I started one of the other threads on this problem:

https://wolcengame.com/forum/bugs-issues/technical-connection-issues/black-screen-after-wolcen-splash-screen/

So I figured I would give this a try again, specifically with an Austria based VPN connection as I had tried multiple other sites in the US and a few other countries. Alas, it did not allow me to connect with the one character I have that gets the black screen.

Kalaxis

> FYI I live in northern germany and have a local internet provider, which only provides in 3 close cities.

Is your provider by chance htp?

My provider is actually htp. :D You got the same probs I guess?

I've just read your thread. Sounds a bit more specific in your case. I heard of a bug that characters which did something in the endgame, especially some of the research to improve gear, have issues starting the game. Are you one of those?
Otherwise I couldn't think of a reason, why one character works and the next one doesn't. You might have to wait for the next patch / maintenance.

Best of luck!

yes, but the problem seems not at our providers side. May be the provider ip is blocked on the server or so?

just did a tracert to one of the gameservers, any help is highly appreciated:

1 1 ms 1 ms 1 ms xyz.xyz [192.xxx.xxx.xxx]
2 3 ms 2 ms 2 ms a81-xxx-xxx-xxx.net-htp.de [81.xxx.xxx.xxx]
3 3 ms 3 ms 2 ms a81-xxx-xxx-xxx.net-htp.de [81.xxx.xxx.xxx]
4 3 ms 3 ms 3 ms xe-0-0-0-0.HRA-R-P-00.net-htp.de [81.14.249.187]
5 24 ms 17 ms 11 ms 99.82.183.144
6 10 ms 9 ms 9 ms 52.93.244.13
7 9 ms 8 ms 8 ms 54.239.107.61
8 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
9 32 ms 32 ms 31 ms 150.222.240.224
10 32 ms 32 ms 31 ms 52.93.133.236
11 35 ms 31 ms 31 ms 52.93.128.160
12 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
13 32 ms 31 ms 31 ms 52.93.6.210
14 31 ms 39 ms 31 ms 52.93.101.9
15 32 ms 31 ms 32 ms 52.93.101.16
16 37 ms 30 ms 30 ms 52.93.7.53
17 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
18 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
19 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
20 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
21 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
22 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
23 * * * Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung.
...

Link to screenshot: https://ibb.co/Zh5k9N4

"Zeitüberschreitung der Anforderung" means "Request timed out"

I am not an expert at network technic, but the timeouts might not be an issue at all. You can see that it only takes 31ms which is not really high and would be no reason for a timeout due to maximum waiting time for a response. It is more likely, that the servers in between as well as the severs in the end are blocking the pings/tracert for security reasons.

"However, many people block ICMP/ping for security reasons, like preventing hackers from getting information about open ports and staving off denial of service attacks. When ping is blocked, the server doesn’t respond at all, resulting in “request timed out” messages that prevent traceroute from ever being able to map the path to the final destination."

btw I tried the same with another VPN server, since the one from austria had some connection failures which lead to many disconnects in Wolcen (which throw you back to main menu) and it worked with a german VPN server as well. I guess it is a provider thing, that it doesn't work for everyone.

What exactly is the cause might be researchable via Wireshark. I will leave it to the professionals, since I am not experienced enough with that. :D

MAN!!! IT WORKS! FU ALL! After installing a VPN Client, i could instantly start the game without problems!!!! Since release i coundt start any online game! Always blackscreen! Im from south Germany. Now its a question what to do?! Should i speak with my local Internet provider? Should Devs read and change something? PLS DEVS READ THIS HERE!

Exactly the same. Worked for me too!

The VPN solution works. But we definitely need the fix.

Hey , a friend of mine have the same problem and vpn works kind of. His ping is to high for good gaming. Does anybody know a good free VPN ? also from germany

I would like to see some comments from devs here. This is a seriously problem in the game. I dont want to buy VPN possibility to play the game, but i couldnt find any other solutions for this problem.

totally agree!

don't work for me sadly - bought extra a monthly vpn :(

What happens when you're connected to VPN and try to start the game? Some VPN servers have instable connectivity and therefore Wolcen might kick you right out again. ^^

I'm on the west coast of the U.S., attempting this VPN fix did not work for me. Is there anything else involved with it
other than just linking to Australia? Do I need to change network settings in game as well?

I am also having the same issue on the west coast.

I corrected that, the issue doesn't seem to be location related, but rather provider based. Therefore it makes no difference, if you're connecting to Austria, Australia or somewhere else. Just look for a stable VPN connection (longer DCs from VPN result in disconnects ingame, which makes runs in lategame impossible), it can even be in your country.

50 km away from my home at my parents I didn't have the black screen issue, but they also have a different internet provider.