Character-Specific Server Connection Timeout

[LeadFeet]

I just came back to DDO two weeks ago and I've had this same issue now three times. I'm in game playing and get a long load screen between zones followed by a connection timeout. The real problem is that when I restart DDO and choose that character from the Character Selection screen, I get a 4m20s (probably a dumb dev joke) load screen at 0% followed by "The connection to the server has been lost!" I AM able to log on to other characters when this happens. The first time I submitted a ticket on Standing Stones website and they fixed it *somehow* after about 16 hours. The second time it resolved on it's own after a day or two, maybe from a server reboot. This third time it's been 2 days and I still can't log in to that one character. Just submitted another ticket. I've tried rebooting my PC/modem, mucking with connection speed and DirectX versions, even a client uninstall/reinstall. Any ideas how to work around this without waiting on slow tech support to fix it?

[C-Dog]

I AM able to log on to other characters when this happens.

So you can go back to the log-in screen, and log in w/ a diff character on that same account/same server?

That IS very odd - usually that causes the game to crash/close any open character and kicks you back to the character selection screen. Something is def wrong, but no idea what.

If you're VIP or recent Premium, I'd try contacting CS via these forums, see if you can't get more traction on the problem. If you don't qualify for CS, then, realistically, it's a longer stretch to say that they'll be hustling to focus on this problem for you. :/

GL!

[Coffey]

Can you select the character and Transport to Ebberon or Transport to Forgotten Realms?

[LeadFeet]

Can you select the character and Transport to Ebberon or Transport to Forgotten Realms?

No, I think I have to be VIP to do that. And I suspect it might fix the problem. My character is currently in the Marketplace, possibly each time this has happened too. Maybe something to do with Festivult?

[rabidfox]

I've had this happen before. Basically from what I've gathered that character is semi-lost in no man's space between the zones as a result of how it got timed out. Sometimes it takes waiting until server reboot day for it fix itself. There's nothing to to do on your end, it's going on the server side. From other threads I'd read, it's caused by some sort of a hiccup occurring server side in a perfectly bad sync with someone zoning.

[C-Dog]

After reflection, since you deleted/reloaded the game files, it sounds like the character is not being recognized, so isn't even beginning to load, which (probably) means something w/ the character file itself is corrupted, and that's on the server end.

CS should address that - if they are able to.

[Coffey]

You can purchase Hall of Heroes Passport for 795 DP. That would allow you to select Transport to Ebberon and enter through Stormreach Hall of Heroes.

Will it work? IDK for sure.

[Clemeit]

I'm in game playing and get a long load screen between zones followed by a connection timeout. The real problem is that when I restart DDO and choose that character from the Character Selection screen, I get a 4m20s (probably a dumb dev joke) load screen at 0% followed by "The connection to the server has been lost!" I AM able to log on to other characters when this happens.

I've had a similar experience, though it doesn't happen too often. It's as you described: get stuck on loading screen, close the client (sometimes forcibly), and then I'm unable to use that character for while. I can login to other servers just fine, and (iirc) I can also login to other characters on the original server. But that specific character seems to be in some sort of limbo state where it's unplayable.

It usually sorts itself out within an hour for me. 2 days though? That's brutal.

[Kinerd]

try ipconfig /flushdns in a Windows command prompt

[Coffey]

I've had a similar experience, though it doesn't happen too often. It's as you described: get stuck on loading screen, close the client (sometimes forcibly), and then I'm unable to use that character for while. I can login to other servers just fine, and (iirc) I can also login to other characters on the original server. But that specific character seems to be in some sort of limbo state where it's unplayable.

It usually sorts itself out within an hour for me. 2 days though? That's brutal.

Were you able to Transport to Eberon or Transport to Forgotten Realms at character selection?

[Coffey]

try ipconfig /flushdns in a Windows command prompt

This is worth a try.

You can also try changing your DNS server.

DNS Tutorial

https://www.dnsperf.com Shows performance based on your location.

[Ganak]

Been trying to workaround this, but it is super debilitating.

Just got locked out of the Guild Ship upon logging in (can enter game through FR or Ebberon). Using the opportunity to troubleshoot more.

Totally disabled Windows Defender Firewall...no change.

Again, specific symptoms are:

I'm in game playing and get a long load screen between zones followed by a connection timeout. Sometimes entering a zone; sometimes exiting a quest. No pattern to which zones this occurs. This has happened upon the initial login to the game too. This ends with a "The connection to the server has been lost!" error and shutdown of the client and back to desktop.

I can always get back in to via the transport to the forgotten realms or transport to Ebberron option on the character screen. Although once it impacted me going right to Ebberron and had to go to FR.

Resetting the instance you were trying to get into fixes the issue! Like waiting for an outdoor area to reset after 5 minutes. Problem is instances which do not reset regularly because there are people in it (like Marketplace).

People who have seen this happen to me when it happens when entering a quest say I get into the instance and they can see my dot. I can actually hear people on voice chat as the loading screen never loads until it boots me to desktop with the error.

When an instance is borked, it impacts all my characters trying to get into that instance.

I booted up today with the new 64 bit client hoping it may make a difference...Nope could not login to the game directly into the guild ship where I was parked, was able to log into "Transport to Ebberon" fine, but when go to guild ship, get the error. Had a guildy type /loc and the ship is on server 18 (on Argo).