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Yes, you can usually reinstall FFXIV without losing your characters or buying the game again—but you must reinstall the same platform version linked to your Square Enix service account. Back up your settings first, then follow the Windows, Steam, or Mac instructions below. A standard reinstall preserves local configuration where possible; a clean reinstall resets it after you make a backup.
Before uninstalling FFXIV
Use this checklist before removing the client:
- Identify the platform: standalone Windows, Steam, Mac, or Free Trial.
- Confirm your account: sign in to Mog Station and check the correct Square Enix ID, service account, platform entitlement, and subscription or Free Trial status.
- Back up settings: use the in-game backup, the launcher Backup Tool, and a manual folder copy where possible.
- Check storage: the current Steam listing reports 140 GB of available storage for its Windows version, but requirements can change and may differ by platform.
- Close FFXIV completely: exit the game, launcher, Steam if applicable, and any installer or patcher windows.
Reinstalling the client does not convert a Windows license into a Steam license, or vice versa. Square Enix treats Steam and standalone Windows as separate platforms, so the client and future platform-specific purchases must match the entitlement on your service account. See Square Enix’s platform and account guidance.
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Back up your FFXIV settings
Use the in-game server backup
From the Character Selection screen:
- Select the gear icon in the upper-right.
- Open Client Settings Backup.
- Select Upload.
The server backup can include display, sound, input-device, theme, accessibility, movie and cutscene, miscellaneous, and shared-macro settings. Use the Character Settings backup process for character-specific settings and individual macros rather than assuming every local file is covered. The official FFXIV backup guide explains the available options.
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If the launcher still opens:
- Open the launcher and select Config in the upper-right.
- Open the launcher’s Backup Tool.
- Export the backup to another folder, external drive, or cloud-storage location.
To restore it later, open the same tool, select Restore, and choose the folder containing the file beginning with FFXIVconfig.fea. Windows and Mac launcher backups cannot be transferred directly to PS4, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S; use the in-game/server backup method for supported cross-platform transfers.
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Make a manual copy
Before a clean reinstall, copy the relevant FFXIV configuration folders to a separate location. If the installation is badly damaged, also take screenshots of your graphics, controller, keybind, HUD, hotbar, and macro settings. Do not delete the only copy until the fresh installation has launched and your settings have been tested.
Try these fixes before reinstalling
A reinstall replaces client files, but it will not fix every cause of a launcher or game error. Try these less disruptive steps first:
- Restart the computer and fully close the launcher before trying again.
- Steam users can right-click FFXIV in Steam Library, select Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
- Windows users whose launcher cannot initialize its login or browser area should follow Square Enix’s guidance for repairing Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime.
- Rename, rather than delete, the local configuration folder to test whether settings are corrupt.
- Update graphics drivers and check system requirements, security software, firewall rules, and running applications.
Square Enix recommends checking drivers, system requirements, security software, and other running programs before reinstalling when installed data may be corrupted. See its troubleshooting guidance and Windows launcher dependency instructions.
How to uninstall FFXIV on Windows
Windows 11
- Close FFXIV and its launcher.
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for FINAL FANTASY XIV – A Realm Reborn.
- Select the three-dot menu beside it and choose Uninstall.
- Complete the uninstall wizard.
Depending on your Windows version or build, the menu may instead be called Apps and Features.
Windows 10
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Apps and Features.
- Find FINAL FANTASY XIV – A Realm Reborn.
- Select it, choose Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
Use Square Enix’s Windows uninstall instructions if the installed-program name or menu differs.
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What Windows uninstall leaves behind
Windows’ client uninstall does not automatically remove this local data folder:
C:Users[USERNAME]DocumentsMy GamesFINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm RebornThat is useful for a standard reinstall because settings may remain. It also means a broken configuration can survive the reinstall.
Standard or clean Windows reinstall?
For a standard reinstall, leave the Documents folder in place and reinstall the client. If the new installation does not detect the settings correctly, restore them from your backup.
For a clean configuration reset, rename the folder first:
FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn.oldLaunch the newly installed game with a fresh folder. If it works, restore settings selectively or keep the old folder as a rollback copy. Delete it only after confirming that you no longer need its HUD, hotbars, keybinds, macros, and preferences.
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How to uninstall FFXIV on Steam
- Open Steam.
- Go to Library.
- Right-click FINAL FANTASY XIV Online.
- Select Manage → Uninstall.
- Confirm the removal.
Before uninstalling, Steam users may prefer Library → right-click FFXIV → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.
Reinstall through Steam’s Library using the same Steam account. Do not download the standalone Windows installer as a substitute. Square Enix says the Steam and Windows versions are separate, and launching the Steam service through the standalone client can produce a login error. Steam and Square Enix accounts are linked during registration and cannot be freely unlinked, so reinstalling is not a reason to try a different Square Enix account. Read the official Steam and Windows platform guidance.
How to uninstall FFXIV on Mac
A complete Mac removal involves the application and two separate data locations. Back them up first if you want to preserve settings.
- Quit FFXIV and the launcher.
- Open Applications and move FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE.app to the Trash.
- In Finder, open
~/Documents/My Games/and back up or remove FINAL FANTASY XIV – A Realm Reborn. - Open Finder’s Go menu, hold Option, and select Library.
- Open
Application Supportand back up or remove FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE. - Empty the Trash only after checking that your backups are safe.
The important locations are:
/Applications/FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE.app
~/Documents/My Games/FINAL FANTASY XIV - A Realm Reborn
~/Library/Application Support/FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINEThe Application Support folder can contain hotbars, macros, and other settings. For a standard reinstall, remove only the application and preserve both configuration folders. For a clean reinstall, rename or move the folders after backing them up. Square Enix’s Mac uninstall instructions and Mac settings warning cover these locations.
How to reinstall FFXIV
Standalone Windows client
- Download the client from Square Enix’s official FFXIV client download page.
- Run the installer and choose the installation location.
- Allow the launcher to download and apply all updates.
- Sign in with the Square Enix account and service account that own the Windows entitlement.
Do not interrupt file verification or patching. If installation repeatedly fails on a secondary drive, trying the default system drive is a legacy Square Enix troubleshooting fallback—not a universal requirement.
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Steam
- Open Steam and go to Library.
- Select FINAL FANTASY XIV Online.
- Select Install and choose the library location.
- Let Steam and the FFXIV launcher finish downloading updates.
- Start the game from Steam and use the originally linked Square Enix account.
Use the official Steam store page, not a third-party mirror.
Mac
Download the current Mac client from Square Enix’s official Mac download page. Install it, allow the launcher to patch, and sign in to the existing account. Restore local settings only after confirming that the clean client starts correctly.
Free Trial
Download the platform-specific Free Trial client from the official Free Trial page. The Free Trial is platform-specific, so select the platform you intend to use and do not assume that a Steam, standalone Windows, or Mac installer is interchangeable.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Restore settings after reinstalling
First test the fresh client:
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- The launcher opens.
- Login succeeds.
- The correct service account appears.
- The game reaches the title screen and Character Selection.
- Keyboard, mouse, or controller input works.
- The game can enter a low-risk area and close normally.
Once that works, restore the server backup through the Character Selection gear icon, or restore the launcher backup through Config → Backup Tool → Restore. If you manually copied a configuration folder, restore it selectively where possible. Testing before restoration helps identify whether an old setting caused the original crash, input problem, or graphics issue.
What to do if the reinstall fails
“No valid service account is available”
This usually points to an account, service-account, subscription, or platform mismatch rather than damaged files. Confirm the Square Enix ID, service account, Mog Station status, Steam linkage if applicable, and the client platform. Use Square Enix’s service-account troubleshooting page.
The launcher opens but login does not
On Windows, check Microsoft Edge and Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime using Square Enix’s repair guidance before removing the game again. Also check network access, firewall rules, and security software.
The download or patch fails
Use the official download source, try another browser if downloading the installer, choose a new destination folder, and use simple Latin-character names for the drive and folders. Check administrative permissions, firewall and security-software interference, and close other applications. Prefer a temporary, targeted exception over permanently disabling protection, then restore normal security settings immediately afterward. See Square Enix’s download troubleshooting guidance.
The game still crashes
Test before restoring old settings. Then check graphics drivers, supported operating-system and hardware requirements, security software, and background applications. Current requirements change; consult the live official requirements information rather than relying on old guides. Square Enix has also published operating-system support changes and directs players to its current system-requirements information.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMac settings disappeared
If ~/Library/Application Support/FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE was deleted, restore that backed-up folder or use the in-game/server backup. The Mac application itself does not contain all of the settings players care about.
When to contact Square Enix Support
Contact Square Enix Support if the correct platform, account, service account, requirements, launcher dependencies, and network/security checks are all in order but the client still fails. Include the exact error text, platform, operating-system version, installation location, and what changed immediately before the problem.
Quick Recap
Standard versus clean reinstall
| Method | Local settings | Best for | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uninstall client only | Usually preserved | First reinstall attempt | Corrupt configuration may remain |
| Rename local folders | Rollback copy preserved | Safest diagnostic reset | Uses additional storage |
| Delete local folders | Removed | Confirmed configuration corruption | HUDs, macros, keybinds, and preferences may be lost |
| Restore immediately | Returned quickly | Known-good backup | Can reintroduce the original problem |
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