If you’ve ever created a new Dead by Daylight (DbD) account only to find yourself locked out from playing, you might’ve run into what’s called a hardware ban. This kind of ban is pretty serious because it doesn’t just stop your account from accessing the game—it locks out your entire device. So even if you start fresh with a new account, you’re still blocked. For many players, this can be confusing and frustrating, especially if they don’t understand how it all works.
In Dead by Daylight, hardware bans are part of the anti-cheat measures designed to keep the game fair and enjoyable. But understanding what a hardware ban actually is—and why it’s such a tough hurdle—is important, whether you’re a casual player or someone who’s tempted by cheats or exploits. Let’s dig into how hardware bans work in DbD, why they happen, and what gamers should keep in mind to avoid them.
What Exactly Is a Hardware Ban in Dead by Daylight?
Think about the usual bans in online games. Most of the time, if you break the rules, the game just blocks your account. That means you can’t play with that username, but if you’re determined, you might make a new account and jump back in (though this is usually against the rules too).
A hardware ban changes the game. Instead of blocking just your account, it blocks your actual piece of hardware—your computer or console. It does this by looking at unique identifiers tied to your device’s physical parts. These unique bits of information are what the game’s servers use to recognize your machine and decide if it’s allowed to connect.
In DbD, this means when the ban kicks in, no matter how many new accounts you create, your device won’t be able to play. It’s a way to make sure people who cheat or keep breaking the rules don’t keep coming back over and over.
How Does Dead by Daylight Enforce Hardware Bans?
Dead by Daylight uses Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC), one of the most common anti-cheat systems around. It watches the game as you play, looking for anything suspicious—like cheat software running in the background, or strange behaviors in gameplay that don’t make sense for a normal player.
When EAC flags your machine for cheating, the game matches your device’s hardware information against a blacklist. If your hardware ID (or HWID for short) is listed, the server won’t let your computer connect anymore.
So what exactly makes up this hardware ID? It’s a combination of a few things in your computer:
- CPU or Processor ID: A string of characters unique to your processor.
- Motherboard Serial Number: Like a fingerprint for your motherboard.
- MAC Address: Each network card in your computer has its own unique address.
- Hard Drive or SSD Serial Number: Your storage device tags your system.
- System UUID: A special ID stored in your computer's BIOS.
By combining all these pieces, the game builds a unique ID that’s very hard to fake or switch out without physically changing parts of your computer.
Why Do Players Receive Hardware Bans?
In Dead by Daylight, hardware bans aren’t thrown around lightly. They’re usually reserved for players who either cheat seriously or keep breaking the rules despite previous warnings. Some common reasons are:
- Using Cheats: Things like aimbots (which automatically aim for you), wallhacks (letting you see through walls), or other cheating software.
- Exploiting Bugs: Some players find and abuse glitches or bugs to gain unfair advantages, like infinite stamina or invincibility.
- Toxic Behavior: While less common for hardware bans, consistent harassment, griefing, or disconnecting repeatedly can lead to tougher penalties.
- Network Tricks: Using tricks like lag switching to disrupt or unfairly influence gameplay.
Basically, if you get reported enough times for serious offenses, or if the cheat detection system catches clear proof of cheating, your device might get hardware banned.
How Long Do Hardware Bans Last in Dead by Daylight?
Hardware bans aren’t always forever. Sometimes they’re temporary, and other times they’re permanent. It really depends on how bad the offense was.
- Temporary Bans: These might last from a few days up to a month or so. They’re usually meant to give players a serious warning without completely cutting them off.
- Permanent Bans: If you’re caught cheating multiple times, or if the cheating is particularly bad, you might never get back online with that device.
The game’s anti-cheat team looks at things like how severe your actions were, whether you’ve been banned before, and what sort of cheat or exploit you used. Repeat offenders often skip the temporary ban phase altogether and go straight to a hardware ban.
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What Can You Do If You Get Hardware Banned in DBD?
If you’re hardware banned, the situation can feel pretty hopeless. But there is a chance to appeal if you genuinely believe the ban was a mistake or if there’s a misunderstanding.
When submitting an appeal, it’s best to be honest and clear. Explain your side of the story in detail. If you didn’t cheat or use any exploit, share any proof you have. Mention whether you’ve recently changed any hardware components or shared your device with someone else.
Keep in mind, though, that appeals for hardware bans are tough. The success rates are pretty low, mostly because the system is designed to catch serious offenders, not people who just got unlucky.
How to Avoid Getting Hardware Banned in DBD?
The most straightforward way to steer clear of a hardware ban is to never cheat or abuse the game. It’s as simple as that. But beyond just the big no-cheating rule, there are some other good habits to keep:
- Avoid any software that claims to give you an unfair edge, even if it seems harmless.
- Don’t exploit bugs or rely on glitches to beat other players.
- Play respectfully—avoid griefing, harassing teammates or opponents, and don’t disconnect just to dodge losses.
- Read and follow the game’s terms of service. It’s not just legal jargon; it describes what’s fair and what’s not.
- If you share your device with friends or family, remind them to play clean too. A ban from their cheating can affect you.
What About Trying to Bypass a Hardware Ban?
Some players look for ways around a hardware ban, but it isn’t as simple as making a new account.
There's software called HWID spoofers that attempt to trick the game into thinking your device is different by faking those unique hardware identifiers. Others try physically swapping out parts like the motherboard or network card to change their hardware profile. Some turn to VPNs hoping to hide their IP addresses, but this doesn’t help with hardware bans because the ban is tied to the device itself, not the network.
All of these methods come with risks. Spoofers might be flagged by Easy Anti-Cheat, leading to even harsher punishments. Hardware changes can be expensive and time-consuming. And using VPNs or spoofers can sometimes even cause your system to crash or create other problems.
A Closer Look: Some Real Data on Dead by Daylight Hardware Bans
While exact numbers aren’t publicly released by the developers, community reports and observations give us a rough idea:
- Hardware bans make up about 5 to 10% of total bans in DbD, though this can change depending on the region and time.
- Typical temporary bans last about one to four weeks.
- The most common hardware components scanned are CPU IDs, motherboard serial numbers, MAC addresses, and storage device serials.
- Easy Anti-Cheat is the go-to system behind most DbD hardware bans.
- Appeals are successful less than 10% of the time.
- Around 60 to 70% of hardware bans are on players who had already received account bans before.
- Most detected cheats involve aimbots, wallhacks, or ESP (extra sensory perception) hacks that reveal enemy locations.
What Does This All Mean for Dead by Daylight Players?
Understanding hardware bans in DbD clears up a lot of confusion. They’re designed to keep repeat cheaters out by cutting access to their devices, not just their accounts. This keeps the game fairer and means you don’t run into the same troublemakers again and again.
But it also means the stakes are higher. If you get caught cheating even once seriously, the game could kick you off for good. Knowing what gets players banned and how the system works helps you make smart choices. Avoid cheats, don’t abuse bugs, and respect others in the game.
If you ever do get hardware banned, remember that appealing takes time and a clear explanation. Trying to trick the system with spoofers or hardware swaps might backfire and cost you more.
In the end, playing fair is still the best way to enjoy Dead by Daylight—and keep the experience exciting and challenging for everyone.