Really bad latency on Omega (EU) during the last ~2 weeks

[Xeraser]

I've been experiencing really bad latency on Omega for the past 2 weeks. Combat feels worse and worse due to the increased latency (eg: animations take 1 to 3 seconds to start playing, damage numbers and healthbars go down 1 to 3 seconds after the animation is done, sometimes combat actually freezes for up to 3 seconds but the worst thing for me are the AoE attacks. I keep getting hit despite moving out of the way seconds before the attack is executed. Sometimes I move away when there's 1/4th left on the casting bar and I'm a good distance away but I still get hit. I also get hit after using the DRG's backwards jump to get out of the way seconds before the attack is executed. It doesn't always happen but it's becoming more and more common nowadays.

Chocobo racing on the other hand is completely unplayable for me. Races freeze for 3 to 5 seconds every 3-4 seconds and it's really really frustrating.

My connection is rather decent (200/50 but 100/20 effective) and the latency I measured through the resource monitor for both ffxiv processes is almost always 50 to 55 seconds with very very rare spikes to 60 and a single spike to 70 when I was downloading something at fullspeed in the background. I've performed a speedtest to a server in Munich (I figured that's where the datacenter is since it has to be in a central location) and sure enough I get ~50ms of latency there.

In my experience with other games that require low latency (MOBAs, FPS, RTS) even 80-100ms don't produce these kinds of results.

Can anything be done about this ?

[Jonnycbad]

I also get hit after using the DRG's backwards jump to get out of the way seconds before the attack is executed.

For Elusive Jump or any position adjustment skill, you are considered in your original position until after the animation completely finishes. What this means is, if a mob targets the ground you re standing on with an AoE, and you use Elusive Jump, your character is still considered standing in the AoE until after you land from and recover from the movement. This may seem counter-intuitve since your character model appears to have moved, but the server isn't updated about your position until after the animation finishes, so you can still get hit. Unless you do it super early in the cast, it's generally considered risky.

[Einmimiria]

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

One thing I should mention is that the EU Data Center has had some network issues for the past week or so. I'm not certain if this has affected your connectivity, but it is something to consider. Also, what server did you do a speed test for? How did you perform that?

I'd also like to get some information about your own network:

- Platform (PC, PS4, Mac)
- Type of connection (wired or wireless)
- Other programs running while the game is playing (if any)
- Frequency at which error occurs
- Everything you have tried to resolve the issue

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

[Xeraser]

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

One thing I should mention is that the EU Data Center has had some network issues for the past week or so. I'm not certain if this has affected your connectivity, but it is something to consider. Also, what server did you do a speed test for? How did you perform that?

I'd also like to get some information about your own network:

- Platform (PC, PS4, Mac)
- Type of connection (wired or wireless)
- Other programs running while the game is playing (if any)
- Frequency at which error occurs
- Everything you have tried to resolve the issue

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

I went over to speedtest.net and selected the only server in Munich. Most online games have their EU servers located in Munich or around that area since it's a central position within the region so I figured that the EU datacenter had to be somewhere around that and it does match with the latency I observed in the resource monitor, more or less. (the speedtest server seems to be very slightly closed though). It's not completely accurate but it's accurate enough. SE doesn't provide the IP for their servers sadly so I can't ping them directly.

I'm playing on PC with a wireless connection (I use wireless out of convenience, there's practically no real difference between wired and wireless in my specific case but I did try wired as well)
The only other programs running in the background are Discord, Steam (with automatic updates turned off to avoid having game updates download in the background) plus hardware monitoring software like MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner. I've already tried playing with all of those completely closed, there's no difference. As for the frequency it's pretty random but increasingly common for the combat (it seems to vary with each encounter but it seems very common in instanced duties) and it's constant for the chocobo racing.

[Einmimiria]

Thank you for the reply Xeraser.

I'm actually not sure where the EU Data Center is located (the exact location isn't publicly available) so I can't say for certain if you are doing a speed test to the right location. In regards to latency, this is usually the result of congestion on the way to the server. Exactly where that congestion is occurring I can't tell for certain unless we had an accurate trace route.

We can, however, make sure that there is nothing interfering from within your home network.

First, I'd suggest sticking with a wired connection. I understand that it's inconvenient but a wired connection will be more stable overall. In addition to this, try some of the following:

1) The game will use the Internet Explorer web browser to connect to the internet. Open Internet Explorer, then open the "Tools" setting, 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, click “Advanced” and select ‘Accept’ under both First Party and Third Party 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"

2) Make sure your anti-virus/firewall has the appropriate exceptions for Final Fantasy XIV

3) Check the following Port Ranges on your router/modem to ensure that the following Port Ranges have been opened:
▼TCP
54992 through 54994,
55006 through 55007,
55021 through 55040
Your ISP can open these ports for you.

4) Change your DNS to 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1
- Go to the Control Panel
- Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings
- Right-click on the connection you are using and select Properties
- Under the Networking tab you will see a long list of available options
- Scroll down and doubleclick on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
- Select 'Use the following DNS server addresses'

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