Started with free trial, bought starter edition and now the game doesn't launch?

[Savage]

As the title says. I played until about level 20 and decided to get the starter edition upgrade. This turned out to be a mistake i guess because immediately following the purchase the game will not even launch anymore and just sits in an endless "Preparing FINAL FANTASY XIV online files for install" screen. Can someone help? I feel like i just threw $20 in the toilet

[Savage]

Rather than deleting this i figured id post the fix that i found for anyone in the future.

Step 1: Top left click steam -----> Settings --------> Downloads ----> Clear download cache.
you will have to relog when you do this.

Step 2: Click install in library. You should have the option to install. On the first menu change the drive that you are downloading the game to. I changed from my D drive to my C drive. Installed on C and delete following launching the program. Now hit install and select your originally desired drive and reinstall the game and log in. From there go to the mog shop with your Key (It should allow you to copy to clipboard when you launch) and you will follow the prompts to upgrade your edition from the mog shop.

[Dezruak]

When you say you downloaded the free trial do you mean from the square website?
I was also wondering if I decided to buy the steam version if I would have to re-download it or not

[Savage]

Originally posted by Dezruak:

When you say you downloaded the free trial do you mean from the square website?
I was also wondering if I decided to buy the steam version if I would have to re-download it or not

Nope, i used the free trial on steam. If you already have a character for some reason everyone says you cannot use it on the steam edition. If you plan on playing just start with the steam edition and play that throughout. If you do the free trial version on steam uninstall it before you purchase the starter edition to avoid the client replacing the free trial edition in your library and mistaking the game as uninstalled and stopping the game from launching/installing properly. Technically the free trial and starter edition are different, yet the same, because it runs on 3rd party proprietary software unfortunately.

Step 1: play free trial
Step 2: If you decide to upgrade. Delete the original trial launcher/game
Step 3: Buy starter/complete edition, redownload the game and login. your character will be waiting for you on your account.

[Dezruak]

Looks like I need to re-download the steam version then. Bummer.

Thanks.

[Jaize]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic but it noticed you saying you got to lv20 and wondering if you're still a newer player, are you familiar with the recruit a friend campaign? You still have to be new to participate and it's the >ONLY< way to get some exclusive promotional items such as the 'Fist Bump Emote' and the stylish "Friendship Circlet" headpiece which also boosts exp you gain up to a certain point. You also get additional Silver Chocobo Feathers you can trade to the Calamity Salvager for even more free gear at various levels the most useful are lv50/60/70 gear.

If you're interested here's the official website with all the details:

https://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodestone/special/friend_recruit/

You're also going to need a recruitment code from someone to get these if you need one you can use this one:

Recruitment Code
GJ28W3FD