Error 2002 while trying to connect to Chaos/Light only

[ArisuSensei]

To be candid, this has been an issue that I've had on and off for a while now, since I came back to the game in December last year, and I have brought up a ticket directly with tech support regarding this as well as have attempted many fixes I've seen online (some of which I'll detail below).

In summary: I'm from Brazil, and I get the, sadly, very common "The lobby server connection has encountered an error. 2002" while attempting to connect to the EU datacenters - but only to the EU datacenters. I am able to connect to Aether (NA) and to Elemental (JP) where I have characters and am able to log onto those characters without issue.

• Platform: PC
• For PC, which platform?: Steam
• Any additional error codes or messages you receive upon disconnect: No
• Type of connection: Wired, Ethernet cable. Attempted through a WiFi adapter connected to the same network, and that also did not work.
• Other programs running while the game is playing (if any): Yes, Steam and Discord. However, nothing that would impact the functioning of FF14 or the underlying process.
• Frequency at which error occurs: There is no set frequency, but it happens very commonly after an update, after there is instability on the servers, or when there are many people connecting at once. It comes and goes without any way for me to predict it.
• Does this only happen to one character or all characters?: Only one, because they are in Chaos Omega, I have no other characters in the EU datacenters but I imagine they would also be affected.
• Are there other programs being used when running FFXIV?: Yes, Steam and Discord. As mentioned, nothing that would impact the functioning of FF14 or the underlying process.
• Is a VPN being used when this occurs?: No, however, connecting to ProtonVPN to an EU country does fix the issue at the cost of a much worse ping than what I'm used to (from 50-100ms to 200-300ms).
• What ISP Is being used?: This is a very hard question to answer because of the nature of how Brazilian ISPs work, however, I do believe it is Claro ISP. Most local ISPs in Brazil buy domains off bigger companies, and this is our case.

I have attempted the fixes provided by Moderator Glygnello on this thread to little avail.

I am able to not only connect to the EU DC but also to the character if I instead connect to my mobile data network, however, through my phone's USB tethering. While it servers to show the issue is in my network somehow, it is completely unsustainable as a solution in the long run, since I cannot switch back to my home network without it immediately disconnecting me.

A friend on Discord recommended me attempt to connect through a VPN and that actually did work to fix the issue with some caveats; however if I disconnect from the VPN it will also immediately disconnect me from the game and give me the same error despite me having been playing for several minutes.

This issue tends to fix itself from anywhere within a few hours to a few days to, at one point, a whole week without being able to log into my game. This wouldn't be an issue in a free to play game, but this isn't a free to play game.

[Thampbayoyows]

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

The issue you are describing is most associated with interference with the game data. It can be a result from certain security/privacy changes on Microsoft Edge. Other times, it occurs when an application running in the background causes interference, such as anti-virus software, firewalls, media players, web browsers, communications software, 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 before attempting to log in.

You can also try Right-Clicking on the FFXIV launcher icon and select “Run as Administrator.” This option can also be set permanently by Right-Clicking on the FFXIV launcher icon, selecting Properties, then under the Compatibility tab, check the box that says “Run this program as an administrator” and clicking OK.

Within Microsoft Edge, click the "Settings" option on the top right of the browser (under the three dots shown) and go to "Privacy, Search and Services" and go to the "Tracking Prevention" section. Make sure it is turned on and select the "Balanced" option.

Additionally, if any settings have been changed overall, it is best to keep things at default which you can perform manually by using the "Reset Settings" option under the "Settings" tab. Lastly, please ensure that Microsoft Edge is up to date by using the "Settings" > "About Microsoft Edge" option near the bottom left.

If the suggestions provided above do not resolve the issue, there may be 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 your provider 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 visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

[ArisuSensei]

Good afternoon, thank you for the response.

Luckily the issue solved itself this Monday without me needing to take any extra measures except using a VPN throughout the weekend to connect to the game. Unfortunately that also means I can't attempt the potential fixes you offered, however, if I do encounter the same issue in the future, I will try them.

In the matter of contacting my ISP, I did consider that, but due to the timing (it was a Saturday coming up on a Sunday), I'd be stuck waiting until this Monday regardless when the issue no longer was there.

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my issues, however, I do appreciate it a lot!

[Pudringchumenes]

Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums!

I am so glad to hear it is working now!

If you are having another issue, please create a new thread and we will assist you in any way we can.

This thread will be moved to the 'Closed Concerns' sub forum.

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