requirement which is probably why you keep getting that error.

Connecting via an Ethernet cable is still the optimal way and may resolve this issue. If you can't do that, make sure that you are close to the router you are using and that nothing is in between you that can interfere with the signal (other wireless signals, appliances such as microwaves, etc.).

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

[lunaryskupo]

Hi,

Would something like a wireless signal booster (or whatever they're called) help solve this issue? Like one of the USB bits.

Thanks,

Luna

[Ariellendera]

Hello lunaryskupo, Thank you for posting on the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums

I would like to reiterate what we said above. If you are not able to do this I would suggest contacting your ISP in regards to your connection

Connecting via an Ethernet cable is still the optimal way and may resolve this issue. If you can't do that, make sure that you are close to the router you are using and that nothing is in between you that can interfere with the signal (other wireless signals, appliances such as microwaves, etc.).

Thank you for playing Final Fantasy XIV! Hope to see you online.

[lunaryskupo]

Hi,

At my boyfriend's now and we're next to the router; still not working. On top of this, we attempted a hardwired connection and still received the error. Something is blocking my connectivity and making it limited to where I can't connect to servers, in this scenario, xiv's.