Getting banned from your favorite game sucks. But getting IP banned? That’s a whole different level of frustration.
You can’t just make a new account and jump back in. Your entire internet connection gets blocked from the game’s servers.
More gamers face IP bans in 2025 than ever before. The reasons might surprise you, and some of them have nothing to do with cheating.
What Actually Triggers an IP Ban
Game developers use IP bans as their nuclear option. They aim to prevent repeat offenders from creating new accounts after being banned. But the system isn’t perfect.
Here’s what can get your IP flagged:
- Someone else on your network breaks the rules: If you share WiFi with roommates or family members, their actions can affect you.
- Your ISP recycles IP addresses: You might inherit an IP address that someone else got banned.
- False positive from anti-cheat systems: These systems sometimes flag innocent players, especially those using VPNs incorrectly.
- Playing from restricted regions: Some games have licensing issues in certain countries.
- Too many failed login attempts: This can look like a hacking attempt on automated systems.
The problem worsens when using public WiFi networks. Coffee shops, hotels, and airports all share IP addresses among dozens or hundreds of users. If one person cheats while connected to that network, everyone else might face restrictions later.
Many players now turn to a trusted VPN for gaming to protect their connection and reduce the chance of being wrongly flagged.
Why Traditional Solutions Don’t Work
You can no longer simply reset your router and obtain a new IP address. Most ISPs now use static IP addresses, especially for fiber connections. Calling customer support to request a new IP address can take days, and they often refuse without providing a valid reason.
Some players try mobile hotspots as a workaround. This works temporarily, but mobile data isn’t ideal for gaming. You’ll deal with higher ping, data caps, and unstable connections during intense matches.
The Regional Restriction Problem
IP bans don’t just come from breaking rules. Some games block entire regions due to licensing agreements or government regulations. Players in these specific regions are unable to access the game, even with a legitimate account.
| Common Reasons for Regional Blocks | Impact on Players |
| Government censorship | Total access denied |
| Licensing restrictions | Can’t purchase or play |
| Server maintenance issues | Temporary lockouts |
| Publishing rights disputes | Region-specific bans |
Players who travel frequently face another issue. Your account might work fine at home, but it gets flagged when you log in from another country. The system sees this as suspicious activity and locks you out to prevent account theft.
How to Protect Your Gaming Account
The most reliable solution involves routing your connection through a different IP address. This separates your gaming traffic from your home network’s reputation. A quality VPN service accomplishes this by connecting you through its servers.
Here’s what actually matters when protecting your account:
A. Pick servers close to the game’s data centers.
This keeps your ping low while protecting your real IP address. Most major games run servers in North America, Europe, and Asia.
B. Use consistent server locations.
Jumping between different countries every day looks suspicious. Stick to one or two regions that make sense for your actual location.
C. Enable the VPN before launching the game.
Don’t switch it on mid-session. This can trigger anti-cheat systems that monitor network changes.
Not all VPN services are compatible with gaming. Many free options slow down your connection or get blocked by anti-cheat systems. You need a service that prioritizes speed and stays off gaming companies’ blacklists.
Setting Up Protection in Under 5 Minutes
The setup process takes less time than waiting in a matchmaking queue:
- Download the VPN app for your gaming device
- Connect to a server near your game’s region
- Launch your game and log in normally
- Keep the connection active during gameplay
Your ping might increase by 10-20ms, but this beats being permanently banned. Most players can’t feel the difference in casual matches.
The Bottom Line
IP bans disproportionately affect innocent players over actual cheaters. The automated systems cannot distinguish between suspicious behavior and normal gaming from an unusual location.
Protecting your IP address is less expensive than replacing banned accounts or purchasing new game licenses. Plus, you get the bonus of accessing region-locked content and avoiding ISP throttling during peak hours.
Don’t wait until you face a ban to take action. Once your IP gets flagged, fixing the situation becomes much harder than preventing it in the first place.
