Your IP Has Been Temporarily Blocked: How to Resolve

Getting blocked from a website or online service can be incredibly frustrating, but don’t worry! I’ve got you covered.

In this guide, I’ll help you figure out how to deal with an IP address block and walk you through the best virtual private networks (VPNs) for unblocking your IP address and ensuring smooth, unrestricted Internet access.

In a hurry? Here are the 3 best VPNs for unblocking your IP

Unblock your IP address in no time with one of these 3 VPNs.

Key takeaways

1. IP blocks can happen due to network issues, suspicious activity, blacklisting, or geo-restrictions.
2. You can resolve IP address roadblocks directly with your ISP, website, or service you want to access.
3. A quality VPN can bypass blocks by providing a new IP address.
4. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for any IP address issues.

Why am I getting an IP block?

Here are some reasons your IP address could be blocked.

Network issues

The IP block may come from network issues with your Internet service provider (ISP) itself, either because of network congestion or suspicious activity from your IP address.

Any violations of your ISP’s terms of service, like hosting an unauthorized Wi-Fi network from your IP address, will result in a block. In addition, an excessive number of requests from your IP address looks suspicious and could lead to a block.

Network issues typically lead to a temporary block. As soon as the issues are resolved, your IP address will be unblocked.

Suspicious activity

If there is suspicious activity coming from your IP address, you could get a temporary block.

Suspicious activities include excessive login attempts, rapid multiple-page requests, DDoS attacks, or anything resembling bot activity. The temporary block will be removed when the suspect activity from your IP address stops.

Blacklisting

If your IP address gets linked to malicious activity, such as malware distribution, spamming, or phishing, your IP address could get blacklisted for security reasons. Blacklisting will prevent you from accessing specific websites or services.

Don’t assume you are safe just because you’ve never engaged in malicious activity online. The activity may be coming from a virus on your device, or if you have a shared IP address, you could get blamed for someone else’s bad actions.

Geo-restrictions

Some websites are only available in specific regions. For example, Netflix libraries are different in every country, and most gambling sites are geo-restricted to ensure that all local online gambling laws are upheld.

Anyone signing in to one of these websites with an IP address from a restricted country will get blocked.

IP address blocked? Here’s what you can do

If your IP address is blocked, here’s what you need to do:

Contact the blocked website

Reach out to the website directly. They can tell you how to resolve the issues that led to your block, and once all suspicious activity has been dealt with, they should unblock your IP address.

Check for blacklisting

You can find out if your IP address has been blacklisted on Whatismyipaddress.com or Spamhouse. These sites will provide you with your IP address and a list of blacklisted IPs. If your IP is on the blacklist, follow the website’s instructions to request removal from the list.

Complete a malware scan

Running an antivirus scan can identify any malware generating the suspect activity from your device’s IP address. If malware is detected, follow the prompts to remove the malicious content from your device.

Contact your ISP

If network issues are the source of your blocked access, contact your ISP directly. They will help you resolve any violations of the ISP’s terms of service or suspicious activity associated with your blocked IP address.

Use a VPN

A premium VPN can bypass IP address blocks by giving you a new IP address in the country of your choice. It’s as simple as picking a server location on the VPN’s app and clicking Connect.

3 best VPNs for privacy and security

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN can unblock IP addresses easily while securing your Internet connection. It’s also incredibly fast and easy to use!

Features: I love that ExpressVPN’s advanced features go well beyond access to blocked websites and services. It also protects my device with malware blocking, ad blocking, tracker blocking, and a password manager. Plus, it has a server network of 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, so I can easily access online services worldwide.

Speed: Speed is essential for smooth performance, and ExpressVPN never lets me down. It held on to an impressive 97% of its baseline download speed during speed testing.

Privacy and security: I know I’m safe from cyber-attacks with ExpressVPN’s military-grade encryption, leak protection, and independently audited no-logs policy.

Performance: Not only does ExpressVPN have an unbeatable ability to get past a blocked IP address, but it also supports smooth streaming, gaming, torrenting, and browsing.

Streaming: With Express, I can easily access geo-restricted libraries on Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and other popular streaming services.

Compatibility: The apps on ExpressVPN are intuitively designed to work with macOS, iOS, Linux, Windows, and Android devices.

Pricing: Subscribe for one year and pay $6.67/month. The plan includes 8 simultaneous connections, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN

If you’re looking for a premium VPN that can get around a blocked IP address without paying a premium price, NordVPN is a great choice.

Features: Some of my favorite NordVPN features are the ad-blocker, malware protection, dark web monitoring, and split tunneling. You can access websites and services worldwide on its 7,100+ servers in 118 countries.

Speed: NordVPN is fast enough for all your online needs, holding on to 98% of its baseline download speeds on local connections.

Privacy and security: Your online privacy and security are protected by military-grade encryption, a verified no-logs policy, and robust leak protection.

Performance: Beyond helping with blocked IP addresses, you can expect a strong performance for browsing, streaming, gaming, and torrenting.

Streaming: You can access hours of online entertainment without geo-restrictions getting in your way on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and lots more!

Compatibility: Nord’s intuitively designed apps are compatible with Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS devices.

Pricing: Pricing begins at $3.39/month. Each subscription comes with 10 simultaneous device connections, 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. Surfshark

You don’t need to pay a lot to get reliable service and great features with Surfshark as your provider. Plus, it comes with unlimited simultaneous connections, making it a smart choice for large households.

Features: I can’t believe the number of features this budget VPN offers. It comes with ad-blocking, malware protection, dark web monitoring, split tunneling, static IPs, and more! Its network of 3,200+ servers in 100 countries gives users broad access to geo-restricted sites worldwide.

Speed: I maintained a solid 81% of my baseline download speed using Surfshark, which is not as fast as the premium providers but still quick enough for most online activities.

Privacy and security: When you use Surfshark, your device is protected by military-grade encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and robust leak protection.

Performance: Surfshark performs well for streaming, browsing, gaming, and torrenting. You may experience occasional delays, but switching to a different server should resolve any issues.

Streaming: Enjoy geo-restricted content on all your favorite streaming sites, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more!

Compatibility: Surfshark’s intuitive apps work with Android, Windows, Linux, macOS, and iOS devices.

Pricing: Subscriptions start at $1.99/month and come with unlimited devices, 24/7 support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Can I unblock my IP with a free VPN?

You may be able to unblock your IP with a free VPN, but I wouldn’t count on it. Free providers are more easily detected as a VPN and don’t always have the advanced software needed to bypass blocks. If your IP address is blocked and you want dependable, unrestricted access to the Internet, you’re better off with a trusted subscription plan that fits your budget.

FAQ

How do you fix it when your IP has been temporarily blocked?

If your IP has a temporary block, reach out to your Internet service provider or the particular website you want to access to identify and address the problem.

How do I stop IP blocking?

You can stop a block by contacting your ISP, the website you want to access, or checking for blacklisting.

How long does a temporary IP ban last?

The length of the ban depends on the reason your IP address was blocked. Network issues or suspect activity can be resolved quickly. Blacklisting and geo-blocks can take more time.

What happens when an IP address is blocked?

When an IP address gets blocked, you won’t be able to complete any online activities associated with that IP address.

Conclusion

Don’t let an IP address ban hold you back from full online access. A quality VPN can get all of your devices connected in no time. I recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN for getting past an IP address block. It’s fast, dependable, secure, and easy to use!