If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been banned in a game like Call of Duty, Fortnite, Escape from Tarkov, DayZ, Apex Legends, or Rust — and now you’re getting the infamous “Account Banned” or “Shadowbanned” message… again… even on a fresh account.
Welcome to the world of HWID bans. In this guide, we’ll explain what HWID bans are, how they differ from shadow bans, how games track your hardware, and most importantly — how to bypass it using an HWID Spoofer.
This is the ultimate 2025 guide, updated for the latest anti-cheat systems including Ricochet (CoD), BattlEye, Easy Anti-Cheat, and others.
🚫 What Is an HWID Ban?
HWID stands for Hardware ID. When you play a game, the anti-cheat software collects unique identifiers from your system — such as:
- Motherboard serial number
- Disk drive ID
- CPU ID
- MAC address
- BIOS version
- Windows installation ID
- GPU ID
When you’re caught cheating (or even sometimes wrongly flagged), your account gets banned, and then your hardware gets flagged too.
That means any new account you try to use on the same system will also get banned, often instantly or within minutes.
This is called an HWID ban, and it’s way more serious than a regular account ban.
👻 What Is a Shadow Ban?
A shadow ban is a temporary restriction where you’re not told you’re banned, but your account starts behaving oddly:
- Long matchmaking queues
- Bots and cheaters only lobbies
- No XP progression
- Can’t invite or play with friends
- Items or features get locked out
In games like Call of Duty, Fortnite, and Apex, shadow bans usually last 7 to 14 days, but if your hardware is also flagged, it can repeat indefinitely.
You’ll often get shadowbanned on fresh accounts, even if you didn’t cheat on that account — that’s how you know you have a full HWID ban.
🔒 What Happens When You’re HWID Banned?
Let’s break it down simply:
What You Do | What Happens |
---|---|
Make a new account | Still banned or shadowbanned |
Reinstall Windows | Still banned |
Use a VPN | Still banned |
Change IP address | Still banned |
Buy a new game key | Still banned |
Buy a new PC | Ban is gone ✅ |
So yes — an HWID ban sticks to your hardware, not your account. Once they’ve got your serials, they’ll auto-flag anything new that logs in from that machine.
⚠️ Shadow Ban vs HWID Ban – Know the Difference
Type of Ban | What It Means | Common in… |
---|---|---|
Account Ban | Your game account is banned; you can make a new one. | Fortnite, CoD, Apex |
Shadow Ban | You’re not “fully” banned, but your games feel awful. You get 250ms ping, matches full of hackers, bots, or lag. | CoD Warzone/MW3, Fortnite |
HWID Ban | Your entire PC is flagged, every new account gets banned instantly or after a few games. | Tarkov, CoD, Rust, DayZ |
🛠️ What Is an HWID Spoofer?
An HWID Spoofer is a tool that fakes your hardware ID. It tricks the anti-cheat into thinking you’re playing from a brand new PC — even if nothing’s changed physically.
There are two main types:
🔹 Temporary Spoofer
- Changes HWIDs for the current session
- Once you restart your PC, changes are gone
- Easier to use, safer for beginners
- Needs to be reapplied every time
🔹 Permanent Spoofer
- Modifies hardware info in your system or registry
- Some survive restarts
- Riskier, but can be more powerful
- Can cause problems if misused
Some spoofers also come with a cleaner, which deletes logs, registry keys, cache files, and anything else that anti-cheat systems use to track you.
🎮 Games That Use HWID Bans (Updated 2025)
Not all games use HWID bans, but many top titles do — here’s a breakdown of what to expect:
Game | HWID Ban? | Spoofer Required? | Extra Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Call of Duty (MW3, BO6, etc.) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Uses Ricochet, very aggressive |
Fortnite | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Includes IP and MAC logging |
Escape from Tarkov | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Hardcore detection, traces left |
DayZ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | BattlEye bans are harsh |
Apex Legends | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | EA bans multiple serials |
Rust | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | EAC ban + possible IP shadow ban |
Valorant | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Vanguard is kernel-level |
PUBG / PUBG Mobile | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Detects spoofers too |
GTA V (Online) | ❌ No | ❌ No | Usually account-based bans only |
Roblox | ⚠️ Sometimes | ⚠️ Rarely | Depends on the exploit used |
If you’re banned in any of the above — a spoofer is your only real option short of buying a new PC.
🎮 Game-Specific Notes
🟢 Call of Duty (MW2, MW3, BO6, Warzone)
- Extremely aggressive HWID bans
- Shadow bans happen before full HWID bans
- Requires spoofer + cleaner + new account
- Best spoofers: Infinite/PO versions, manual mode preferred
🔵 Escape From Tarkov
- BSG issues HWID bans fast — even on login
- Logs and trace files matter a lot
- Cleaner is mandatory, or your new account dies in 24h
- Avoid high-KD behavior too early
🟣 Fortnite
- Uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC)
- Mostly temporary bans, but repeat offenders get HWID banned
- Permanent spoofers with Windows reinstall are best
- Can ban peripherals too (mouse, USB serials)
🔴 DayZ
- Uses BattlEye — bans both HWID and sometimes router MAC
- Clean trace files and use manual spoof
- New Steam account required
- Don’t forget to clear Steam logs
🟠 Apex Legends
- Easy Anti-Cheat
- HWID bans + IP flags
- Account + PC + behavior = linked
- Use cleaner + change MAC + spoof
💡 How to Safely Bypass an HWID Ban
Here’s how to do it step by step like a pro:
1. Uninstall the Game Completely
Delete all files, registry entries, config folders. Use uninstallers or do it manually.
2. Run a Log Cleaner
This clears leftover logs, crash dumps, tracking files, and cached HWID data. Some spoofers include this automatically.
3. Spoof Your HWID
Run your HWID Spoofer BEFORE launching the game launcher (Steam, Battle.net, Epic, etc). This ensures the anti-cheat sees the fake HWIDs from the start.
4. Create a New Game Account
Never reuse a banned or shadowed account. Always start fresh, preferably with a new email and clean IP (VPN is fine).
5. Launch Game
Now you’re fully clean — new hardware (virtually), new account, no traces. You’re back in the game.
⚠️ What NOT to Do
- ❌ Don’t reuse old accounts
- ❌ Don’t play unspoofed “just to check”
- ❌ Don’t ignore logs or registry leftovers
- ❌ Don’t spoof after launching the launcher
- ❌ Don’t assume one ban means only your account is flagged
🧠 Common Myths (Debunked)
Myth | Reality |
---|---|
I can just reinstall Windows | ❌ HWID info survives reinstalls unless manually spoofed |
I bought a new account, I’m safe | ❌ You’ll just get that one banned too |
Only cheap cheats get me banned | ❌ Even private, $200/month cheats get detected |
I’ll wait out the ban | ❌ HWID bans are permanent in most cases (Tarkov, COD, etc.) |
VPNs help avoid bans | ❌ VPN hides your IP, not your HWID |
🧼 What Is a Cleaner and Why It Matters
Anti-cheats like Ricochet, EAC, and BattlEye store logs in hidden folders and registry entries. If you spoof without cleaning:
Your new account might get shadow banned again within hours.
Always clean first, then spoof. Think of it like disinfecting a crime scene.
🤔 Can You Ever Remove an HWID Ban Permanently?
Short answer: No — unless you replace your motherboard, drives, and possibly CPU. Some bans last months, others years, and some never expire.
Even if your HWID ban eventually wears off, you’re at high risk of getting rebanned instantly.
That’s why most cheat users use a spoofer permanently, as part of their setup.
⚠️ Common Spoofer Mistakes That Get You Banned Again
- Using free or public spoofers – 90% are scams or detected
- Logging into old banned accounts after spoofing – this links your new HWID to an old ban
- Launching Steam/BattleNet before spoofing
- Forgetting to clean traces from old banned files (logs, registry, temp folders)
🧹 Bonus: Do You Need a Cleaner?
Some spoofers come with a cleaner, which deletes:
- Logs from anti-cheats (e.g., BattleEye, EAC, Ricochet)
- Traces of cheats (in temp folders, registry, etc.)
- Cache of previous game sessions
While not always required, using a cleaner reduces your detection risk, especially after a ban.
🧾 HWID Ban Checklist – What to Do
✅ Got banned on your main account?
→ That account is dead. Never use it again.
✅ New account gets banned fast?
→ You’re HWID banned. You need a spoofer.
✅ Still getting banned after spoofing?
→ You’re doing something wrong. Use a proper cleaner, new account, and spoof before anything else launches.
🎮 Popular Games That Use HWID Bans
- Call of Duty Series (BO6, MW3, MW2, Warzone) – uses Ricochet anti-cheat
- Escape from Tarkov – uses BattlEye, very aggressive HWID detection
- DayZ / Rust – also uses BattlEye
- Fortnite – uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), HWID bans rare but possible
- Apex Legends – EA HWID bans for repeat offenders
- PUBG – HWID bans and shadow bans both apply
✅ Final Advice
Avoid reusing emails, names, or payment methods
Always use a private, undetected HWID spoofer
Always play on clean, fresh accounts
Never log into banned accounts
👑 Best HWID Spoofer Recommendation (2025)
At CrazyCapyStore, we offer tested and working HWID spoofers for:
- COD (MW2, MW3, BO6)
- Escape from Tarkov
- Fortnite
- DayZ, Rust, and more
🛒 Spoofers include:
- Permanent and temporary spoof modes
- Auto cleaner
- 24/7 support via Discord