Wondering why every alt account you make gets instantly restricted? If you can't play a single match without getting booted back to your desktop, you might be dealing with a hardware restriction rather than a simple account suspension.
Riot Vanguard doesn't just ban your user profile when it detects severe policy violations or unauthorized third-party software. It flags the unique serial numbers and components of your PC. Recognizing the distinct behavior of a system-level penalty saves you from burning clean accounts and helps you figure out your next moves.
What is a Valorant HWID Ban?
A hardware ID (HWID) ban targets the physical machine you're using rather than a specific login. When Vanguard runs at the kernel level, it compiles a unique fingerprint of your computer by reading the serial numbers of your motherboard, storage drives, network interface cards, and other core components.
If Vanguard detects cheating tools, script injectors, or extreme toxicity across repeated offenses, Riot applies this restriction to the hardware profile. Once flagged, any account logged into that specific machine encounters immediate automated blocks. Reinstalling the game or switching your login details won't bypass the restriction because the system recognizes your computer's signature.
Core Signs Your PC is Hardware Banned
Telling the difference between a standard account suspension and a system-level penalty comes down to how your PC behaves when you launch the game.
The VAN 152 Error Code
The most definitive indicator of a hardware restriction in Valorant is the appearance of the VAN 152 error code. While other errors point to connection issues or software conflicts, VAN 152 explicitly states that your system has been restricted from connecting to Vanguard-secured servers. It usually pops up immediately upon launching the game or right as you try to log into a profile.
Instant Bans on Alternative Accounts
If you create a brand-new account with a fresh email address, never use any unauthorized software on it, and still find yourself banned within minutes of joining a match or entering the menu, your computer is flagged. Normal account suspensions only affect the specific profile named in the penalty notice. If fresh, untouched accounts face the exact same fate on your rig, the restriction lives in the hardware.
Healthy Accounts Failing Only on Your PC
Borrowing a friend's clean account to test your setup can reveal the truth, though it carries some risk. If that account works perfectly fine on your friend's laptop or another PC, but gets restricted the moment you log into it on your desktop, the problem isn't the user profile. Riot's systems automatically penalize clean accounts that log into hardware-banned machines, treating them as an attempt to bypass the active penalty.
Account Ban vs. Hardware Ban Comparison
| Feature | Standard Account Ban | Hardware (HWID) Ban |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Tied to one specific username and email. | Tied to your PC's physical components and serial numbers. |
| New Accounts | Brand new accounts work normally on the same PC. | Brand new accounts get banned automatically within minutes. |
| Error Messages | Usually displays standard login error or suspension notices. | Frequently throws the specific VAN 152 error code. |
| Remedy | Wait out a temporary ban or submit a support appeal. | Typically lasts around four months or requires hardware changes. |
How Long Do Valorant Hardware Bans Last?
Unlike permanent account suspensions handed out for severe cheating infractions, hardware restrictions in Valorant are rarely permanent by default. Standard HWID bans enforced by Riot Games typically last for approximately four months.
Once this duration expires, the hardware fingerprint is automatically cleared from the restriction list, allowing you to log in and play normally again without creating new accounts. However, attempting to bypass the restriction prematurely by logging in with alternate accounts can trigger automated extensions or escalate the penalty status.
What to Do If You've Been Restricted
If you confirm that your system is dealing with a hardware restriction, you have a few practical paths forward:
- Verify through Riot Support: Submit a ticket on the Riot Games Support site if you believe the restriction was applied in error. Automated bans occasionally catch false positives due to conflicting background software or third-party driver tools.
- Wait out the timer: Give the restriction the standard four months to expire naturally. Avoid logging into any valuable personal accounts during this window to protect them from collateral penalties.
- Review system background apps: Ensure that macro software, unauthorized overlay tools, or outdated kernel-level drivers aren't triggering Vanguard's automated detection protocols before you return to playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does changing my IP address fix a Valorant hardware ban?
No. Hardware bans look at computer components like your motherboard and storage drive serial numbers, not your internet IP address or network router. Using a VPN will not remove or bypass a VAN 152 restriction.
Will replacing a single computer part remove the ban?
Usually no. Vanguard generates a complex fingerprint spanning multiple hardware components. Swapping out just a graphics card or a single hard drive leaves the rest of the flagged identifiers—like the motherboard UUID—intact.
Can my friends safely use my PC to play Valorant?
No. Any account logged into a hardware-banned machine risks getting flagged and restricted automatically. It's best to keep other players off a restricted system until the penalty period lifts entirely.
Does a hardware ban affect other Riot games?
Yes. Because Vanguard protects multiple titles under the Riot ecosystem, a severe hardware penalty can restrict access to other games running on the same anti-cheat architecture on your machine.
