Booted from DCS Because "Login Expired"

[Rex]

I'm really pissed off today.  I've gotten the "you can only use free modules" popup several times, and now just I got booted from my DCS session because the "Login Expired".

Seriously?  This is the new acceptable?

This switch to an always-on connection is abhorrent, repugnant, and just play wrong, and if it's not criminal it very well should be because it punishes customers (and only customers) when anything less than perfect network conditions arise.  This is that case whether that imperfection has anything to do with the customer or not. 

I don't mind paying $1,000+ for DCS modules, they are worth every penny in my opinion.  I do mind, however, when I cannot use them, solely so that ED can look after it's own interests while wiping it's backside with my interests.  It's going to take one full-blown outage for this house of cards to come crashing down, and when it does, it will be completely self-inflicted. 

Frankly, I don't know what you were thinking with this one, as it didn't use to be this way.  We used to have a 2-3 day grace period for reconnection, and now we have zero?

That's one hell of a bet being placed on endless perfection, and it's a bet you're going to lose.  Not "if" but "when", and given that it was planned this way, I don't know how much "understanding: or "patience" you have a right to ask of us when our inconvenience is the official plan whenever a problem arises. The thing is, I have problems of my own that I have never once asked you to suffer for, and I doubt you'd be willing to suffer for if I asked.  Be decent enough to return the favor.

I love DCS and I'd challenge someone to find another Internet user who has said more consistently glowing things about the sim, or someone who has always sided with the company on every issue, even when the company was arguably wrong.

When you start ruining my hard-wearned weekends, however ... for things that any half-sane human being can predict (like network issues), then we're no longer friends. 

I'm a software developer that has to deal with things like network issues all week, and I have no desire to spend my Saturday doing so as well.  Everything else works. 

I'm extremely pissed off with this nonsense.

[336_TheAngryGamer]

We can just add this to the long list of very bad decisions made lately by ED. And I fear there will be a lot more. I agree, when they work , the modules are great. But there are so many, too many, times that they get completely hosed up by updates and will not work until the next, hopefully. And everywhere I look, all I see is more and more pissed off people. My groups I fly with thru Discord, ED is constantly hammered on Reddit, even some Youtube. But, my favorite is all the gaslighting I see posted via screenshots right from this forum. A lot of people are very pissed off right now. 

Edited December 8, 2024 by 336_TheAngryGamer
typos

[MAXsenna]

58 minutes ago, Rex said:

Frankly, I don't know what you were thinking with this one, as it didn't use to be this way.  We used to have a 2-3 day grace period for reconnection, and now we have zero?

This must be wrong! I can't believe they changed it to zero! There's a server maintenance coming in a few days, that'll be something. 

Btw, you might want to set the text color to auto. This is how it looks in dark mode. 

 

[rob10]

3 hours ago, Rex said:

I'm really pissed off today.  I've gotten the "you can only use free modules" popup several times, and now just I got booted from my DCS session because the "Login Expired".

........

Frankly, I don't know what you were thinking with this one, as it didn't use to be this way.  We used to have a 2-3 day grace period for reconnection, and now we have zero?

I'm extremely pissed off with this nonsense.

Not sure what's happening on your end, but an "always-on connection" still isn't required on my end.  I just booted my DCS, then physically disconnected it from internet (it's got a wired connection and I double checked with a browser it wasn't connected) and flew for 20 minutes with no issue.  Then I shut down my DCS and rebooted and got the normal sequence of "couldn't connect to server" and " you have a saved authorization valid for xxxx amount of time" and continued on and it worked completely normally with all my modules.

Only time I've seen it boot me "login expired" has been when it was connected to internet and I had DCS up on my gaming computer and without thinking opened a 2nd instance on my laptop that I use for mission editing (or vice versa) and the originally running instance will get booted.

It appears the issue is on your end somewhere and not something that ED has changed.

[Ironhand]

No problem on my end when I played a day or so ago. Couldn’t connect at start and told me I had something like two days to play before I’d need to log in again.

[Rex]

As thrilled as I am for both of you, I only get the option to play with free modules when it happens.  It's Friday night and that's the only option I am being presented with now, and I am not pleased.

Also, I got kicked out when my "login expired" and lost a bunch of Mission Editor work. 

My experience used to be like both of yours, and I used to have two or so days to connect.   Now not only can I not use paid modules, I can't even stay logged in if it disconnects.  

 

 

P.S. Seems other people have hit it too.  This thread is from 2022/2023.

 

 

More recent one:

 

 

Edited December 14, 2024 by Rex

[Ironhand]

Have you tried doing a slow repair? And, out of curiosity, when’s the last time you rebooted your computer? I’ve had odd issues pop up in the past with DCS that a reboot solved. Worth a try, if it’s been awhile.

EDIT: In looking through one of the links you posted, I noticed that using a VPN was causing issues for some people. Is it the issue for you?

Edited December 14, 2024 by Ironhand

[Rex]

On 12/14/2024 at 5:35 AM, Ironhand said:

Have you tried doing a slow repair? And, out of curiosity, when’s the last time you rebooted your computer? I’ve had odd issues pop up in the past with DCS that a reboot solved. Worth a try, if it’s been awhile.

EDIT: In looking through one of the links you posted, I noticed that using a VPN was causing issues for some people. Is it the issue for you?

Thanks for your tips, I appreciate the help.  I don't use DCS connected to a VPN as it typically increases latency, and I reboot generally once a day. I have other potential causes of IP issues, though (see below). I'm a software developer and am fairly literate about such thing, but am by no means infallible.  I'm a Unix/Linux guy and only use Windows for things like DCS, so I'm far from a Windows expert, but I suppose I've used it enough to be at least proficient.

I'm not really puzzled about the connection itself being interrupted.  I have a hypothesis that the auth issues may be caused by a mid-session IP change (I have multiple IP addresses on a multi-WAN router), but it's not relevant because my problem isn't connectivity per-se. Even assuming this is the issue, it's still disconcerting to get zero time locally with paid modules if the connection gets interrupted, as well as to get booted out of a Mission Editor session because of an IP address change.

Note that I am not criticizing or blaming DCS for my potential network issues, nor am I asking them to troubleshoot them.  I'm simply disturbed by the way they now deal with it (completely severing access to all of my paid modules for even 1 minute of non-connectivity).  I used to get 2-3 days grace period to reconnect, but now they are requiring a 24/7 internet connection or their removing access to your paid modules.  I cannot even fly locally in my own home on my own computer.  Network issues can happen any number of places for any number of reasons, and now any and all of those reasons completely negate all of my paid modules until the problem is cleared up.  Essentially, I'll be punished regardless of whose fault it is.  ED, me, my ISP, their ISP, some random Script Kiddie DDOSing an intermittent node, the customer will get punished for any and all of it.  Unfortunately, the customer usually is the first party to be punished for problems, and that's on top of the problems I already have of my own.  I never punish ED for those problems, and if I did, I can 100% guarantee you that they would be very, very unhappy if I did.

Ensuring the customer is deprived of their paid content regardless of issue's cause is generally looked down upon, and even in the customer-hostile USA, the practice is controversial.  It's something that everyone expects from, for instance, EA, because that company has never had anything but contempt for its customers.  I never before felt that was the case with ED.  With their frequent flyer miles, generous sales, try-before-you-buy program, grace period on authentication, etc, I always felt comfortable giving them my money because they seemed to take steps to prevent us from being without our content for trivial reasons.  They were a company and hobby that tends to inspire a little more loyalty and dedication as we each depend on each other's support to thrive.  Now, I feel  basically as if we've been put on notice that they intend to screw us as hard as the typical gaming company, so we need to start looking out for our own interests because they are going to look out for theirs.

For instance, even though I have a Steam account with numerous games, I never use Steam to purchase DCS products because I want ED to have that 30% and not Steam. It's not a ton of money, but it's probably $300 - $400 that they otherwise wouldn't have, and for that, I was happy.  It was totally and completely a goodwill dividend.  I don't usually consider these things, I'm an American and I generally enjoy a hostile relationship with the companies I do business with.  If I have an opportunity to screw them before they screw me, well I'd be a sucker not to take it.  I didn't feel this way toward ED.  ED is the only company I have gladly inconvenience myself for, so this move feels like a slap in the face.

Apparently some people claim they can still use the sim in "offline mode".  I was one of those people until recently.  Why some can and some can't, I'm not sure, but it actually booted me from a previously-authorized connection a week or so ago, and that's an extremely negative outcome. Talk about a middle finger being thrust your way.  Knowing that can happen at any time stays in your head and, well, it certainly does not add to the enjoyment.  Especially when I've paid so much to enjoy this hobby, and in my opinion, it's been worth every cent, and I'm happy to give them more.  I didn't expect it to be yanked from me randomly for issues that I will sometimes have no control over, though.

Going forward, however, I'll know that it can and will be taken away for any failure between Seattle (where I am), and wherever DCS is (Russia or whatever).  That's a lot of hops, and a lot of potential for things to not be 100%.  I've seen them through some issues before and I've always supported and stood up for them.  This is the first time I've really been bummed out about something ED has done.  I'm disappointed.

Edited December 20, 2024 by Rex

[Ironhand]

I don’t know what’s going on but, since my last post, I’ve had another instance where I couldn’t connect and had a 2 day grace period here on the east coast. No idea now why you don’t. 

[BIGNEWY]

On 12/8/2024 at 12:59 AM, Rex said:

I'm really pissed off today.  I've gotten the "you can only use free modules" popup several times, and now just I got booted from my DCS session because the "Login Expired".

Seriously?  This is the new acceptable?

This switch to an always-on connection is abhorrent, repugnant, and just play wrong, and if it's not criminal it very well should be because it punishes customers (and only customers) when anything less than perfect network conditions arise.  This is that case whether that imperfection has anything to do with the customer or not. 

I don't mind paying $1,000+ for DCS modules, they are worth every penny in my opinion.  I do mind, however, when I cannot use them, solely so that ED can look after it's own interests while wiping it's backside with my interests.  It's going to take one full-blown outage for this house of cards to come crashing down, and when it does, it will be completely self-inflicted. 

Frankly, I don't know what you were thinking with this one, as it didn't use to be this way.  We used to have a 2-3 day grace period for reconnection, and now we have zero?

That's one hell of a bet being placed on endless perfection, and it's a bet you're going to lose.  Not "if" but "when", and given that it was planned this way, I don't know how much "understanding: or "patience" you have a right to ask of us when our inconvenience is the official plan whenever a problem arises. The thing is, I have problems of my own that I have never once asked you to suffer for, and I doubt you'd be willing to suffer for if I asked.  Be decent enough to return the favor.

I love DCS and I'd challenge someone to find another Internet user who has said more consistently glowing things about the sim, or someone who has always sided with the company on every issue, even when the company was arguably wrong.

When you start ruining my hard-wearned weekends, however ... for things that any half-sane human being can predict (like network issues), then we're no longer friends. 

I'm a software developer that has to deal with things like network issues all week, and I have no desire to spend my Saturday doing so as well.  Everything else works. 

I'm extremely pissed off with this nonsense.

Hi sorry you are having issues.

On Tuesday we had a master server downtime, this reset everyone's auth login. 

Auth is granted for three days each time you login, but if you didn't login for 3 days that auth would no longer be valid. 

Authorisation is required to play DCS as mentioned in our EULA. 

We do have an offline mode for longer off line periods, but you need to activate it while you have a connection, once off line auth is granted you can be off line for as long as you wish to be. 

If you continue to have authorisation issues please contact support directly they will be happy to assist you 

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/

thank you 

[Moxica]

On 12/8/2024 at 1:59 AM, Rex said:

I'm really pissed off today.  I've gotten the "you can only use free modules" popup several times, and now just I got booted from my DCS session because the "Login Expired".

Seriously?  This is the new acceptable?

This switch to an always-on connection is abhorrent, repugnant, and just play wrong, and if it's not criminal it very well should be because it punishes customers (and only customers) when anything less than perfect network conditions arise.  This is that case whether that imperfection has anything to do with the customer or not. 

I don't mind paying $1,000+ for DCS modules, they are worth every penny in my opinion.  I do mind, however, when I cannot use them, solely so that ED can look after it's own interests while wiping it's backside with my interests.  It's going to take one full-blown outage for this house of cards to come crashing down, and when it does, it will be completely self-inflicted. 

Frankly, I don't know what you were thinking with this one, as it didn't use to be this way.  We used to have a 2-3 day grace period for reconnection, and now we have zero?

That's one hell of a bet being placed on endless perfection, and it's a bet you're going to lose.  Not "if" but "when", and given that it was planned this way, I don't know how much "understanding: or "patience" you have a right to ask of us when our inconvenience is the official plan whenever a problem arises. The thing is, I have problems of my own that I have never once asked you to suffer for, and I doubt you'd be willing to suffer for if I asked.  Be decent enough to return the favor.

I love DCS and I'd challenge someone to find another Internet user who has said more consistently glowing things about the sim, or someone who has always sided with the company on every issue, even when the company was arguably wrong.

When you start ruining my hard-wearned weekends, however ... for things that any half-sane human being can predict (like network issues), then we're no longer friends. 

I'm a software developer that has to deal with things like network issues all week, and I have no desire to spend my Saturday doing so as well.  Everything else works. 

I'm extremely pissed off with this nonsense.

Right or wrong, I just want to commend the langauge, and writing skill in this piece. 

[rob10]

1 hour ago, BIGNEWY said:

Auth is granted for three days each time you login, but if you didn't login for 3 days that auth would no longer be valid.

A question: is there a difference for when people have a trial active or have had trial -- i.e. if you have a trial running you have to be connected?  I've never seen the above but there are enough people reporting zero grace period (even if they had been on the night before) that there seems to be 2 different conditions and that's the only thing I can think of.  And I'd note that was before the server maintenance so not caused by that.

[Rex]

9 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

Hi sorry you are having issues.

On Tuesday we had a master server downtime, this reset everyone's auth login. 

Auth is granted for three days each time you login, but if you didn't login for 3 days that auth would no longer be valid. 

 

In each case I've logged in within 3 days, so I'm not sure why this happens.  As mentioned, in once case it actually kicked me out less than an hour after authorizing.  

 

Quote

We do have an offline mode for longer off line periods, but you need to activate it while you have a connection, once off line auth is granted you can be off line for as long as you wish to be. 

 

This seems to be of questionable usefulness, as the only time you'd really need to use DCS offline is when you don't have a connection.  This also means that when DCS servers go down, we can't auth for offline sessions.  I mean, it's certainly a benefit for people with ESP/precognition. Although those people are usually too busy trading stocks and playing the lottery to use DCS, so I'm not sure how much they'll actually use it.  I guess the rest of us are on our own.

 

9 hours ago, BIGNEWY said:

Authorisation is required to play DCS as mentioned in our EULA. 

 

Yeah, the thing about EULAs is that they are wish-lists on the part of the drafter (in this case the company), which may or may not comport with the legal realities of the jurisdictions in which they are being enforced.  I mean, Zappos had a EULA too:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericgoldman/2012/10/10/how-zappos-user-agreement-failed-in-court-and-left-zappos-legally-naked/

And I'm willing to bet that most EULAs have similar unilateral-modification clauses, rendering many of them wholly unenforceable, depending on jurisdiction.

I'm not stating an opinion on the DCS EULA, simply that EULAs in general are not the last word on every matter, and in the case of inability-to-access-purchases, probably would have an uphill climb to be upheld.  Same with "licenses", people have to be able to benefit from they licenses the purchase.

Also, if authorization is required, what happens when authorization is not possible?  Is the customer bound by contract to pound sand in every denial scenario?  In the USA, that would fall under contra preferentum, but I can't say for other countries.  Remember, though, lawyers (the usual drafters of EULAs) don't get paid for avoiding litigation.

In order for a contract to be formed, consideration has to be exchanged,  and that consideration cannot be illusory (ie.  you have to pay us but we may or may not provide what you paid us for at our discretion).  Both parties must be ENTITLED to their respective consideration.

Obviously that's the USA, and I don't imagine that it would be easy to sue ED from the USA (nor do I personally have any inclination or desire to do so).  I'm simply saying that the EULA doe s not offer the blanket, ironclad protection against prevention of access that many companies assume that it does.   In many jurisdiction, the customer actually does have a claim to the good and services they pay for.

That said, the way things are going, if you give it a few years, this will probably no longer be the case. 

I think EU folks have far more consumer rights than we do, though, so that might be an even tougher nut to crack from a EULA perspective.

I reiterate, the whole thing is very disappointing to me. The goodwill I've historically felt has certainly suffered, and the notion that nobody really cares about that is finally reaching the acceptance phase.  The relationship between consumers and the companies they patronize certainly is a hostile one (at least in the USA), and I don't think exceptions to this exist any longer. Assuming they ever did.

 

Edited December 20, 2024 by Rex

[maxTRX]

15 hours ago, Rex said:

 ... I mean, it's certainly a benefit for people with ESP/precognition. Although those people are usually too busy trading stocks and playing the lottery to use DCS, so I'm not sure how much they'll actually use it.  I guess the rest of us are on our own...

LOL, damn Rex you do have a way with words. 

[TK-421]

I am pretty angry, flying today on contention in the Kiowa, infill for 60km and sneak within firing range of a KA-50 on the runway, lase target, fire a hellfire, waiting for impact and then nothing. Screen goes black, what the actual f*ck?! Take off my VR headset and see the "DCS login session has expired" message on my desktop. 

 

I've never rage quit before but that pissed me off. 

Edited February 11 by TK-421

[BIGNEWY]

37 minutes ago, TK-421 said:

I am pretty angry, flying today on contention in the Kiowa, infill for 60km and sneak within firing range of a KA-50 on the runway, lase target, fire a hellfire, waiting for impact and then nothing. Screen goes black, what the actual f*ck?! Take off my VR headset and see the "DCS login session has expired" message on my desktop. 

 

I've never rage quit before but that pissed me off. 

Hi, 

sorry for the inconvenience but sometimes servers and data centres go down, most of the time it is out of our control. This mornings outage lasted less than 10 minutes. 

thank you 

[Actium]

On 2/11/2025 at 12:24 PM, BIGNEWY said:

sometimes servers and data centres go down, most of the time it is out of our control.

Absolutely. Exactly for that reason the DCS client should handle that situation gracefully and not just boot people from their game.

I've investigated, reproduced, and reported the underlying issue for DCS version 2.9.13.6818. This wishlist item contains additional information when and how it occurs: 

 

[BIGNEWY]

Just now, Actium said:

Absolutely. Exactly for that reason the DCS client should handle that situation gracefully and not just boot people from their game.

I've investigated, reproduced, and reported the underlying issue for DCS version 2.9.13.6818. This wishlist item contains additional information when and how it occurs: 

 

I have already made a report based on your feedback for the team to consider.

thank you

[Actium]

Absolutely. My intent was not to push it. Just posted my report here to inform the other players affected by this.

[Wolfy Yiffington]

I just finished an hour and a half long mission in my DCS campaign and at the BDA log screen at the end of the mission i got the error "login session expired" and it completely erased all the progress i had just made in my campaign while not retaining my flight time in my log either. This is such a frustratingly stupid bug!