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HWID banned on a new PC on a game i've only played on console

Marshall Reid 0 Reputation points
2026-02-16T01:40:03.6+00:00

I've bought myself a new PC to use to play with friends and to edit videos as a hobby, but my friends asked me to play "Fortnite" which is a game I only ever played on console like 6 years ago, I kept getting kicked from the game and i've done some searching and found out that im hardware banned from a game i've never played on PC, could this be a error from manufacturing or something how can I go about fixing this issue?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Gaming
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  1. Carl-L 13,525 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-02-18T09:13:04.8633333+00:00

    Hello Marshall Reid,

    Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

    I understand how frustrating it is when you got a hardware ban and cannot play your game.

    Hardware level ban will usually be rolled out by the game itself instead of the gaming platform. So it is very unlikely that this is a manufacturing issue since hardware ban will block the device from accessing the game itself. In this case, I suggest that you try to contact the seller to see if your computer is a brand new one or a used one. For more details about the ban, you will need to contact Epic Game Support since this ban is not rolled out by Microsoft. Thank you for your understanding.

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  2. Q&A Assist
    2026-02-16T01:40:15.46+00:00
    AI generated content. This question contains an answer created with AI from Q&A Assist. Learn more

    It seems that you are experiencing a hardware ban (HWID ban) on your new PC for a game you have only played on console. This can happen if your new hardware has been previously associated with a banned account or if there is a mistake in the ban enforcement system. Here are some steps you can take to address the issue:

    1. Contact Support: Reach out to the game's customer support team. Provide them with details about your situation, including the fact that you have only played on console. They may be able to clarify the ban and help resolve it.
    2. Check for Previous Bans: If you have used the same hardware (or components) in a different account or game, it might be worth checking if that account was banned. Sometimes, bans can carry over to new accounts if the hardware is the same.
    3. Factory Reset: If you suspect that the ban is tied to your hardware, performing a factory reset on your PC might help, but this is a more drastic measure and may not guarantee a resolution.
    4. Change Hardware: If all else fails and you are still facing issues, consider changing some hardware components (like the motherboard or hard drive) to see if that resolves the ban.
    5. Wait It Out: Sometimes, bans can be temporary. If you believe this might be the case, you could wait and see if the ban is lifted after some time.

    It's important to note that hardware bans are typically enforced to prevent cheating and maintain fair play, so resolving them can sometimes be complicated.

    References:

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