The Client Settings Data Backup feature consistently reports that the backup completed successfully through both the FINAL FANTASY XIV Launcher and the in-game Client Settings Backup system. However, after restarting the launcher or the game, the Character Select screen continues to display the same historical backup timestamp instead of the newly created backup.
This issue has persisted for over one year despite completing all troubleshooting provided by Square Enix Customer Support.
Bug Report Template
Date & Time:
July 30, 2026 (Issue has been occurring for over one year.)
Frequency:
Always (100% reproducible)
World name:
Balmung
Character name:
Prophecy Star
Retainer name:
N/A
NPC name:
N/A
Monster name:
N/A
Class/Level:
Warrior / Samurai / Level 100
Party or solo:
Solo
In-game time:
Any
Area and coordinates:
Character Select Screen / System Configuration / Client Settings Backup
Housing:
N/A
Issue Description
Whenever I perform a Client Settings Backup, the launcher and in-game UI both report that the backup completed successfully.
However, after closing and restarting the launcher or game, the Character Select screen continues displaying the same historical Client Settings Backup date instead of the newly created backup.
The backup appears successful locally, but the server backup timestamp never updates.
Steps to Reproduce
Open the FINAL FANTASY XIV Launcher.
Perform a backup using the Launcher Backup Tool.
Launch FINAL FANTASY XIV.
Perform both:
Client Settings Backup
Character Settings Backup
Confirm the backup completes successfully.
Exit the game completely.
Close the launcher.
Restart the launcher.
Return to the Character Select screen.
Observe that the Client Settings Backup date still displays the same historical timestamp rather than the newly completed backup.
Expected Result
After a successful Client Settings Backup:
The latest backup should synchronize with the server.
The Character Select screen should display the new backup date and time.
Future restores should use the newest uploaded configuration.
Actual Result
The backup process reports success.
After restarting:
The Character Select screen still displays the same historical backup date.
The backup timestamp never updates.
It appears the server never synchronizes the latest backup despite reporting success.
Troubleshooting Already Completed
At the request of Square Enix Customer Support, I have completed all available troubleshooting, including:
Verified Documents\My Games\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn is not set to Read-only.
Confirmed Microsoft OneDrive is not being used.
Confirmed no other cloud synchronization software is managing the game folder.
Ran the FINAL FANTASY XIV Launcher as Administrator.
Performed backups using the Launcher Backup Tool.
Performed Client Settings Backup and Character Settings Backup in-game.
Restarted both the launcher and the game multiple times.
Tested after disabling potential local interference.
Submitted screenshots of:
Client Settings Backup
Launcher Backup Tool
Shared Data
Submitted Launcher System Information Report.
Submitted backup configuration files.
Support confirmed that I have completed all available troubleshooting steps and recommended submitting this report to the development team.
Additional Testing
I also tested Configuration Sharing (Shared Data).
Unlike Client Settings Backup, Shared Data uploads successfully.
The server correctly records:
Upload Date
Expiration Date
Share Code
This demonstrates that communication with the server is functioning.
The problem appears isolated to the Character Select Client Settings Backup service.
Possible Area for Investigation
The issue may involve one or more of the following:
Client Settings Backup timestamp not refreshing.
Character Select screen displaying stale backup information.
Server synchronization failure after backup completes.
Account-specific backup metadata not updating.
Backup service returning a successful completion message even though the server record is never updated.
Impact
I rely heavily on my saved configuration, including:
HUD layouts
Hotbars
Character settings
System settings
Gear Sets
Display preferences
100 custom macros
Because the server backup date never updates, I cannot verify whether these settings are actually protected.
This has also prevented me from reinstalling the game, as I cannot risk losing my macros and UI configuration while the backup system appears unable to verify that my latest settings have been synchronized.
Connection Specs
Type of internet connection/provider:
FIBER 1G up and down / AT&T
Modem maker/model number:
WPS / BGW210
-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-
Processor AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core Processor (3.70 GHz)
Installed RAM 64.0 GB
Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER (16 GB)
Storage 1.72 TB of 1.82 TB used
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Laptop Model Name:
N/A (Desktop PC)
Laptop Model Number:
N/A
Gamepad Manufacturer:
N/A
Gamepad Model Name:
N/A
Gamepad Part Number:
N/A
Browser Information
Name and version of browser currently in use:
Chrome is up to date
Version 151.0.7922.72 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Internet Explorer Version:
N/A
■ PS4 Specs
Model Number of the PlayStation®4 You Are Using:
N/A
Model Number of the PlayStation®Vita You Are Using:
N/A
Information About the Peripherals You Are Using:
N/A
Thank you for taking the time to review this report. I hope the information gathered during my support case assists the development team in identifying whether this is a client display issue, a server synchronization issue, or another defect affecting the Client Settings Data Backup system.
Continue reading...
This issue has persisted for over one year despite completing all troubleshooting provided by Square Enix Customer Support.
Bug Report Template
Date & Time:
July 30, 2026 (Issue has been occurring for over one year.)
Frequency:
Always (100% reproducible)
World name:
Balmung
Character name:
Prophecy Star
Retainer name:
N/A
NPC name:
N/A
Monster name:
N/A
Class/Level:
Warrior / Samurai / Level 100
Party or solo:
Solo
In-game time:
Any
Area and coordinates:
Character Select Screen / System Configuration / Client Settings Backup
Housing:
N/A
Issue Description
Whenever I perform a Client Settings Backup, the launcher and in-game UI both report that the backup completed successfully.
However, after closing and restarting the launcher or game, the Character Select screen continues displaying the same historical Client Settings Backup date instead of the newly created backup.
The backup appears successful locally, but the server backup timestamp never updates.
Steps to Reproduce
Open the FINAL FANTASY XIV Launcher.
Perform a backup using the Launcher Backup Tool.
Launch FINAL FANTASY XIV.
Perform both:
Client Settings Backup
Character Settings Backup
Confirm the backup completes successfully.
Exit the game completely.
Close the launcher.
Restart the launcher.
Return to the Character Select screen.
Observe that the Client Settings Backup date still displays the same historical timestamp rather than the newly completed backup.
Expected Result
After a successful Client Settings Backup:
The latest backup should synchronize with the server.
The Character Select screen should display the new backup date and time.
Future restores should use the newest uploaded configuration.
Actual Result
The backup process reports success.
After restarting:
The Character Select screen still displays the same historical backup date.
The backup timestamp never updates.
It appears the server never synchronizes the latest backup despite reporting success.
Troubleshooting Already Completed
At the request of Square Enix Customer Support, I have completed all available troubleshooting, including:
Verified Documents\My Games\FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn is not set to Read-only.
Confirmed Microsoft OneDrive is not being used.
Confirmed no other cloud synchronization software is managing the game folder.
Ran the FINAL FANTASY XIV Launcher as Administrator.
Performed backups using the Launcher Backup Tool.
Performed Client Settings Backup and Character Settings Backup in-game.
Restarted both the launcher and the game multiple times.
Tested after disabling potential local interference.
Submitted screenshots of:
Client Settings Backup
Launcher Backup Tool
Shared Data
Submitted Launcher System Information Report.
Submitted backup configuration files.
Support confirmed that I have completed all available troubleshooting steps and recommended submitting this report to the development team.
Additional Testing
I also tested Configuration Sharing (Shared Data).
Unlike Client Settings Backup, Shared Data uploads successfully.
The server correctly records:
Upload Date
Expiration Date
Share Code
This demonstrates that communication with the server is functioning.
The problem appears isolated to the Character Select Client Settings Backup service.
Possible Area for Investigation
The issue may involve one or more of the following:
Client Settings Backup timestamp not refreshing.
Character Select screen displaying stale backup information.
Server synchronization failure after backup completes.
Account-specific backup metadata not updating.
Backup service returning a successful completion message even though the server record is never updated.
Impact
I rely heavily on my saved configuration, including:
HUD layouts
Hotbars
Character settings
System settings
Gear Sets
Display preferences
100 custom macros
Because the server backup date never updates, I cannot verify whether these settings are actually protected.
This has also prevented me from reinstalling the game, as I cannot risk losing my macros and UI configuration while the backup system appears unable to verify that my latest settings have been synchronized.
Connection Specs
Type of internet connection/provider:
FIBER 1G up and down / AT&T
Modem maker/model number:
WPS / BGW210
-=-=-=-=- System Information -=-=-=-=-
Processor AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12-Core Processor (3.70 GHz)
Installed RAM 64.0 GB
Graphics card NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER (16 GB)
Storage 1.72 TB of 1.82 TB used
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Laptop Model Name:
N/A (Desktop PC)
Laptop Model Number:
N/A
Gamepad Manufacturer:
N/A
Gamepad Model Name:
N/A
Gamepad Part Number:
N/A
Browser Information
Name and version of browser currently in use:
Chrome is up to date
Version 151.0.7922.72 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Internet Explorer Version:
N/A
■ PS4 Specs
Model Number of the PlayStation®4 You Are Using:
N/A
Model Number of the PlayStation®Vita You Are Using:
N/A
Information About the Peripherals You Are Using:
N/A
Thank you for taking the time to review this report. I hope the information gathered during my support case assists the development team in identifying whether this is a client display issue, a server synchronization issue, or another defect affecting the Client Settings Data Backup system.
Continue reading...