Have you ever faced an on-screen message something like “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked”? Such errors usually turn out to be quite frustrating and confusing for any surfer if he doesn’t know why this is happening or how to fix the issue.
In this article, we will discuss some of the reasons this error occurs and, furthermore, consider seven effective methods of tackling the issue.
Why do you get this “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” error?
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand why this error occurs. Websites and servers implement IP blocking as a security measure to protect against various threats, including:
- Suspicious activity may also be considered: If your IP address is recognized as acting suspiciously, such as having a lot of failed login attempts or making rapid-fire requests. That may also flag the maliciousness of your IP address.
- Geographic restrictions: Some sites restrict access based on geographic location, banning IP addresses in certain countries or regions.
- Malware/Botnets: Your device could host malware or be part of a botnet where, unbeknownst to you, your IP address gets blacklisted because of all the bad stuff that you are conducting on the network. Shared IP addresses: If you have an IP address that is shared, it may be the case that one person’s action leads to everyone getting banned.
- Server protection: Some websites ban IP addresses to prevent Distributed Denial-of-Service attacks or to throttle heavy traffic. Therefore, understanding these reasons can help you identify the potential cause of your IP block and consequently choose the most appropriate solution.
7 Ways to Resolve a “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” Error
1. Check if Your IP Address Is Blacklisted
The first step in resolving an IP block is to determine whether a blacklist includes your IP address. Fortunately, several online tools can also help you check your IP status:
- MxToolbox (https://mxtoolbox.com/blacklists.aspx)
- IPVoid (https://www.ipvoid.com/)
- Barracuda Central (http://www.barracudacentral.org/rbl)
To use these tools:
- Find your current IP address by searching “What is my IP” on Google or visiting a site like whatismyip.com.
- Enter your IP address into the blacklist-checking tool.
- Review the results to see if your IP appears on any blacklists.
If your IP is blacklisted:
- Identify which blacklists have flagged your IP.
- Visit the websites of those blacklists to understand their removal processes.
- Follow their instructions to request removal, which may involve filling out forms or sending emails.
- Be patient, as removal can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.
2. Get a New IP Address by Restarting Your Router
Most ISPs assign dynamic IP addresses, which periodically change. Sometimes, simply turning your router on and off will cause a new IP address to be assigned-one that is not blocked. Here’s how you do it:
- Unplug your router from the power source.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully reboot.
- Check if your IP address has changed by comparing it to the one you noted earlier.
If your IP hasn’t changed, you could leave the router unplugged for a longer period, like overnight. Sometimes this takes that little extra time when an ISP assigns the new IP.
Note: Some ISPs might assign either static or longer lease times to dynamic IPs, so this might not be guaranteed.
3. Toggle Your VPN On or Off
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be both a solution and a cause of IP blocks. Here’s how to use this method:
If you’re not using a VPN:
- Consider turning one on to mask your real IP address.
- Choose a reputable VPN service and connect to a server.
- Check if the website is now accessible with your new IP.
If you’re already using a VPN:
- Try disconnecting from the VPN to use your regular IP address.
- If the site becomes accessible, the VPN’s IP may have been blocked.
- Try connecting to a different VPN server to get a new IP address.
Benefits of using a VPN:
- Masks your real IP address
- Enhances online privacy and security
- Can bypass geographic restrictions
Potential drawbacks:
- Some websites block known VPN IP addresses
- May slow down your internet connection
- Free VPNs might have data limits or security risks
4. Use Your Mobile Phone’s Internet With Your Computer
If your home network’s IP is blocked, alternatively, using your mobile phone’s internet connection can provide a quick workaround. In fact, this process is called tethering. Here’s how to do it:
For iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot
- Toggle on “Allow Others to Join”
- Note the Wi-Fi password displayed
For Android (may vary by device):
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering
- Tap on “Wi-Fi Hotspot” and toggle it on
- Set up a network name and password
On your computer:
- Connect to the phone’s Wi-Fi network using the provided name and password
- Your computer will now use the phone’s cellular data connection
Limitations and considerations:
- Data usage: Tethering can quickly consume your mobile data plan
- Speed: May be slower than your regular internet connection
- Battery drain: Tethering significantly affects your phone’s battery life
- Carrier restrictions: Some mobile plans may not allow tethering or charge extra fees
5. Run an Antivirus Scan on Your Computer
Some malware operating on your device may generate suspicious activities that will ban your IP address. Therefore, performing a deep antivirus scan will detect and remove threats. Proceed as follows:
- Use built-in security tools:
- Windows: Run Windows Defender
- Mac: Use XProtect (runs automatically in the background)
- Install and run one of the following trusted third-party antivirus applications:
- Examples include Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, or Avast
- Update your antivirus application to its latest version before commencing scanning.
- Run a full system scan; this might take some hours
- If malware is detected:
- Follow the antivirus software’s instructions to quarantine or remove the threats
- After cleaning your system, consider changing the passwords of your vital accounts.
- Keep your system protected:
- Regularly update operating systems and software
- Be cautious in downloading any files or clicking links
- Consider using a reputed ad-blocker to avoid malvertising
6. Contact the Website
In case the block of IP persists, it is usually possible to fix the problem directly by contacting the website. Here are steps you may follow:
- Find contact details of the website
- Look for the “Contact Us” page.
- Check at the bottom of the website, where email or a contact form is usually located.
- Look for the support or help center of the site.
- Prepare your message:
- Describe the “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” error
- Supply your IP address and date/time that first presented the problem
- Describe any troubleshooting that has been done so far
- Be polite and patient:
- Be respectful in your correspondence; know that response times may differ entirely because of the site
- Follow up if necessary:
- If, after several days, no response has been received, send a polite follow-up; if email doesn’t work, try to contact them through their website’s social media
- Provide additional information if requested:
- The website may request logs or other information for them to debug the issue
- Cooperate fully and expedite the hearing process.
7. Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
If all other methods fail, your ISP may be able to help resolve the IP block. Here’s how to approach this option:
- Gather information:
- Note down the blocked IP address
- List the websites where you’re experiencing the block
- Document any error messages you’ve received
- Contact your ISP’s support:
- Use their customer service phone number or online chat
- Explain the “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” error
- Provide the information you gathered
- Request assistance:
- Ask if they can assign you a new IP address
- Inquire about any known issues with your current IP
- See if they can contact the blocking website on your behalf
- Follow their instructions:
- Your ISP may guide you through additional troubleshooting steps
- They might need to escalate the issue to their technical team
- Be prepared for potential solutions:
- Your ISP might offer to reset your connection remotely
- They may schedule a technician visit if hardware issues are suspected
- In some cases, they might suggest upgrading your service plan
Remember that while your ISP can often help, they may not always be able to resolve IP blocks imposed by individual websites.
Conclusion
Seeing a “Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked” message can be annoying. However, with these seven methods, you have the tools to fix the problem. Begin with easy steps, such as checking blacklists or restarting your router. Then, if these don’t work, proceed to more detailed solutions. By understanding why IP blocks occur and how to resolve them, you can successfully manage this common internet issue and start browsing again quickly.
