[SOLVED] "Unable to communicate with paradox server"

[KGC]

TLDR;
The issue has been resolved!
I added "-tls1.2" to my launch game parameters in Steam (Library/Games -> Magicka2/Properties -> General/Set Launch Options -> "-tls1.2"

Hello,

I've been trying to play Magicka 2 with my friend, but keep getting the error "Unable to communicate with paradox server". This happens when I start the game, and when I press the "Go Online" button in the main menu. As a side note, I've been able to play singleplayer just fine, after dismissing the error message.

When attempting to join a friend through steam friends (who can actually log in), it first shows me the "Unable to communicate with paradox server" error, and afterwards an error message like "You are not logged in, please log in to your Paradox account" (I dont recall the exact phrasing of the latter.)

I've found the log files in "%appdata%\Roaming\ParadoxInteractive\Magicka2\logs" but they are all empty.

I've attached by DxDiag dump file to this post, as it was requested for Cities: Skylines bug reports.

----- EDIT1 ------------------------------
- I am trying to connect from the Copenhagen area in Denmark.
- I have tried using my default ISP's DNS server and Google's DNS server (8.8.8.8/8.8.4.4).
- I am running Win7, english language pack, and my game seems to be using the english locale too.
- I have tried verifying the steam files integrity
- I am not able to specify which account to log into in-game
- The Paradox forum account i am using is connected to the steam accound that i am trying to play from.
- I have tried turning off Windows Firewall (i dont have other 3rd party firewalls installed)
- I have tied disabling my antivirus (Avast)
- My email, steam username and steam nickname dont contain special characters
- I have tried setting "compatibility mode: run as administrator" on Magicka2.exe, and launched via steam

What i have not yet tried:
- Connecting via a VPN (EDIT: Have tried this now, didnt work)

----- EDIT2 ------------------------------
I have tried running WireShark (package sniffer) and i have found two hostnames that seem to have relevance for magicka (api.paradoxplaza.com @ 23.21.135.41 & app.paradox-interactive.com @ 23.21.210.66 ). I dont have alot of experience with debugging raw network data, but i can export my capture file and send it to you guys at Paradox if you want.

----- EDIT3 ------------------------------
After todays patch i tried again at 14:33 and at 23:38 GMT+1 - still doesnt work. I also now redeemed my CD key on the paradox account page, which I had not done before. Still doesnt work. I have verified that the patch has been downloaded, as the config files now include the keybinding settings in the patch.

----- EDIT4 ------------------------------
I have tried connecting via VPN now, from Denmark, Germany and Netherlands. I wanted to try this as my friend from Germany who could connect to the server. I can hereby conclude that the problem is not affected by your IP in any way (not a problem with load-balancing). I suspect it might be some sort of router setting.

----- EDIT5 ------------------------------
I have been successfully able to log in on my LAPTOP in the same network as my desktop (that i have been using for all previous testing). I have not yet tested if i can play with my friend, i will test that tomorrow. The laptop is running Win8 rather than my desktop's Win7, they are both using Avast Antivirus and both using the Google DNS. This concludes that it is not a router issue that is causing the problem, but either client hardware (less likely) or client software (most likely).

----- EDIT6 ------------------------------
I have tried updating my antivirus, since i was running on a semi-old version. Still doesnt work.

----- EDIT7 ------------------------------
I have tried disabling all other network adapters, that werent my main ethernet network adapter. Still doesnt work.

----- EDIT8 ------------------------------
The issue has been resolved!
I added "-tls1.2" to my launch game parameters in Steam (Library/Games -> Magicka2/Properties -> General/Set Launch Options -> "-tls1.2"

Launching the game after adding the parameter allowed me to log in, and join a random normal game (i hereby assume it is fixed). I also tried removing the "-tls1.2" parameter again afterwards, and it still works. Seems to be related to perhaps an outdated certificate that is cached locally?

For reference, here is the developer post that helped solve resolve my issue:

I can understand the frustration with this issue. We are however unable to reproduces this inhouse for some reason. I've tried running Bitdefender, Eset and a few others without any hiccups.
As mentioned previously, make sure that you have the following hosts whitelisted and that you can resolve them. To test enter them in your browser and use HTTPS.

• api.paradoxplaza.com
• legal.paradoxplaza.com
• services.paradoxplaza.com
• opstm.paradoxplaza.com
  
• app.paradox-interactive.com

You could also try to see if forcing the handshake method to TLS1.2 works. To do this add "-tls1.2" to the launch arguments for the game in Steam (excluding the quotation marks).

If you still have this issue, it would help if you could provide your location (country/state should be enough). Might be a problem with Amazon (where the services are hosted) and how you are routed to these servers from your location.

 

[martiaL87]

same problem here

 

[Deleted member 471407]

We're currently investigating these issues. Apologies for the inconvenience caused. But just to clarify, are you trying to log into the game using the same account that you use here on the forums?

 

[Sacryn]

What region are you playing from? Language settings in the game and OS? Any specific mail domain or using "unusual" characters in email/password?

 

[[DDD]Günther]

I'm very disapointed and a bit angry... Game crashes all the time, no co-op due to "unable to communicate with the paradox server"... I bought the game and can't play it, that's really a bad work of Paradox. By the way, I have the same account for the game and for the forum

 

[martiaL87]

I am not even able to log in. I start the game in steam, start menu with " A / space to enter " and first message after that is "unable to communicate with paradox server"

 

[Deleted member 471407]

Thanks for adding the information. We're investigating.

 

[martiaL87]

Just tested it again and it works now. Thank you.

 

[KGC]

Bump, still having issues. Updated my original post with more information.

 

[KGC]

We're currently investigating these issues. Apologies for the inconvenience caused. But just to clarify, are you trying to log into the game using the same account that you use here on the forums?

I assume so - I've not been able to specify which account to use in-game though. The one im using for the forums is connected to my steam account though, through the Paradox account management page.

 

[KGC]

Bump, updated my original post with a new edit. I ran WireShark (package sniffer) and have a capture file i can share with the devs if need be. (More details in original post).

 

[Pixieboss]

Same problems here.

 

[Angirux]

Same here, i can start the game but it says unable to connect to paradox servers.

 

[legacyrelic]

i am also having the same issue despite connecting my steam account with my shiny new paradox account

 

[[DDD]Günther]

Still having massive problems, no connection to server and crashing all the time...

 

[Dengo86]

I've been having this same exact issue. I run the game and as soon as I press space bar to start the game hangs for 30 seconds to a minute and immediately returns "Unable to connect to the paradox servers." I am given no chance to enter any login credentials for an account to use or anything. Clicking the "go online" button results in the same message every time.

 

[hrhqoroses]

I've been having this same problem as well. "Unable to connect to the paradox servers." I've linked my steam account to this one, and also entered the CD Key into this account.

 

[Angirux]

I have just linked my steam account to my paradox account and entered the key in this account, but it doesnt work. I bought this game just to play with some friends like i did with Magicka 1, but i cant even play online, im a sad wizard.

 

[[DDD]Günther]

Any update about solving this problems?

 

[MasterBorg]

Any update about solving this problems?

The development team is still investigating and trying to solve this issue.