Eventually I started getting errors saying it couldn't download the necessary content and that I should check my internet connection.
The data is up to date, files scanned and repaired, all the supposed rumored fixes. Probably in relation to the locked maps being placed back into rotation.
I fixed the issue by clicking on the different modes of play.
You should put your search code into a separate thread, and while the searcher thread is working, your main thread can show the animation along with "Please wait" message.
Your searcher thread can notify the main thread when search is done by any of the available synchronization techniques.
Please try updating your Internet Explorer to the latest version.
You can find that by clicking here Even if you do not currently use IE as a browser, you will still need to make sure you have the most updated version on your Windows machine in order for Roblox to work properly.
However, some people have encountered problems and so, just to be on the safe side, I recommend that you create a System Image Backup of your hard disk.
That way, if anything out of the ordinary were to occur as you perform the update operation, you'll be able to return to your current configuration using System Image Recovery, which you can access from a Recovery Drive or your Windows 8.1 installation DVD.
Often, these programs err on the side of caution and by default no program is allowed access.
For assistance with looking into this and allowing Roblox through any blockages, click here.