"Unknown Error" when changing zones or logging in. ZOS please respond.

Tuonelan

ZOS,

there are multiple threads on this forum, as well as the foreign language forums, regarding the "unknown error". As I am on the receiving end of this I have done extensive research. In response to all these threads you have launched the thread http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/65328/unknown-error-received-upon-disconnecting/ in order to collect problem times and IP addresses of those affected. This thread was launched on 02.04 but until today there has been no update to from you with regards to a possible fix or a suggestion from support how to deal with this issue.

Also, because to this error message has no actual error code attached to it, it is unlikely that all people receiving the "unknown error" have the exact same problem.

I have seen multiple fixes on these forums, some of them worked for a minority, for most however nothing has changed:
- Running ESO and the launcher as administrator within Windows
- Opening up the ports 24100 through 24500 as well as 24131 through 24507 for both TCP and UDP
- Closing the launcher in the background when running ESO
- Adding ESO to the allowed programs in the firewall
- Disabling addons

My specific problem is that: Whenever I log into ESO, I get to the character selection screen and into the actual game without any problem. However when in game I cannot: Use an ability, interact with NPCs and objects, draw weapons. In addition I see other players move erratically through the area as if there is some massive lag. Whenever I try to do one of these functions such as using an ability or interact with an object I get the unknown error after about 20 seconds. When logging into the game multiple times, there is the rare occasion that all is working perfectly fine. This is up until I am moving from one zone to the next (eg. Dungeon -> Quest area or Dungeon -> Waypoint) and then the whole thing starts again.

I would like to hear from other players if they are receiving the same issues and if they have found a fix so we can work on this together.

Lioben

Unfortunately i haven't a fix to offer but i agree with you. They made the Sticky thread 3 days ago and so far that's it. No update, no new comments, the old thread closed, so that nobody can discuss it. Now we have several minor threads about the problem, but it does look like a minor problem right? But considering the original thread it is the biggest problem so far affecting people.

So please give us a new statement at least.

Tuonelan

Lioben wrote: »

Unfortunately i haven't a fix to offer but i agree with you. They made the Sticky thread 3 days ago and so far that's it. No update, no new comments, the old thread closed, so that nobody can discuss it. Now we have several minor threads about the problem, but it does look like a minor problem right? But considering the original thread it is the biggest problem so far affecting people.

So please give us a new statement at least.

I am not sure why the megathread was closed. People were actually discussing it and exchanging advice and as you say: now there are multiple small ones making it difficult to track. Not the best experience.

Paffe

I agree, I'd really like to hear something from them too. I myself have the issue when you crash during the loading screens or get infinite "requesting character load". It didn't seem so bad during slower times during the early acces when it happend "only" 50% of the time, but during any peak time now it seems nearly impossible getting in to the game.

It really starts being ridiculously frustrating when you have 1 / 10 chance of getting through the requesting character load or loading screen between zones. Actually got into the game? Good luck getting out of that dungeon. I now have bunch of low level quests at a point where I need to get into some dungeon and just can't complete them. Needles to say, not feeling too good about going to fill those subscription plans.

osbornosborneb17_ESO

My problem is completely similar to the above.

Lioben

Oh damn. Everything was fine yesterday and now i have the problem again. Can't log in and if i do i get kicked out on zoning. Perfect Weekend...

verakum

I am getting the same problem since day 1, 7 hours of game play and I was only able to do the tutorial grab 1 quest and visit 3 houses.. I know this is launch week but seriously.. all these companies should already know that they need MORE!!!!!!!! WAY! MORE! computer power to handle the fans

Tuonelan

verakum wrote: »

I am getting the same problem since day 1, 7 hours of game play and I was only able to do the tutorial grab 1 quest and visit 3 houses.. I know this is launch week but seriously.. all these companies should already know that they need MORE!!!!!!!! WAY! MORE! computer power to handle the fans

I am not sure if it is their server capacity or "power". Some people don't have this error whatsoever, then other have it constantly like you and I. Also, this doesn't seem to be ISP or region related as many different player receive this in EU and NA no matter their location or ISP.

Dominoid

If you have add-ons, disable them all and see if that helps.

Tuonelan

Dominoid wrote: »

If you have add-ons, disable them all and see if that helps.

Not for me

Granite

Having same problem with loggin in and chaning zones. Also impossible to enter cyrodil. Just getting black screen and unknown error again.

whatsername908

Having the same exact problem to the T, OP. I don't know of any solutions because the ones being offered do not apply or I've already tried them. It's especially prevalent in high-traffic areas, but the issue still exists throughout and at all times of the day. It's annoying most of the time, but it renders the game absolutely unplayable during popular hours and, I'm discovering, weekends.

I really love this game, but if I can't play it there's no way I can justify a subscription. Zenimax, please, please look into this 'Unknown Error'; it's bad.

Vyxen

Just out of curiousity..how many of you are Wireless? I have 3 computers in my house: 2 desktops that are wired and 1 brand new laptop that is wireless. The only computer I am having this problem on is my laptop. The funny part of this is when I do hardwire my laptop the game runs perfectly fine for hours. As soon as I go wireless I get a disconnect after maybe 3 minutes top of playtime. I have tried all the fixes, sent emails, made phone calls but am still unable to play the game on my laptop without the ethernet being connected. I am hoping we all get a solution to the problem as I purchased the laptop to play ESO away from my desktop.

Deez1234

I have been having the same exact issues as the original poster. Customer service said, and I quote:

"Response By Email (Angel) (04/04/2014 04:21 PM)
Greetings Stephen!

This error is occurring due to the large volume of logins. The issue should be resolved relatively soon. We recommend attempting to log in to the game again after a period of around 10 minutes.


Thank you for your continued interest and support!

Warm Regards,
The Elder Scrolls Online Team"

I have also tried every solution found on the forums just as the OP did. NOTHING WORKS! This is destroying my view as well as enjoy-ability of this amazing game. I had no problem whatsoever during the beta tests. Please help us.....

Death_Chicken

I also am having this same problem,I send in a ticket and I get the same crap try reloadui try /camp.It doesnt work....the thing im ticked off the most about is that I took 2 weeks holiday to play this..I dont concider constantly loading in to try and get lucky for maybe 10 minutes of play time a fun experience.If they dont fix this Im definatly voting with my wallet and not resubing.

Tuonelan

Well I just got this great response from the customer service regarding my unknown error issue:

In most cases, the "Login Error" message appears when players identify themselves by their e-mail addresses instead of their UserIDs. Players should use their UserID to confirm their identity as the account owner instead of their e-mail address.
If they are not sure what their UserID is, they should visit https://account.elderscrollsonline.com/. On this page, click on the "Forgot UserID" link and follow the directions to have their UserID sent to them.

Ahem, I don't have login problems....read the message ZOS!

Tuonelan

Just to add: I have done multiple tracerts today to different ESO IPs and the results is constantly the same:

[17 * * * Request timed out.
18 ZENIMAX-MED.ear1.Dallas1.Level3.net [4.31.132.194] reports: Destination ne
t unreachable.

ZOS, is there any way to circumvent this in any way.

Lioben

The problem with zoning is that you have to connect to a different server IP from ESO, which is why it crashes. Even if ESO accepts the non-static IP's from the most people having the problems, than there is a new check from the new ESO server. That's at least how i understood it.

Tuonelan

Lioben wrote: »

The problem with zoning is that you have to connect to a different server IP from ESO, which is why it crashes. Even if ESO accepts the non-static IP's from the most people having the problems, than there is a new check from the new ESO server. That's at least how i understood it.

I have been tracking the IP changes with ESO when changing Zones (if I don't receive the error) via the resource monitor and there is always one where the lag spike up to a few thousand ms. Sorry, but this seems to be definitely an error on their side.

Granite

Tried to log in/change zones for 1,5 hours this morning 4-6am and still had this problem with infinite character load and unknown error when changing zones. So I dont think its because there would be overcrowding on servers.

Lioben

No, you are right, it is not because of overpopulated servers.

Vargtask

All we can do at this point is to hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

I forced myself to endure playing a few quests last night and the experience had me chewing on my table and sticking needles into my eye balls everytime the unknown error hit and messed me up. It hits at random and at different phases of game play, needless to say I ran out of needles to stick into my eyes...

Tuonelan

ZOS, please respond to this. I really want to play your game and pay for it, but myself and many other cannot play it at the moment?

Princess_Leia

I have been playing fine all day with my husband. And then, in the past hour, i get super lag and i can't seem to do anything in the game. I can't interact with objects, NPCs, can't post in chat, people running on the spot, or it looks like i am the only one on the server. And then it times out with a message "Unknown Error" or just now "Timed out due to inactivity" but hey, i couldn't DO ANYTHING. lol I am lucky to stay in-game for a total of 5-10 mins before i get booted out.

Please fix this real soon. I am absolutely loving your game, but I don't want to spend my time getting timed out a lot. It gets very disheartening. I understand its launch, but a message would be good to let us all know that you are looking into the issue.

Tuonelan

Princess_Leia wrote: »

I have been playing fine all day with my husband. And then, in the past hour, i get super lag and i can't seem to do anything in the game. I can't interact with objects, NPCs, can't post in chat, people running on the spot, or it looks like i am the only one on the server. And then it times out with a message "Unknown Error" or just now "Timed out due to inactivity" but hey, i couldn't DO ANYTHING. lol I am lucky to stay in-game for a total of 5-10 mins before i get booted out.

Please fix this real soon. I am absolutely loving your game, but I don't want to spend my time getting timed out a lot. It gets very disheartening. I understand its launch, but a message would be good to let us all know that you are looking into the issue.

I feel for you. And still no reply from ZOS .

Tuonelan

Really: See attachment

Tuonelan

What solved it for me was actually an advice from ZOS:

"Looking at the tracert that you sent in we determined that it looks like the information is going through a bad route to get back to you and thus could be why you are getting the kickouts and lag spikes. To attempt to fix this please follow these steps to flush your DNS:

Windows 7:

Click on the Start button
Type cmd in the Start Menu
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator
Type "ipconfig /flushdns" and hit enter
If it was successful, you will see the message "Windows IP configuration successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache."
Power cycle the router to clear the cache so that it doesn't store the bad route
"

mikko.alandereb17_ESO

Well that advice worked for me. And after that I changed my DNS servers too.

Tuonelan

What did you change them to?

mikko.alandereb17_ESO

I use an LTE/mobile broadband and there are different DNS servers for mobile and DSL. So I changed them to same as DSL's.

Lioben

@ Mikko.alandereb17 could you describe me how you did it? I use mobile Broadband as well, but have no idea how to do it.