one directional network issue - I can send data to the server but not receive

[ghen]

I've been working on this problem for a day now with the help of Digimatt and Laerun on the discord. Figured it was about time to upload some log files.

Ongoing symptoms: Can't see available modules, can't see created characters, can't see text in the chat box and can't see rolled dice results.
Anyone else connected can see me rolling dice, typing, creating characters, etc.

A second computer in the house can connect to that same GM with no issues, so the problem seems to be on one single client computer
Client is running windows 11, desktop computer, single network interface (ethernet), no antivirus installed

Other information:
the GM is currently on test campaign with no extensions so that I can run tests
The client computer has connected to this GM for the past two years with no issues
Other players can connect just fine to the live game
double checked firewall rules, everything normal with fantasygrounds.exe allowed as well as the updater and fgupdaterengine
cleaned out the vault and settings via the updater options
reinstalled fg in a different folder for force a new firewall exception to be built
verified new firewall exception is correct
rebooted recently and tested again
updated windows and tested again

The log file attached should be very small as its from the reinstalled FGU in a new /program files/ folder but it should show the problem as I've connected since reinstalling a few times.

[Zacchaeus]

The player logs indicate that there is a blocking operation interrupting the connection between host and client. It doesn't say what that blocking operation is but there's usually two main culprits; either anti virus or some Quality of Service or flood protection setting on the router. Depending on your ISP you might have to switch either of the latter two off by connecting to your account via the ISPs website (some ISPs don't want you messing with router settings).

Make sure that you have whitelisted FGVTT in your anti virus (even if you don't have a 3rd party AV you'll have Windows Defender). If you have already whitelisted FGVTT then it wouldn't do any harm to delete the existing rule and create a new one.

One other thought is that if you are using a VPN try turning that off.

[ghen]

There's no VPN on either side. The client only has windows defender and fantasy grounds is whitelisted as I said. Even after reinstall, I went back in to verify it was whitelisted again under the new /program files/ folder and it was.

I'm under the assumption that if there was a problem in my router it would affect both computers behind the router. I was able to connect to the GM with a 2nd computer in the same network as the problem computer just fine. The router is a default configuration verizon fios (leased) router.

So I don't think either of those main culprits apply here.

[Zacchaeus]

There's no VPN on either side. The client only has windows defender and fantasy grounds is whitelisted as I said. Even after reinstall, I went back in to verify it was whitelisted again under the new /program files/ folder and it was.

I'm under the assumption that if there was a problem in my router it would affect both computers behind the router. I was able to connect to the GM with a 2nd computer in the same network as the problem computer just fine. The router is a default configuration verizon fios (leased) router.

So I don't think either of those main culprits apply here.

Are you able to connect from the problem computer via another network such as a mobile hotspot? If so this might help narrow things down for you.

[Nylanfs]

His secondary computer is on the same network and works fine.

I wonder if that computer was the GM and somebody tried connecting what would happen?

[Trenloe]

The player logs indicate that there is a blocking operation interrupting the connection between host and client.
You see this in most logs in the beginning as FG determines which Network Interface to use for connection to the cloud. If these were occurring once fully connected to the GM via the cloud connection broker, then they would need to be looked into.

[ghen]

It's a desktop computer, so I can't use another network on it. But I can use other computers on the same network, and they're all fine.

I connected to a random game that didn't have a password on it and that was OK too.

[LordEntrails]

The client only has windows defender and fantasy grounds is whitelisted as I said. Even after reinstall, I went back in to verify it was whitelisted again under the new /program files/ folder and it was.

Did you actually delete the rule, reboot your computer and then recreate the rule? Sometimes the rules get stale/broken.

[ghen]

Did you actually delete the rule, reboot your computer and then recreate the rule? Sometimes the rules get stale/broken.

Installing FG to a new directory creates a new rule and ignores the old rule anyway, but just to be complete I deleted the firewall rules without uninstalling, rebooted, and let it recreate normally on connection this morning. Same result.

Also, yesterday I tested connecting to a different friend's passworded game and that was a success as well. So its still only this one computer to only one GM, with everything else for both of us being normal.

[Mephisto]

A friend of mine had an issue for 2 computers connection because one considered the network as a Public network and not as a Private one. It's just a shoot in the dark but maybe that's the case and causing trouble.

[Trenloe]

Also, yesterday I tested connecting to a different friend's passworded game and that was a success as well. So its still only this one computer to only one GM, with everything else for both of us being normal.
So, there's something either on your end that's blocking some data from the GM or something on the GM's end that is blocking sending data.

Can you do a test and get the FG logs from both the GM and the player side during the test - no other players connected. Try a simple test - get the GM to share a small image and, assuming the player side doesn't receive it, give it a minute or two and then compile the logs on both the GM side and the player side, then post those here.

[ddavison]

This is a bit of a stretch, but is your computer name something offensive, or does it have any offensive words within the name? If the GM has some sort of filtering, it could be blocking or changing traffic that is inbound/outbound. That would still allow another PC on the same network to connect to the GM but still cause issues for your connection.

[Nylanfs]

Maybe connecting to their phone via hotspot? Would eliminate the network as a variable.

[LordEntrails]

Or special characters in the computer name or the campaign name? Really reaching here...

[ghen]

Ok performing Trenloe's complete test tonight sometime

DD and Lord: No funny characters or offensive names. The problem computer is named desktop-whatever lol. the generic windows name.

Nylanfs: the computer doesn't have wifi so that test is unavailable, but there are other computers on the same network that do not have this problem so that goes a long way to show the problem isn't in the router. Its a simple network, 2 computers on ethernet, several wifi devices -> router -> internet.

edit: I haven't completed this test yet, didn't want to bump the post until I do

[Trenloe]

...but there are other computers on the same network that do not have this problem so that goes a long way to show the problem isn't in the router.
I'd keep an open mind as to any possibility at this point.

Another test to do, if you have access to a VPN (or can get a VPN trial), is to try using FG with a VPN connection.

[Nylanfs]

You can hotspot via a USB or USB-C cable I believe. :)