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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsA used CPU may be associated with a hardware ban in a reported Valorant case, but that does not show that second-hand processors generally carry bans. Cybernews reported that a buyer in Germany said Riot support told them a used AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D was on Vanguard’s block list because its previous owner had cheated. The report does not establish independent Riot confirmation of the individual case.
What happened in the reported case?
In a report published October 2, 2026, Cybernews described a Valorant player in Germany who said they had bought a used Ryzen 7 5800X3D through classifieds. In the buyer’s post, translated by Cybernews, they wrote: “I recently bought a used Ryzen 7 5800X3D on classifieds,” and said they were immediately kicked from Valorant after having played successfully with a different CPU.
The buyer attributed the explanation to Riot support: they said support told them the processor was on Vanguard’s block list because the previous owner had cheated. Cybernews also reported the buyer’s claim that a motherboard and hard drive were flagged. Those details are the buyer’s account as reported by Cybernews, not independently confirmed findings from Riot. Cybernews said it had asked Riot for comment and would add a response; the cited report does not establish Riot’s confirmation of this specific case. Read Cybernews’s report.
The case raises a legitimate question—can a used CPU get you hardware-banned from Valorant? It offers an account of one buyer’s experience, not evidence that used processors generally carry game bans or that buyers commonly encounter them.
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What Riot says an HWID ban does
Riot’s support guidance describes a hardware ID (HWID) ban as “a drastic step” against players who consistently fail to follow its Community Pact or terms of service. Riot says the restriction applies to physical computer components, and means it does not want that person creating, accessing, or using an account on a Riot platform or game for the ban’s duration.
Riot identifies VAN 152 as the error shown when an HWID ban restricts access. Its guidance says reinstalling the game or deleting the account responsible for the ban will not remove the restriction. It also warns that using another account on a suspected banned computer can result in restrictions on that account. These points describe Riot’s general published policy; they do not independently verify the reported buyer’s situation. See Riot’s “Understanding Hardware ID (HWID) Bans” article.
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How to appeal a Riot HWID ban
Riot’s published route for a ban associated with negative in-game behavior or suspected cheating is to submit a support request for re-evaluation. Riot says it investigates and decides whether to lift or extend the ban; removal is possible, but not guaranteed.
- Contact Riot Player Support. Submit a support request asking for re-evaluation of the HWID ban. Explain the circumstances and identify the hardware change and purchase as clearly as possible.
- Wait for Riot’s review. Riot says it will investigate and decide whether the ban should be lifted or extended. The cited guidance does not promise a particular outcome or response time.
- Follow Riot’s instructions. Do not try another account on the suspected banned computer while the restriction is in place; Riot warns that account use on such a device can lead to further restrictions.
Riot says it will not generally consider lifting an HWID ban issued for a verifiable threat of harm, though it may make an exception in unique circumstances at its discretion. The policy therefore is not a blanket promise that every ban can be appealed successfully. Riot’s support article explains the re-evaluation policy.
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What not to assume or try
- Do not assume replacing a component will fix access. The reported account mentions a CPU, motherboard, and drive, but neither the report nor Riot’s published guidance establishes that replacing any of them restores access.
- Do not treat a bypass device or spoofing tool as a remedy. Cybernews reported such a suggestion from Reddit users, but it is not an endorsed or verified solution and could complicate efforts to resolve the restriction through support.
- Do not create or use another account on the machine as a test. Riot explicitly warns that using another account on a suspected banned computer can lead to restrictions on that account.
- Do not rely on reinstalling the game or deleting an account. Riot says neither action removes an HWID ban.
What remains unknown
The published sources do not establish how often second-hand hardware buyers encounter inherited HWID restrictions, the likelihood of a successful appeal, or the duration of the ban in this case. Cybernews mentioned a claim circulating on Reddit about 120-day first-time bans but said it could not verify it, so that figure should not be treated as established policy or as the reported player’s ban duration.
For a buyer facing this problem, the evidence-backed next step is Riot’s support re-evaluation process. The reported incident alone cannot show whether a particular component was responsible, whether hardware replacement would help, or whether Riot will lift a specific restriction.
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