Frequent 'Failed to connect to instance' - is this server-side or my network?

Hello,

I've been experiencing frequent disconnects when transitioning between areas in PoE2. I've done extensive network diagnostics and can't determine whether the issue is on my end or GGG's servers. I'd appreciate help figuring this out.

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SYMPTOM
Every time I change zones, there is a ~50% chance of getting "Failed to connect to instance" and being kicked to the login screen.

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CLIENT.TXT LOG (disconnect example)

2026/05/27 13:02:58 - Got Instance Details from login server
2026/05/27 13:02:58 - Connecting to instance server at 69.41.173.159:21360
2026/05/27 13:02:58 - Connect time to instance server was 0ms
2026/05/27 13:03:19 - Abnormal disconnect: Failed to connect to instance

Note: TCP handshake completes in 0ms, but disconnect occurs exactly ~21 seconds later. This pattern repeats consistently.

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WHAT I'VE RULED OUT

- Issue reproduces on ALL realms: Amsterdam EU, Frankfurt, Russia
- Issue reproduces with AND without VPN
- Tracert to instance server 69.41.173.159 completes in 1 hop (~69ms, 0% packet loss)
- Tracert to my VDS completes in 1 hop (~72ms, 0% packet loss)
- MTU is healthy: ping -f -l 1472 passes without fragmentation
- No packet loss detected anywhere in the route

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QUESTION

Given that:
1. TCP handshake to the instance server succeeds instantly (0ms)
2. The connection then drops after exactly ~21 seconds every time
3. Tracert shows the instance servers are fully reachable
4. The issue happens across all realms and with/without VPN

...is this a known server-side issue with instance servers 69.41.173.159 and 69.41.173.171? Or is there something specific I should be checking on my end?

ISP: Teleseti, Tyumen, Russia


I can provide full Client.txt or run additional diagnostics if needed. Thank you.

"Failed to connect to instance" is server-side. Usually it means that the instance on the server has crashed for some reason or other. There is nothing that you can do about it.