Random kicks to log in screen while playing (Steam user)

Dear Technical Support Experts,
I'm a player since long time and using Steam and till now wasn't that bad. Lately I've experienced some randomly connection problem with Steam, that results in 'kick to log in' while playing PoE and a Steam account offline problem that prevents me to log in again. It all started since the 2.0.2 release of the game. Steam does work perfectly fine and does not disconnect while playing the other online game I have, it just does not go well with PoE.

I tried to look for a solution on my own, but it looks like I'm no good... tried most PoE servers, many different pc (low end, high end, laptop), some different internet providers (friends house), at different time of the day, switching auto/lockstep/predictive, every single setup option.. don't know what to try..

For more info about the server connection, I've used WinMTR on the server I usually play (milan):
The first is a game session till the kick from the game (it does not show the name of the host cause I used the ip from the 'Client.txt' log file in PoE folder; WinMTR was working fine and showed everything till I closed the game)


This one is when i tried a bit later to log in after closing and start Steam again:


The last one is from the last try using cable on Lan directly connected to my router (sorry saved as html and copy/pasted :/ )




Sorry to bother, I've tried many things on my own to fix the problem but it seems I'm no good.. I need your help, please.

PS: if anything is missing just tell me :)

bump!

often enough loosing maps (and of course due to that damned Murphy and his accursed law the best maps...)

once this sh*t started I get kicked to the login screen when trying to rejoin my map instance ...

"

Rachel_GGG wrote:

Good evening! I'm sorry to hear about these issue.

Can you please confirm whether your connection is wired or wireless, and whether you have any firewalls or antivirus that may be blocking your connection to the Path of Exile servers?

Can you also try verifying the integrity of the Path of Exile cache by following these steps:
→ Exit Steam completely
→ Run Steam as an Administrator
→ From the Library section, right-click on the game and select Properties from the menu.
→ Select the Local files tab and click the Verify integrity of game cache... button.
→ Steam will verify the game's files - this process may take several minutes.
→ Once the process is completed, the Check Window will automatically exit.

Thanks for the reply and sorry for the late answer.
I already did most of the thing you suggested, but I repeated them once again in the order you said. Tried LAN connection (10Gb/s, as it says on the cable). Firewall and antivirus are disabled (checked also the internal firewall and security of the Win7 OS). Steam always run as administrator (for all users). Checked local integrity (everything fine, and yes it takes a while).

Result: still kicked out.

After all the effort, I kinda stop doing maps and zana, it's really not funny at all to be kicked out just a millisecond before picking up a juicy currency drop on the ground..and not be able to reconnect because Steam doesn't like to go online. well, I know, it's a game, but like this.. a little fun goes away.

So you've been getting disconnected from Steam, where you can't go back online.

You've tried the following:

• Changed PoE servers, (nothing to do with Steam authentication)
• Changed computers
• Cable connection/Wifi
• Changed location/ISP
• Tried during different times to avoid congestion
• Changed the PoE protocol lag options (nothing to do with Steam)
• Changed every other option

Now, by using different computers, and also by testing at a different location+ISP, you've nearly ruled out that the problem is on your computer or on your network. You are using fresh new PoE installs on each thing, right?

It sounds like you're having a problem with the Steam's authentication, since you can't get back online. https://steamstat.us/ is good to check when you're having trouble with Steam, to see if it's really their servers.

But why would a Steam outage cause you to lose connection to PoE servers? Maybe your internet goes down, or you and your friend's ISPs are junk, and this outage makes Steam have an expired session and stay offline. Maybe you don't realize that the auth servers are down until you randomly DC from lag.

If I were you, I would download the stand-alone client, and see if those problems persisted. Stand-alone needs your account email and password, so get your PoE registered email linked to the Steam account so you can play with your characters. If you have trouble linking the Steam account, email the support staff (CONTACT SUPPORT at top of these forums).

If you still get these problems without Steam, do another MTR test and try to capture the disconnection while it happens. Begin the trace, then go on to play the game until it disconnects, then stop the trace.

"

ionface wrote:

...

Spoiler

So you've been getting disconnected from Steam, where you can't go back online.

You've tried the following:

• Changed PoE servers, (nothing to do with Steam authentication)
• Changed computers
• Cable connection/Wifi
• Changed location/ISP
• Tried during different times to avoid congestion
• Changed the PoE protocol lag options (nothing to do with Steam)
• Changed every other option

Now, by using different computers, and also by testing at a different location+ISP, you've nearly ruled out that the problem is on your computer or on your network. You are using fresh new PoE installs on each thing, right?

It sounds like you're having a problem with the Steam's authentication, since you can't get back online. https://steamstat.us/ is good to check when you're having trouble with Steam, to see if it's really their servers.

But why would a Steam outage cause you to lose connection to PoE servers? Maybe your internet goes down, or you and your friend's ISPs are junk, and this outage makes Steam have an expired session and stay offline. Maybe you don't realize that the auth servers are down until you randomly DC from lag.

If I were you, I would download the stand-alone client, and see if those problems persisted. Stand-alone needs your account email and password, so get your PoE registered email linked to the Steam account so you can play with your characters. If you have trouble linking the Steam account, email the support staff (CONTACT SUPPORT at top of these forums).

If you still get these problems without Steam, do another MTR test and try to capture the disconnection while it happens. Begin the trace, then go on to play the game until it disconnects, then stop the trace.

@ionface: Thanks for the reply :). Yes I tried even the fresh install. I posted here because I didn't know what to try next. I didn't mention the changes on the Steam settings, or the different router I used..
I know I could get the account standalone, but I want to try to fix this first. The PoE account now is linked to Steam, so if Steam goes offline, the PoE server doesn't let me play, I think it's normal, or am I wrong?

------

Today I might found a way to play thanks to my brother (who is far more crazy than me), it's a bit out of the ordinary and not resource friendly, but it seemed to work for a while today (almost one hour)..

As my bro told me:
- Start Steam
- Open friends list/chat window
- Check online status (default online on startup)
- Set the status offline (from the drop menu near your profile on the friends list/chat window)
- Wait for a couple of seconds (don't know why, but I just follow my bro suggestion)
- Set the status back online (always from friend list/chat window)
- LEAVE OPEN the friend list/chat window (not even reduced to icon in the start bar)
- Play PoE (enjoy :D)

This way I was able to do my masters (zana included) and a couple of character switch, without getting disconnected. I'll try again as soon as i have time and if I find something better, it will help anyone who get the same problem :). All is left for me is to prove me wrong, if I fail I will be sure this strange fix works.

PS: Next time I play I'll do an MTR with this trick and post it in this thread

So, after so long I found the reason why I always get dc while playing PoE on Steam. My ISP change my public IP once in a while and when it happens the Steam server kicks me, after that the PoE server does the same.
Talked to my ISP, but they do the IP change for bandwt management, so no fix for me.
In the end, the dc + the 'lag' oneshotting white packs make me ask myself why bothering.. I miss so much the hour spent gaming without any problem..

Thanks for the help anyway,
Sasagas

You may have a dynamic IP address, but that is not the reason you are being disconnected. The ISP does not simply pull the plug on you to assign you a new address, it only assigns a new IP when you connect (when the modem starts). If you were a business customer, Telecom Italia would provide you with a static IP address, but you would still have the same problem.

You can see what your external IP address is by Googling "IP". Does it change after you disconnect from PoE?

Only test while connecting directly into the modem with an ethernet cable.

ion.. thanks for the help, but your not helping at all, you just reply without reading.. please refrain from that. I already tested my problem in so many ways that you will never imagine. If i say that my ISP for bandwt problem is changing my public IP (that you can also check, as you suggested, on some sites), why are you so sure that telecom italia does that only on router reboot?
The most important part is that I spoke to my ISP customer service! I'm not guessing what could it be.. I'v been told what it is!
If you reply to raise your post count, try not to do that with me right now.. If you were actually tryng to help, try to understand what a person post means before replying. If you understand leave this thread, let it die. I should have done that too, but I don't want you to keep replying without reason.

Again: My ISP told me that for service issues sometimes the IP get a reset 'on the go' and i get a dc.. also it stops streaming (wont cache if the page is not refreshed) video.. it's their issues not mine or the router resetting itself or whatever.. I didn't want to repeat myself, but I want to share the fact that sometimes crazy sh-t happens, and you just take it as it is.

let this thread rest in peace, it's not helping, does not solve a single problem.

Perhaps you have a better grasp of your situation than I do, but I'm just responding to the things you actually tell me. You said that the ISP changes your IP address, and that causes you to disconnect, which is total bullshit. It's even hard to believe they would change your external IP during the same login session, let alone disconnect a customer for the questionable reason of readdressing their traffic. IP addressing isn't locked to one router or one ethernet port, it's a layer of abstraction above all that.

I'm not even sure if your ISP's tech isn't mistaken, thinking you're on a mobile hotspot, or just telling you they have router maintenance sometimes. Since you're insulting my integrity, and lashing out at my inability to understand your perfect English, I'm not going to follow up on your problem. I just want to correct your false beliefs for anyone else who happens to read this.