Game asking for validation for no reason

My game froze during a duel probably 7 minutes ago and I closed it.

There was an update so I downloaded it.

I restarted my game and it told me I need to update even though I literally just did.

I closed the game and re-opened it and steam began to validate it for seemingly no reason.

I opened the game and tried to log in and it told me I need to update.

I'm validating again as I type this.

What is going on?

I just had this when trying to connect to South Africa. Changed the gateway to the next best, and it allowed me in. I backed out, and changed the gateway back to SA and it threw the error but didn't close the game. Immediately retried the connection and it allowed me through to Character Selection..

Steam is now validating my game every time I choose to start it.

Please can someone from GGG tell me what's going on.

It's stored on a ssd and it still takes like 10 minutes to open instead of 1 second.

Yeah its doing the same for me. please fix GGG

I am seeing the same behaviour on South Africa servers.

I suspect one of the South Africa login servers does not have the correct version information, probably an older version.

Also having this issue, just thought id throw in my 2 cents

Replying just to try and help boost this. Also happening to me and I am also on South African servers

I have the exact same problem since yesterday, also on the South African servers. Every time I launch PoE, the Steam client is validating the files for 5-10min. Once in-game, the login fails stating that a client update is required. Exit the game, and cycle repeats.

Strangely, if you spam the login multiple times; the server eventually allows you to authenticate and get in.

Seems to have been a bug introduced with the latest game client updates. Albeit, unclear why its affecting the South African servers specifically.

Also having this exact same issue, everytime i open Path of Exile, it has to validate the files before opening.

GGG Please sort this out.