Tech Support

Unofficial Tech Support

While this wiki is officially supported by the HorizonXI staff, the support provided on this page has been provided by players. If none of the solutions below work then please check out the official HorizonXI discord for further assistance.

Error Codes

• FFXI - 2003
• FFXI - 3321
• FFXI - 3332

• POL - 0001
• POL - 0033
• POL - 0260
• POL - 3001
• POL - 3100
• POL - 3101
• POL - 3101/Post Character Select
• POL - 3113
• POL - 3301
• POL - 3305
• POL - 4001
• POL - 5273
• POL - 5284

Other Error Messages

• POL - Error Upon Character Deletion
• POL - Valid Content ID Not Found

Connection Issues

🔹 T-Mobile Home Internet

There has been numerous reports of people being unable to connect to HorizonXI while using this ISP. The only known workaround is to use a VPN.

Login Server

If you are having issues logging in, it may be worth checking whether the login server is down. You can do this by typing "Login server down?" in the #Horizon-Chat channel of the official Horizon discord.

If the login server is down, it will automatically reboot every 30 minutes, on the hour and half hour eg. 12pm, 12:30pm etc. Server maintenance is every Friday at 10am EST, which will result in the login server being down for its duration.

Horizon Launcher Issues

🔹 The launcher won't run.

You may need to make an exception with your antivirus to allow the launcher to run.

🔹 The launcher looks really zoomed in/the play button is off the screen.

Hold the control button and press the +/- keys to zoom in/out to the desired location.

🔹 Pressing the install button does nothing.

Try running the launcher as administrator.
You may need to make an exception with your antivirus to allow the launcher to make changes.

Bootloader Problems

🔹 "Closing..." in red text before the bootloader closes, but after "Sending ID":

This is usually caused by a resolution, registry, or other configuration issue. Please verify your resolutions are compatible with your monitor and are the values you wish to use, and your window mode (fullscreen/windowed/borderless window) is what you want. Make sure all elements (directplay and vs redists) were installed correctly during launcher install.

This issue is common with less common resolutions such as 2560 x 1600. To rule in/out the resolution being the issue, try setting you window, background and menu resolutions in the Horizon loader to 1600 x 900 and set to borderless windowed or windowed too. If doing this allows you to load into the game, the issue is resolution related and some trial and error will be necessary to find what will work for you.

If you’re not using the launcher, verify all registry values are correct (for example if you installed or uninstalled another ffxi client without a switch.bat you would see this).

🔹 "Failed to connect to server" followed by “Closing…” in red text:

if login server isn’t entirely down, see POL-3100/3101. Also, if all steps are followed and still seeing this every attempt while login isn’t struggling, you can try to reinstall the launcher.

🔹 The bootloader (ashita-cli.exe) will not launch when you press play on the launcher. This can happen on Windows 11 (Thank you @Arduin)

1. Open the Terminal App in Windows (NOTE: ensure you have the latest version of the Terminal App by updating it using the Microsoft Store app [Library->Get Updates] )
2. Right-click on the Terminal window title bar, then click Settings
3. Change default profile to Command Prompt
4. Change default terminal application to Windows Console Host
5. Click Save, the game should now launch properly from the launcher

🔹 The bootload returns the error message titled "ashita-cli.exe - System Error." https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x86.exe

🔹 The bootloader "fails to boot entirely".

Try reinstalling directX, found at: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35

🔹 The bootloader crashes when the game tries to launch.

Fast vsync on Nvidia cards can crash FFXI. To fix this, disable it in the Nvidia control panel under 'manage 3D settings'.

🔹 I received the message "forbidden" and the bootloader fails to launch.

This means that your account has been blocked. Contact a GM via the official Horizon discord for further information.

Lag Spikes/FPS Issues

🔹 Controller Related

The game is searching for a gamepad every 4-5 seconds but it cannot detect one. Two possible solutions: try connecting a gamepad or alternatively type the command /ashita and check the box that says "Disable Gamepad Enumeration".

🔹 System Related

FFXI has been shown to run better with less applications running alongside it. Try closing as many unnecessary programs as possible to increase FSP/decrease lag spikes. See https://discord.com/channels/933423693848260678/1066426816870490182 for further information.

You may also wish to follow these video guides, which can be found in the pins of the mentioned discord channel.
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpsoOP1OPos
* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuLW2Ss9r9A 

🔹 Reshade

If you are using reshade, certain shaders can cause the game to lag. You will have to do your own testing here to see what suits your system but it's recommended to use as few shaders as possible and to use ones that at aren't as intensive.

🔹 Addons

* Having numerous addons loaded can reduce frame rate. Try reducing the amount to improve performance.
* The addons Minimap and Timers specifically can cause issues. Try unloading them to see if that improves things.
* The addon Drawdistance can cause fps issues if it's settings are too high. Try reducing the amounts eg. "/drawdistance setworld 1" (minimum).

🔹 In-game Solutions

* Try turning off weather effects and/or shadows found within the in-game config menus.
* Try /localsettings blureffect off.

Crashes

🔹 "FFXI force closing when alt-tab'ing"

* Change settings within "User Account Control" to "do not dim" or lower.
* Set the game window to "borderless windowed" within the bootloader.

🔹 "FFXI force closes when I open Steam/Battle.net launcher/another game etc."

* Opening certain aps/games causes the graphics driver to reset, causing FFXI to crash. To prevent this, you can use a proxy eg. dgVoodoo2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuLW2Ss9r9A

🔹 You are crashing or disconnecting whilst in-game and receiving this code. You may also find that it is limited to certain zones only.

Try renaming your "USER" folder to "USER_backup". Caution: before doing this be aware that this will likely delete all of your macros so ensure you have attempted all other potential fixes first.

The user folder can be found via Horizon > Squae Enix > FFXI > USER.

🔹 I crash every time I zone into a certain zone(s).

* A GM call via discord is likely to be necessary to move your character.
* Try restarting your router.
* Using any /fps other than /fps 2 can cause this issue for some players. See if changing to it stops the issue.
* There may be a conflict between your ISP and the zone cluster. Trying a VPN may resolve the issue.
* There could be a corrupt file somewhere. Re-installing may fix it.
* Ashenbubs texture pack has been known to cause this issue. Try turning them off either via the launcher or with the /pivot in-game.

🔹 I disconnect shortly after loading into the game.

Try reapplying the most up to date patch.

New Player Issues

🔹 My inventory gets full really quickly and items don't stack themselves.

Go into the menus, Config > Gameplay > Sort and turn it on.

🔹 My weapon skill has prematurely capped.

1. Try unequipping and re-equipping your weapon/shield.
2. Try zoning/re-logging.

🔹 I didn't receive my first weapon skill at skill level 5.

In era the first weapon skills are only available from skill level 10.

In-game Issues

🔹 I have become stuck somewhere and have no way of getting out.

If you have no alternate way of escaping (eg. Warp, d2) try in this order:
1. Re-logging.
2. The command "!unstuck". Warning: this command comes with a 20 minute terror effect where no actions can be taken during that time, to prevent it being abused. 
3. GM Call.

🔹 My game is mirroring (menus may or may not also mirror). 🔹 I'm getting double windows/black windows while in-game.

Try turning off 3D LCD option under the 'graphics' tab in the launcher.

🔹 "My game crashed and now all of my macros have dissappeared" OR "My macros have just disappeared."

Unfortunately this issue really sucks and there is no known way to recover lost macros. Going forward you should periodically make a backup of of your 'User' folder which can be found at: Horizon > Game > SquareEnix > FINAL FANTASY XI >USER

🔹 The game is forcing the Ashenbub's textures after I turned them off in the launcher.

Use the command /pivot in-game and turn them off from there.

🔹 I used the command /clock and my chat log vanished!

* The log is likely to return but slowly.
* To fix the issue, a relog should do the trick.
* To prevent loss of the log in the future, use the Ashita/Logs addon.

Quest Related

🔹 I have killed 100 mobs for the Dark Knight quest but it won't let me progress.

1. First of all double check the quest Blade of Darkness and that you haven't killed any mobs with weapon skills etc.
2. Horizon features custom mobs which sadly don't count towards the count. Typically these will be level 1 mobs outside a cities gates, for this quest.
3. Use the addon 'mobdb' to differentiate between era and non era mobs.

* Once the addon is loaded, type /mobdb
* Click 'edit tokes'
* Type "add $dynamic" to the 'Mob Targeted' line.
* When checking mobs, mobdb will state 'static' for era mobs and 'dynamic' for Horizon specific ones.

🔹 I've become stuck in a cutscene.

1. Press the printscreen button. This will possibly take a screenshot of your game but has been know to fix a stuck cutscene also.
2. If you're using the addon Enternity, try disabling it and trying the cutscene again.
3. Having FPS set at /fps 1 (60fps) or more can be the cause. Try the cutscene in /fps2.

Mog House/Inventory Related

🔹 Unable to change job, selections greyed out.

1. Try zoning.
2. Try relogging.
3. Unload the addon "Simplelog" and then zone.

🔹 An item has gone missing from my inventories OR I received a drop and is missing/not in my inventory.

1. First of all make sure this item is definitely missing. Items can be easily misplaced with so many places to store them. The easiest way to do this is to use the 'Find' addon. Once loaded, type "/find itemname" in-game. The addon will tell you where it is located, if it's there. 
2. If you are using the 'Logs' addon, search the logs from the day(s) that you received the item. These logs can be found via HorizonXI > Game > chatlogs. This addon is worth having for the future for this reason, if you don't already use it.
3. Place a GM call via discord.

🔹 I have the mob satchel on one character but it isn't working on others.

It's likely that the Harlequin discord bot needs to resync to apply it to all characters. This can be done via https://auth.horizonxi.com/ or the link can be found on the Horizon discord too.

🔹 I cannot change jobs. They have all disappeared on the list when I try to.

Try a zone and then re-logging if that doesn't work.
A likely cause of this issue is the addon 'Simplelog'. Unload the addon and then zone/relog.

Graphical Issues

🔹 Flickering textures.

1. Try changing your background resolution in the launcher > settings > graphics. 4096 x 4096 has been reported to cause issues and changing this to 2048 x 2048 was a reported solution.
2. It's been reported that setting a lockstyle via the menus can cause flickering textures. A suggested solution was to equip the desired equipment and type /lockstyle on to set it.
3. If you use the atom0s d3d8.dll proxy then try updating the ini file. This can be found via the path HorizonXI > Game > bootloader > d3d8. Open this file up, find "[Fix_ShadowZFighting]" and set it to "enabled = 1".

🔹 I have icons appearing on screen in-game that don't appear to be related to HorizonXI.

You may have another program running that is using an overlay, such as Nvidia GeForce. Try closing the program/turn off the overlay for HorizonXI.

Gamepad Issues

🔹 "Enable gamepad when game is inactive" isn't working.

* Load the text file found via HorizonXI > Game > scripts > default.txt
* Add the line " /gamepad allowbg1 " under the heading "Custom User Settings".
* Save the file and close.

🔹 Windows 11, buttons mapped strangely, dpad and/or triggers not working.

See this post from Atom0s on Horizon's discord. https://discord.com/channels/933423693848260678/1124193497440854106/1125319195035439165

🔹 Gamepad doesn't respond in "Gamepad Config"

Check in your device manager (on windows Settings > Devices for multiple controllers being connected. Having multiple connected at the same time can cause this issue. To resolve, remove the gamepad you don't wish to use. A restart may then be needed for this to take effect.

🔹 Joystick isn't working in-game (I can't move with it) but works in gamepad config.

A common cause of this issue is not having a compatible version of directx. The correct ones can be downloaded here https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/download/details.aspx?id=35. Following the download wizard should allow you to install them alongside any pre-existing directx versions you currently have.

This solution has been reported to fix a number of other issues too so it's worth trying if you are experiencing other gamepad related problems.

🔹 Gamepad detected when tested in "FFXiPadConfig.exe" but not working in-game

* Launch the Horizon loader. In "settings" select "open gamepad config".
* Ensure "Enable game", "enable force feedback" and "enable XInput" boxes are all checked.
* Select one of the predefined options or configure your gamepad as you wish. Make sure the gamepad is being recognized in "test gamepad" and save when done. If it isn't being recognized, there is a further issue than what this covers.

* Open "Registry Editor".
* Follow the path: HK_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > WOW6432Node > PlayOnlineUS > SquareEnix > FinalFantasyXI
* Locate "padmode" and "padsin"
* Copy the values for both, listed under the "data" column, into notepad.
* Next in "File Explorer" locate C:\Users\User Name\Documents\My Games\FFXI\HorizonXI\Game\config\boot , replacing "User Name" with your own and "edit" the file "horizonxi.ini" with notepad.
* Scroll to the bottom and locate "padmode" and "padsin" again. Replace the existing figures with the ones that you have copied from the registry. After the last digit of "padsin", add a full stop. Eg. " 4,11,-1. "
* Save the close.
* Next open "File Explorer" again. Go to the path C:\Users\User Name\AppData\Roaming\HorizonXI-Launcher again replacing "User Name" with your own. Edit the file "config.json" with notepad once again.
* Search for (CTRL+F) for "padmode" and "padsin". Once again replace the values with the ones you copied from the registry. Save and close.
* Try your controller!

* If you prefer to follow a video of the process, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UYdFoaVnOE&t=144s.