Launcher times out - unable to connect (Australia)

[Caetie]

The message I get from every section of the launcher is "A connection error has occured. Please try again later." The username/password section of the launcher doesn't load, and neither do the news items.

However, from the launcher I :
- can connect to Online Store
- cannot connect to Lodestone, Patch Notes or Play Guide.

I have a EU version of the game, but wasn't sure if I should post to the EU thread because my ISP is Australian (Optus).

This problem only started occurring within the past 30 hours. When I use my VPN (ExpressVPN) routed through LA, California everything loads as normal. I don't generally game with my VPN on, however. When the launcher does load through VPN, I noticed there were some network issues that had been resolved that seem to coincide almost exactly with when my network problems started occurring. Please let me know where I can even start with troubleshooting this problem. To start, I've turned everything off and on again.

[Dynratygus]

Good morning and thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

When this error message occurs, is the computer connected to the router or is it running off of WiFi? Additionally does the game disconnect when the VPN is turned off?

Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums

[Kentaro27]

I'm also having the exact same issue since yesterday and I am from Australia also. Playing on PS4. Even this forum does not load unless using a VPN that directs to another country.

[VelKallor]

Its been like this for two days. I tried using a vpn today, on Elemental. The moment I turned it off, disconnected immediately. I was also lagged badly, tried using wtfast and yep timed out and same issue

Cant connect to launcher, cant get to Mogstation, cant get to Lodestone. VPN works but am VERY loathe to use it in case it gets tagged...this isnt funny at all.

The OCE servers cant come too soon.

When this error message occurs, is the computer connected to the router or is it running off of WiFi?

Cable connection.

Additionally does the game disconnect when the VPN is turned off?

Yes. Instantly.

Caetie, its an NBN routing issue apparently...I have also been told that said NBN normally routes traffic from Australia to the Elemental servers via INDIA..which beggars belief.

[LanKiller]

I'm also having the exact same issue on PC. VPN is the only thing that will let me connect. I have a hard connection and it disconnects when I turn the VPN off

[Caetie]

So apparently my problem is only on the launcher. Prior to this I have been able to swap between my wi-fi connection and hotspot from the actual game screen (where you can start, choose your data center, watch the trailers, configure etc.) without disconnecting. So today I turned my VPN on, logged in, clicked play to load the game, then turned off my VPN and was able to select start and login to my character as per normal through my standard ISP.

So whatever problem this is, it is solely a launcher problem. The game itself routes fine for me once I've gone through the initial login process.

[VelKallor]

So today I turned my VPN on, logged in, clicked play to load the game, then turned off my VPN and was able to select start and login to my character as per normal through my standard ISP.

Tried that. Instant disconnect.

[Kentaro27]

It appears to be an issue with Optus NBN. Are you all using Optus? I can't even use my phone (telstra) to hotspot, my ps4 wont even connect to it for some reason.

[VelKallor]

Are you all using Optus?

Yes I am. Sadly.

[Caetie]

Are you all using Optus? I can't even use my phone (telstra) to hotspot

Yes, and my phone is also through Optus and hotspots just fine.