Error 303 Connection to server has timed out. XB1 (since IC patch) been unable to play at all since

Mike_IG · September 2015

Hi,

Since installing the latest IC patch I've been unable to actually sign in and play the game.

I'm on the Europe server (announcement actually says welcome to the North American server, but I'm guessing that's just a lazy cut and paste job from the NA server that someone forgot to change to Europe)

I can select play on the Europe server and it brings up my 3 characters and when I select one it says requesting character load and then it changes to the pic of the region you are going in and the 'ring' starts spinning to say its loading and then the spinning ring starts to lag/freeze a little and then it stops completely and then a few mins later then screen will go black and it will go back to the front screen and say "Error 303 Connection to server has timed out".

As I've mentioned I didn't have this issue before the patch (well maybe a couple times since the game was released) the main problem I had was it crashed every now and again and sometimes it came up with taking an unusually long load time message up the top (but people I know got this at the same time as well so I guess it was a server issue)

A little more info

NAT is Open
No issues connecting to other online games
I've cleared the bluray cache (apparently that could fix the crashing)
I've also done a hard reset on the console
I've also deleted the game, Done a hard reset then installed the game again along with the 19gb update (3hrs wasted)
Game is on external hard drive but always has been and I've got other games on the same drive with no issues.

Would appreciate some sort of reply on this issue as I've seen at least a few people have the issue on here now and at the moment this game is a paperweight to me.

Thanks

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

I'm having the same issue on the NA server. Good luck getting a response!

Mike_IG · September 2015

Yeah I saw yourself and some others are having the same issues, Apparently it's too much trouble for them to acknowledge our issues, Just a response to say something like we will look into it would be a start but even that appears to be too much of an effort for them.

MaxSterling · September 2015

I too am having that same issue on Xbox One. Get to the character selection screen, then after about a minute... error 303.

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

bump

MonsterPriest · September 2015

Same issue for me, character select then 303 error code.
Dont know if it makes a difference but I can log in and play without any trouble using a different xbox account. Thats the same console and internet connection just a different gt.

Mike_IG · September 2015

Are you guys who have the same issues as me in the Xbox Preview program by any chance???, I'm in it and reading the notes of the upcoming windows 10 based dash this game apparently has issues with it (although slightly different it does have signing in issues) so I'm wondering if the latest patch caused issues with the latest preview dash (non windows 10 dash obviously as the W10 version not out yet).

Even if it's not the case if you're in the preview and thinking about getting the wins 10 preview (you have to opt in again) and you play this game you may want to hold off as M$ have already mentioned signing issues with this game on the win 10 preview.

Mike_IG · September 2015

Managed to get it to load for the 1st time in around 50 attempts earlier, Turned it off as had to go out. Turn console back on when I got back home and sure enough Error 303 and no longer working again, Load up a different game and oh look it works right away with no issues.

Mike_IG · September 2015

The other games working with no issues that is, This one still doesn't work.

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

Day 3 since the IC DLC and still having the same issue. I submitted a Ticket with Tech support ans still no reply other than the automated response of it's your internet connection or xbox and not us.

Ravens-Sonata · September 2015

XB1 -- Constant skills dont show -- my restoration staff and lightening staff dont have the constant skill like before - I couldnt even tell I was attacking anything!!!! Animation of skills missing

I have a V7 V1 several lower chars and all are non playable ue to skill glitches

Didnt even try to use a wayshrine or fast travel who knows what would happen

Game crashed 3 times b4 even getting to the load screen

Guess its back to Destiny and Skyrim

Thanks ZoS for screwing up what potentially could have been a great game

P.S if you're waiting for a Legit Honest answer from ZoS - Good Luck -- They are still telling us it is out modems, routers, ISP etc --

You Can not put an update / patch on an already bugged system as it will only amplify the issues and create new ones!

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

If there are any other players also experiencing this issue, you can try to uninstall and reinstall the game, however I would highly discourage doing so as it has not resolved the issue for me at least.

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

bump

MonsterPriest · September 2015

bump

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

no change

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

day 4 and the problem hasn't been resolved

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

I took things a step further and created a new xbox live profile and attempted to log in and behold it worked, however it doesn't change the fact that I am unable to play on my original profile or with any of those characters.

Mike_IG · September 2015

That's interesting seems to point to an account issue then, I finallly got a response from my ticket today

"Thank you for contacting The Elder Scrolls Online with your issue. After review, this has been sent up to a specialized team for further investigation. A member of that team will contact you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your immense patience, and enjoy your day."

So i finally got an acknowledgement I have an issue and they are looking into it, Not the best result ever but finally a start.

Ravens-Sonata · September 2015

Mike_IG wrote: »

That's interesting seems to point to an account issue then, I finallly got a response from my ticket today

"Thank you for contacting The Elder Scrolls Online with your issue. After review, this has been sent up to a specialized team for further investigation. A member of that team will contact you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your immense patience, and enjoy your day."

So i finally got an acknowledgement I have an issue and they are looking into it, Not the best result ever but finally a start.

Good Luck!!! That is a very common response from ZoS -- I have gotten 4 responses saying the same thing since issues started in Aug - as of yet - it has only gotten worse and no further response or action on their behalf

MaxSterling · September 2015

MaxSterling wrote: »

I too am having that same issue on Xbox One. Get to the character selection screen, then after about a minute... error 303.

YOUR TICKET HAS BEEN SUBMITTED!

Thanks for submitting your question. Your reference code is: 150920-002392.

Let's see what happens, now...

MaxSterling · September 2015

09/20/2015 02:30 PM
Greetings!

Thank you for contacting The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited customer support team! We understand you are experiencing an issue logging into the game.

You can resolve most login issues by ensuring the following:

1. Your console is connected to your router with a network cable instead of WiFi
2. You have forwarded the appropriate ports in your router (please refer to your console manufacturer’s Customer Support Team for assistance)
3. You have downloaded all required System Updates for your console

If your issue continues, please refer to your console manufacturer for additional assistance. Should you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask by replying directly to this email for further assistance.

Best Regards,
The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited Team

Yeah because they're the ones that created the update which broke my game...

This is exactly why I'm even hesitant to buy a game anymore. Software companies always seem to point the finger elsewhere and not take responsibility for their *** coding. I don't know how ESO expects to get my hard earned dollars if that's how they expect to troubleshoot anything. As someone that has worked Help Desk, I'd be embarrassed to be working for a company like that.

Meanwhile, Wargaming.net has a free to play game out which managed to pry $500+ dollars from my wallet because of their customer service and support.

Vault111Dweller · September 2015

I got the EXACT same response to my trouble ticket. Use a network cable?? Really?? I have this fabulous WIRELESS gaming system and a $150 WIRELESS modem and they want me to use a cable?? That will NEVER happen....I'll trade in their piece of #%^! game first....what a ridiculous fix with all the tech we have today. FIX OUR GAMES ZOS!!

Ravens-Sonata · September 2015

ZoS no longer cares -- They have gotten their money. Obviously they can not handle the console version of this game. We have been told for mths now - We're looking into it - Yet nothing Changes.

Whoever it was that decides to put the update ON TOP of a already Bugged system obviously needs lessons in Servers and Server Files.

It was broke Before the IC update, now...... Its almost unplayable, for some it is unplayable as they can not log in - and or there are too many battle/ skill bugs and glitches.

Its sad as this game had soo much potential, however - having experience with having public gaming servers as well as being a GM on several - the next thing that is going to end up happening is the server is going to go down - complete server wipe to straighten all this out as the file corruption is going to be too bad to correct without them re-doing the server.

I would much rather them announce they are going to shut down the server and REPAIR it now before it goes into a long term shutdown and wipe, But as we all know -- ZoS doesnt listen to nor do they seem to care about their customers, and as we all know - Without us Gamers -- there wouldnt be a Server or the $$$$ they are getting from us.

Hopefully soon they will deal with all this and Repair the server, but I dont have alot of faith in them at this point.

I will continue to check and see if by some chance the game works again and of course be checking here - but I didnt pay as much $$ as I did to sit and look and the loading screen or play a severely glitched game/char.

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

there are other great titles coming to xbox this fall. I would hate to see this one become a distant memory simply because the wouldn't fix their game before the next big title comes out.

Ravens-Sonata · September 2015

They no longer care!! The only players getting regular maintenance and fixes are the PC gamers They got their money from use console gamers!!!

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

bump

MonsterPriest · September 2015

bump

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

bump

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

I have been in contact with someone on the Tech Support Escalation team, and while we haven't gotten the situation resolved yet, we have been able to rule out quite a bit.

Possible Fix 1): Power down xbox console, unplug console from power brick, switch off your modem, wait approximately 4-5 minutes, re-plug your console to power brick, switch modem back on, wait till modem is fully powered and sending/receiving information, power back on console, load game, go through usual routine. Results: Ineffective.

Possible Fix 2): Uninstall/Reinstall game. Results: Ineffective ( I strongly urge others not to do this as it is both mind-numbing and highly aggravating!!!).

Possible Fix 3): Remove your live account from your xbox console then recover said xbox live account. Results: Ineffective.

I will do my very best to keep all of you updated with my progress and hope that this open correspondence with the Tech Support Escalation team pays off. I believe that through my cooperation with them that I have them convinced of the following: 1) This is not a connectivity issue. 2) This is not an xbox live issue. 3) This is not an xbox live account issue. 4) This is a ESO account issue

xX_BLUDWULF_Xx · September 2015

Essentially I had to jump through some more hoops again since last night while communicating back and forth with the Tech Support Escalation team (Everyone affected with this issue may have to do this but you will need the aid of Tech Support in order to do so).

So, as many of you who have been following my posts know, I created a new xbox live profile and was able to successfully create and play a completely new character (Doing this you will need to create a new ESO account as well).

The Tech Support Escalation team had to disassociate my xbox live profiles from my ESO accounts. I then had to re-link those accounts but (for ease of explanation I will use "A" and "B" for the two xbox live profiles, "A" being the original xbox live profile and "B" being the new xbox live profile I created. I will use "X" and "Y" for the ESO accounts, "X" being the original and "Y" being the new one.) I had to link xbox live profile "B" with ESO account "X", and xbox live profile "A" with ESO account "Y".

The following is the steps I took, the results of those actions, and the response I sent back to them after learning the results:

1) I successfully linked the xbox live profile "B" to the ESO account "X"
2) Selected the first character in my character list and logged in successfully
3) Logged into everyone of my other characters and did so successfully

Note: Curious but not surprising was although I had the crowns that I accumulated prior to the IC DLC, it was not registering me as a ESO Plus member. I presume this is due to the fact I had purchased ESO Plus on the xbox live profile "A". Also all of the guilds that I was apart of showed in my social tab but did not check to see if my friends list was populated accordingly.

4) I successfully linked the xbox live profile "A" to the ESO account "Y"
5) Selected the character on that profile and got the "Error 303 Connection to the server has timed out." message.

This is the latest response that I have gotten from the Tech Escalation team

Hi There,

That is good(ish) news, it definitely shows that the problem has something to do with the way the Gamertag itself is interacting with our system. Definitely not a long term solution, and clearly there are problems with the fact that you are now linked to the secondary gamertag, not the least of which are that you have now lost ESO Plus benefits(as I would expect, those do stick to the Gamertag) and obviously chat, friends, achievements, etc are going to be associated with your secondary profile.

So, I am going to report all of this up the chain, and see if they can pinpoint the exact problem, but at least we know the general area to look now. For now, unless you think otherwise, I think its probably better to keep the account linked to your secondary account, which should allow you to continue to play while we work this out.

Inevitably, the question here will eventually arise, what to do about the fact that you are now out most of a month of paid ESO Plus. I'd like to help you where I can, but I do want to be upfront that my ability to compensate for that is fairly limited. The Subscription is directly tied to Xbox Billing, so I don't have a lot of control over that in the meantime. One thing you might want to try would be to see if you can get a refund for your current month, and you are free to use this ticket number as a reference if that helps xxxxxx-xxxxxx, and then pick it back up after everything is squared away, but I will leave that up to your judgement for the time being.

Thanks again, and I will follow up with you as soon as I know more.

I hope this will help you all in at least being able to play the characters you all have spent so much time in playing, hopefully the issue can be pinpointed quickly and the necessary actions need to correct it are figured out just as quickly. I will do my best to continue to post in an effort to keep all of you updated as I learn more.