“Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked”—How to Unblock IP?

The message “Your IP has been temporarily blocked” means that the website or service you are trying to access has temporarily restricted your IP address. While the block protects websites from spam, attacks, or abuse, it can also unintentionally affect legitimate users.

This guide will explain the most common reasons why websites or services block IP addresses and provide you with the fastest and most reliable methods to regain access. First, what does “IP banned” mean?

What Does an IP Ban Mean?

IP blocking prevents devices (such as laptops and phones) and larger platforms (like servers) from accessing a network, website, or service. It is a security mechanism that blocks access to specific devices or geographic areas to stop threats, spam, and rule violations.

Websites have their own rules that users must follow to access them. If a website thinks your actions are unsafe or inappropriate, it can block your IP address and show a message like “Your IP has been temporarily blocked.” 

For instance, some websites might block your IP address if you have multiple accounts registered under the same IP address. Also, entering the wrong login details too many times can result in your IP address being blocked.

We will explain all the various ways you can get blocked later in the article.

How Does an IP Address Get Blocked?

An IP address gets blocked through a series of steps that involve detecting suspicious activity, evaluating the threat, and enforcing security measures.

IDS or WAF watch for incoming traffic

The process typically starts with security systems such as intrusion detection systems (IDS) or web application firewalls (WAF) monitoring incoming traffic. If an IP address triggers predefined security rules, like exceeding login limits or attempting unauthorized access, the system may automatically block the address. 

How the IDS and WAF work

An IDS watches network traffic or computer activities to spot anything suspicious. It sends alerts if it finds a threat but does not stop it because its primary purpose is to provide visibility and alert administrators so they can investigate immediately. 

A WAF, on the other hand, protects websites by blocking harmful traffic. Unlike the IDS, it stops attacks like hacking attempts and harmful code from reaching the website.

Types of IP blocking

Once an IP address is flagged by any of these, the IP blocking can either be a temporary or permanent denial of access.

Temporary blocks

Automated systems can impose time-based bans, where the block expires after a certain period. This may apply to minor threats like temporary spikes in traffic or accidental policy violations. 

Permanent blocks

More serious threats like repeated hacking attempts or distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks may lead to permanent bans. 

In certain situations, network administrators do not rely solely on automated systems to block IP addresses. Instead, they personally check activity logs and reports that contain records of network traffic to verify whether an IP address is truly involved in suspicious or harmful behavior. 

Now that you know how it happens, let’s show you why this can happen.

Why Has My IP Address Been Temporarily Blocked?

An IP address can be temporarily blocked for several reasons, including conflicts with firewalls, too many failed login attempts, suspicious actions, restrictive locations, or violating rules. Here’s how:

Suspicious actions

Owning a website is like having a property, you have all the right to protect your possession from security threats. So, if a website owner notices anything suspicious from your device, they can block you to prevent further damage to their website.

The list of things that count as suspicious will depend on the website and their terms of service. However, in most cases, the following activities are suspicious and will likely get your IP banned on most websites:

• Repeatedly trying to hack into a website
• Trying to access other users’ accounts without permission
• Engaging in scams, phishing, or other fraudulent activity 
• Making fake purchases online
• Stealing someone’s identity
• Spreading harmful content online

Spamming

Spamming means sending messages to people that do not want your messages. It also includes posting irrelevant or unsolicited content on social media for the purpose of advertising or phishing.

So, if a computer on your network keeps sending hundreds of promotional emails to random people, email providers might ban your IP. They do this to stop the spam and ensure other users receive only relevant messages.

Malware

Your computer could have a virus or other malicious software that is searching the website for weak spots, like open doors (called ports). These weak spots could allow attackers to get into the website or network. In such cases, the website might block your IP to protect itself.

Firewall conflicts

Your firewall settings can interfere with DNS settings or send frequent connection requests that trigger website security measures. They may alter DNS settings to block malicious websites or enforce content restrictions.

On the other hand, frequent connection requests, like keep-alive signals, are often sent to maintain stable network connections. However, these actions can unintentionally appear suspicious to websites, leading to temporary IP blocks.

DDoS attacks

A DDoS attack happens when many computers or devices flood a website or server with too much traffic. This causes the website to crash or become unavailable. To protect the website or server, the system might block (ban) the IP addresses involved in the attack to stop the flood of requests and restore normal service.

Location restriction

Due to legal restrictions, some websites cannot share all of their content in all countries. To avoid lawsuits, they block the IP addresses of people in some places. For example, gambling is not legal in many countries. As such, websites that offer these services typically block people if they are located in countries where they are not licensed. Streaming platforms also use this method.

Too many error messages

Getting error messages like “403 Forbidden” or “503 Service Unavailable” can also get you an IP ban. The “403 Forbidden” error, for instance, indicates you are trying to access a page that you don’t have access to. The error 503, on the other hand, shows that the server is temporarily unable to handle your request. Trying to get past these errors could be seen as a potential attack, so the website may block you.

Too many failed login attempts

Similarly, trying to log in with the wrong details can get your IP banned. Even though you legitimately forgot your details, trying to gain access repeatedly with wrong details would seem like a brute-force attack.

Violating terms of service

Every website or online service has rules about how users should behave called the terms of service. If your IP address is used in ways that go against those rules, it can result in a ban.

For instance, if a video streaming service allows only personal use and someone used your IP to stream content to many people for profit, the service might block that IP for breaking their rules. Some other common activities that might break terms of service include:

• Owning multiple accounts
• Sharing or downloading copyrighted content without permission
• Using VPN

How to Unblock Your IP Address?

You can’t directly change the status of your IP block. However, you can try making specific changes to fix the problem. Let’s find out some alternatives to the IP unblock:

Method 1: Check for malware

It’s crucial to regularly scan your computer for malware, especially if you are getting frequent temporary bans.

Hackers may use your infected system to send spam or carry out denial-of-service attacks. So, check your system to be sure it’s not a malware problem. 

You can use Windows Security to scan for malware by following these steps:

Step 1: Click the Start menu and type Windows Security, then select it from the results.

Step 2: In the Windows Security window, click on Virus & threat protection. Next, click Scan options under the Virus & threat protection section.

Step 3: Select Full scan and click Scan now.

Step 4: (Optional) If the full scan does not find threats, you could take a step further and choose Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan). Your computer will restart and scan for hidden threats before Windows boots.

After the scan completes, Windows Security will display detected threats. If threats are found, follow the recommended actions such as Remove or Quarantine.

Method 2: Make sure your IP address is not blacklisted

Your IP address may be on a blacklist if you see an IP blocked error on a well-known website. Several websites block suspicious IP addresses to prevent spam.

Here’s what you do:

• Visit the website WhatIsMyIPAddress.com.
• The page automatically detects your IPv4 address. Copy it.
• Now, go to the Blacklist Check page, paste your IP address in the field below, and click Check IP Address.

The website will then show you a list of 80 anti-spam databases and your IP status on each. A green checkmark indicates your IP is not blocked in a database, while a red exclamation sign (!) means your IP has been banned.

To remove your IP from a blacklist, click on it and then follow the process indicated by the website. You may need to send an email explaining the issue and requesting removal or take steps to resolve the problem, such as changing your passwords, to avoid further issues.

Method 3: Change your IP address by restarting your router

Whenever you connect to the internet, you get a different dynamic IP address unless your ISP assigns you a permanent public IP address. This is not a problem except if the IP you were assigned was previously used for suspicious activity by someone else. Such an IP might already be facing blocks or restrictions.

Restarting your router or modem can get you a new, unbanned IP address, which might solve the problem.

Here’s how to do it: 

• Use the power button to turn off your router and modem. If there are no specific buttons, unplug them from the power source and leave them off for at least ten seconds.
• Turn your modem and router back on.
• Open a web browser on your computer and try to access the restricted site again.

Method 4: Turn your VPN on or off

If you’re using a VPN, the IP address that your VPN service provides may be restricted, which can block access to some websites. Some websites also do not allow users to use VPNs.

They do this by detecting the IP addresses associated with VPN servers, which are often shared by many users. Some websites also use more advanced methods like deep packet inspection to identify VPN traffic.

Here’s how to fix this: 

Switch off VPN

Before visiting the website, turn off any VPNs you may be using. If the VPN’s IP address is causing the block, this might help.

Turn on VPN

If you don’t currently use a VPN but have access to one, switch it on before visiting the restricted website. You can use both premium and free VPN services.

When you turn on your VPN, your computer will get a new IP address. This may help you access websites that have blocked your original IP address.

Method 5: Connect to another Wi-Fi network

Connecting to a different Wi-Fi network is another alternative. By changing your network, you’ll receive a new IP address.

If there are no Wi-Fi networks around you, you can connect to your phone’s hotspot. Turn on cellular data on the phone and then turn on the hotspot. 

You might be able to access the website that blocked you again when you switch to a different network.

Method 6: Disable the firewall temporarily

If you are still getting the error, you could disable your firewall temporarily to determine if it’s causing the problem.

Follow these steps to disable it temporarily:

Step 1: Press Win + R, type control panel, and press Enter.

Step 2: Click on Windows Defender Firewall (if View by is set to Category, click System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall).

Step 3: In the left panel, click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

Step 4: Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for both private and public networks.

Step 5: Click OK, then try accessing the website again. If the website works with your firewall turned off, then the firewall is likely the problem.

What if the firewall is the cause?

You can choose to turn off your firewall every time you visit this website, which is not recommended for security reasons. Another option is to adjust your settings to allow access to the blocked website while keeping your system secure. Follow these steps:

• Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

• Select the browser you use to access the website on the list, check both Private and Public networks, and click OK.

Method 7: Use a proxy server

If you don’t use a VPN, you can use a proxy server as an alternative. In this case, your computer and the website you’re attempting to visit are connected through a proxy server, which hides your IP address, giving you more freedom and privacy.

However, most websites and services recognize proxy servers and may restrict such IP addresses. When that happens, you’ll receive a message claiming that “the owner of this website has banned your IP address.”

To use a proxy server, first you need to find a proxy provider of your choice. You can search online for the best proxy servers, like MarsProxies, IPRoyal, or Storm Proxies. Once you have the proxy details from your provider, follow these steps:

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Step 2: Go to Network & internet and click on Proxy.

Step 3: Under Manual proxy setup, click Set up next to Use a proxy server.

Step 4: Toggle the Use a proxy server button on and enter the IP address and port provided by your proxy provider.

Once you are done, click Save.

Method 8: Change the DNS server

DNS servers translate web addresses into IP addresses. The error could be the result of DNS server problems. So you could fix this by changing your DNS server using the Control Panel. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Control Panel.

Step 2: In Control Panel, go to Network and Sharing Center.

Step 3: Click on Change adapter settings.

Step 4: Go to Properties by right-clicking your Wi-Fi connection.

Step 5: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Step 6: Select the option that says Use the following DNS server addresses and enter the information below: 

• Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS server: 8.8.8.8

Step 7: Click OK to close.

Changing DNS servers may solve the issue by guaranteeing accurate address translation and potentially fixing the “Your IP has been temporarily blocked” error.

However, if you prefer other alternatives, check the table below:

You can also use the network connection settings to change your IP address. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type control panel, and hit Enter.

Step 2: Select Network and Sharing Center, then click Change adapter settings on the left.

Step 3: Right-click the network adapter for which you want to change the IP and select Properties.

Step 4: Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.

Step 5: Choose Use the following IP address, then enter your desired IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway. You will also need to enter details for DNS.

• Click OK to save the changes.

Method 10: Contact your ISP

Sometimes the IP lock could be as a result of network issues from your internet service provider (ISP). So, if nothing has worked to this point, reach out to them and describe the situation. They just might have a solution.

Method 11: Contact the website

If your ISP cannot fix the issue, you can contact the website’s webmaster to clarify your situation, especially if you believe your IP address was mistakenly restricted. You can use Whois Lookup to find the website owner’s details.

You can also try acceccing the website from a different device.

Next, check the website’s Contact page for their email or contact form. Reach out to explain your problem.

There’s a good chance you’ll get clarification on the reasons behind the IP ban.

Here is a summary of all the methods to unblock your IP address:

How to Prevent the “Your IP Has Been Banned” Error in the Future

To prevent the hassle of having to unblock your IP in the future, you can take proactive steps:

• Avoid untrustworthy websites and downloads. Visiting unsafe websites or downloading files from unknown sources can expose your device to malware. Stick to reputable sites to ensure your device remains protected.
• Install reliable security software. Use a good antivirus program along with trusted anti-malware solution like Auslogics Anti-Malware to safeguard your personal information and devices. Additionally, using a firewall can help you monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.
• Keep software up to date. Regularly update your operating system, web browser, and other applications. Doing this will close security vulnerabilities and protect your device from potential attacks.
• Use strong passwords for Wi-Fi. Protect your Wi-Fi network with strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized access. A compromised network can lead to malicious activity that might result in an IP block.
• Monitor network activity. Regularly check your router’s connected devices list to ensure no unauthorized users are using your network. If unknown devices appear, remove them and update your Wi-Fi security settings.
• Use a VPN wisely. There are many benefits of using a VPN, like hiding your real IP address, but using free or low-quality VPN services can lead to IP blocks if their servers are blacklisted. Choose a reputable VPN provider to stay secure.
• Limit public Wi-Fi use. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities. Some of these shared networks can expose your IP, leading to security risks and potential misuse by other users.
• Avoid excessive automated actions. Performing repeated actions, such as making too many requests to a website or engaging in automated tasks like web scraping, can trigger an IP ban. Be cautious about how often you interact with websites.

Build a Positive Reputation to Avoid an IP Ban

Now that you have fixed the issue, you need to prevent this IP blocking in the future. This typically involves building a good online reputation by ensuring your network is not involved in any harmful activities.

Regularly scan your devices for malware, avoid suspicious websites, and be mindful of your online behavior. If you share your network with others, set clear guidelines to prevent accidental misuse, such as excessive requests or unauthorized access attempts. Taking these proactive steps will help maintain a clean record and avoid disruptions while browsing online.

Finally, we’d love to hear from you! Do you have any tips or experiences related to avoiding IP bans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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