How to Tell If You Are HWID Banned on Valorant

Hardware bans are the most severe punishment in Valorant. Unlike account suspensions that limit one profile, an HWID (Hardware ID) ban locks your entire computer out of the game by blacklisting your motherboard, disk drives, and network components. If you suspect you've been hit with this restriction, immediate confirmation is critical—attempting to play on new accounts during an active ban can extend your suspension or make it permanent.

The Definitive Symptoms

HWID bans present specific error patterns that distinguish them from standard account bans or temporary suspensions. Check for these indicators:

Error Code VAN 152: This is the primary hardware ban identifier. When you see "Hardware Banned" or "Error 152" during login, Vanguard has flagged your machine's components. Standard account bans display different error codes or simply state "Account Suspended."

Instant Bans on Fresh Accounts: Create a new Riot account with a different email and launch Valorant. If you receive a ban within seconds—before reaching the main menu or agent select—your hardware is blacklisted. Account bans take time to trigger or require gameplay reports; HWID bans are immediate and automatic.

Persists Through System Changes: Standard bans resolve after uninstalling or waiting. HWID bans survive Windows reinstalls, disk formatting, and IP changes via VPN. If you've wiped your entire system and still get banned on new accounts within minutes, Vanguard has logged your physical hardware serials.

The 60-Second Confirmation Test

Use this diagnostic sequence to confirm your ban type:

Results:

• Immediate VAN 152 or kick to desktop: Confirmed HWID ban
• Can play 1+ games then banned: Account flagged for behavior/cheating (not hardware)
• Plays normally: Your original account was banned, but hardware is clean

HWID Ban vs. Other Restrictions

Understanding the distinction prevents wasted time on incorrect solutions:

Technical Confirmation

For advanced verification, check your hardware identifiers:

Check SMBIOS Data: Press Windows Key + R, type msinfo32, and check Baseboard Serial Number. If this shows as "To Be Filled By O.E.M." or random characters after a supposed ban lift, spoofing software was used. Clean hardware shows manufacturer serials.

Command Line Check: Open CMD as Administrator and run wmic diskdrive get serialnumber. HWID-banned machines often show altered or randomized serials if spoofers were previously attempted.

What Not to Do

Once confirmed, avoid these common mistakes that worsen your situation:

• Don't create multiple test accounts: Each attempt resets your 120-day unban timer and flags you as an evader
• Don't use free spoofers: These often contain malware and trigger immediate permanent bans when detected
• Don't submit angry tickets: Riot Support ignores aggressive appeals; wait 120 days then request calm review
• Don't let friends log in: Their accounts get banned too, and Riot tracks account associations

Verification Complete

HWID bans are binary—you either have one or you don't. The instant-ban test on fresh accounts is the only confirmation you need. If you're clean, new accounts work normally. If banned, every attempt fails within seconds showing VAN 152.

Once confirmed, decide your path: wait the 120 days in complete isolation (no test logins), replace your motherboard/CPU/disk hardware, or use professional spoofing to mask your serials. The test takes 60 seconds; the decision affects months of gameplay.