FFXIV: World Data Could Not Be Obtained [FIXED]

The FFXIV "World Data could not be obtained" error has plagued every Final Fantasy XIV player since the game was released. Until now, the error code has not gotten any official resolution from Square Enix. The error message is extremely persistent and does not necessarily explain the problem, which makes it incredibly frustrating. This error message can appear virtually anywhere. Although, you are most likely to encounter it when trying to join a Final Fantasy 14 server.

The error indicates that you failed to communicate with the FFXIV servers. This is why it can occur in several places that require direct communication between you and the servers.

Of course, there can only be two primary suspects in this case; the FFXIV servers or your internet connection. If the issue arises from the server end, it could mean they are offline due to maintenance or encountering technical difficulties.

On the other hand, diagnosing the exact problem can be slightly tricky if your internet is to blame. It could be slow network speeds, closed ports, or NAT issues causing the "World Data could not be obtained" error. These things commonly contribute to most communication problems you encounter in most games.

First, you must eliminate the possibility of the servers experiencing downtime. You can easily confirm this by starting the FFXIV launcher and looking at the icons next to each server.

If the server (referred to as "World") you’re using is highlighted green, then the "World Data could not be obtained" error is not caused by any issues on the server's side. If the icon is yellow or red, you should wait until the servers are up and running again.

That only leaves your internet connection. Before anything else, restart your network router. It's quick and can be very helpful in improving your internet connection. If the error persists after a router reboot, try out all of the solutions mentioned below until the error is fixed.

The default DNS server provided by your internet service provider may not be optimal. It might have slow communication speeds or experience frequent downtime for specific IP addresses. These default DNS servers often lead to FFXIV errors like these. Therefore, you should switch to the foolproof public DNS server provided by Google.

Here is how you can do it on your Microsoft Windows PC:

Closed ports are often the leading cause of most network-related errors. Ports are unique numbers that help in the communication between two network endpoints. When a crucial Port of a network endpoint you’re trying to reach gets blocked, it stops the flow of data packets. This will likely lead to the world data communication error in FFXIV. To fix this, you can manually open the ports required by the FFXIV servers.

Do note that you should avoid opening ports that you don't need. For example, PC players do not need to open ports for other platforms. With that in mind, here is the list of all the port ranges you need for FFXIV.

Steam :

PlayStation 4 & 5

Follow these steps to open ports on your network router:

Your NAT Type is another crucial factor in ensuring smooth network communication. Your NAT is what pushes data packets forward to reach their destination. Without this NAT restriction, the data packets cannot travel even if they know the intended destination. There are three different NAT types; NAT Type 1 (Open), NAT Type 2 (Moderate), and NAT Type 3 (Strict).

The best-case scenario is an Open NAT type. It ensures seamless communication with no interruptions. A Moderate NAT type is also acceptable and effectively fulfills its purpose. Finally, a Strict NAT type is what causes all the problems. If your NAT type is strict, it is likely the culprit behind almost all the communication errors you might be experiencing.

Before modifying your NAT type, you must verify if it's strict. If it is not, you do not have to change anything.

Here's how you can check your NAT type on your PC:

This is how you can verify your NAT type on a PlayStation 4 & 5:

Players with a Strict NAT type should now move on to changing it. The easiest way is to enable UPnP in your Router settings. This is how you can do it:

FFXIV is the biggest MMORPG of the decade. Despite being an ancient game, it still boasts an impressive number of dedicated players, which only seems to be increasing. Now that you have resolved the error of "World Data could not be obtained," check out the FFXIV Leveling Guide 1-90. Also, learn about the best ways to get company seals and reach greater heights in FFXIV.

If the fault is not on your end, you must wait until the devs address the server issue.

Switching to Google's default DNS server can resolve potential conflicts in certain DNS servers. It will also optimize your route and get you faster network communication speeds.

If UPnP is ineffective, your Internet Service Provider likely restricts the NAT from their end. In this case, you must contact your ISP to discuss these NAT issues.

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