Crashes to desktop when I login into my main character

[Smaul]

When I log into my main character my game just crashes to desktop. I made another character and it works fine. I've tried almost all of the methods I could find online. I can select the character and then it goes into a loading screen but before it loads it just crashes to desktop, with no error message or anything.

What I've tried so far
- Updating my drivers
- Reinstalling (which worked once but then when I logged in the next time it crashed again)
- Instaling all Windows uppdates
- Messing around in the game files with UI stuff
- Verifying integrity of game files on Steam
- Searching my hard drive for corrupted files
- Launched with both dx11 and without, neither worked.
- Probably something more, I forget

I realize that this post is close to this one: https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/.../431503?page=1 But since that didn't get resolved i'm posting this

[Basteala]

I want to add to this, as this is a recent issue. I get a black screen, the PC goes into standby, then it boots up a second later. Now originally I thought this was related to heat, as many online have suggested for other people, but here's two reasons why I DON'T think that is the case:

Firstly, I attempted to use the game on a different PC with lower performance settings, and it too had this unusual crash. More frequently, I might add. This PC had also not been used in any way, shape or form for a couple of days, and it is fairly cold in terms of weather at 54 degrees with no heat on.

Secondly, the PC isn't turning off, nor is it rebooting. Instead, after the screen comes back from its darkened status, everything is back to how it was: the browser is up with it respective tabs with no load time, Final Fantasy is up, but it is back to the start screen, any other apps are likewise running, not starting up as they would be with a PC crash. There is no smell of ozone which is another symptom of heat related damage to a device.

Both of my PCs use Windows 10, both of my PCs are using the Windows PC (non Steam) version of the game. It's late and I don't have time to dig up full specs, but the PC crashing more has a SSD, 1660 Ti, and 16 GB ram, the new one that only very occasionally has this issue has 32 GB RAM, a 3080, and SSD as well.

- I have attempted multiple devices to eliminate the risk of hardware failure.
- I have updated AND rolled back both display drivers
- I have lowered the settings of the graphics in case these were too intensive
- I have attempted to launch with and without Directx11

I want to say these issues first started on Friday or Saturday this week.

EDIT: Interestingly, the OP is right. The issue does not take place on sub level 90 alt characters. At first, I thought this might have been zone related (my main is in Empyreum when this problem took place tonight, by the FC house. I attempted to bring my alt to this same location, and as of right now the crash has not happened).

EDIT 2: After logging in on my alt, I decided to login on my main character again, to see if doing so refreshed some manner of character data. As of right now, it is not crashing.

EDIT 3: After about 15 minutes of use I logged out, but there was no further issue as of right now. Will test more tomorrow.

EDIT 4: Never mind. It lasted longer, but still went under in about 15 minutes as of now. Last note--each time this has happened my character has been in Empyreum--not inside a house, but the actual ward itself. Now both characters cannot login. Originally I thought that Empyreum was the common point of failure, but attempting to log a character onto another world server (and thus outside of Empyreum) does not work.

EDIT 5: All characters on this PC now having this issue, regardless of where they are presently located in the game.

[Darneltia]

Greetings fellow Eorzean,

We apologize for the inconvenience you are experiencing with crashing/connection issues with a specific character in-game. Please provide the following information:

- Are you using a wired or wireless connection?
- Do you have any firewalls or anti-virus software installed on the machine if are using a Mac or Windows PC? If so, which ones do you have installed?
- Internet Service Provider
- Location/Region you are in (Not in game, your actual location)
- Does any specific error message/code occur when the crash happens?
- Have you tried completely uninstalling the game and reinstalling it? We also highly recommend deleting the "Final Fantasy XIV" sub-folder in "Documents" as this contains data that may be related to the referenced character data.

We look forward to your reply back.

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

[Smaul]

Thanks for the reply and I realize that I maybe should've provided that info in the first place, sorry. anyway here are my answers to your questions.

- I'm using a wireless connection.
- I have Norton security and basic windows protection.
- My internet provider is Comm
- Region: Sweden (Idk if that's an actual region but the region Sweden is in any way.)
- There is no error message, it just crashes to the desktop.
- I uninstalled and reinstalled it a couple of days ago and then the problem fixed itself for one session before crashing the next time I selected my main character. I have not deleted the folder but I'll try it and come back to you.

Thanks again for the reply.

EDIT: Did not work even after deleting the sub folder.

[Thukoolo]

Good morning Smaul! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.

We apologize for the delay in response to this issue. The error you are describing may occur when DirectX crashes. We suggest to perform a clean boot by opening the task manager and selecting the 'Start up' Tab. Then, Disable everything. Additionally, can you submit a Final Fantasy XIV system report? Simply go to the 'Config' option on the Final Fantasy XIV launcher and to the right of 'System Information' click on 'Display'. Lastly, are you able to access other characters?

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