Used PC Parts Can Get You Banned From Games

Players purchasing used PC hardware, particularly for gaming, face an unusual risk: being banned from their favorite online multiplayer games. This issue arises when a previously used component, such as a graphics card or CPU, was owned by a cheater and flagged by the game's anti-cheat software. Even if the new owner uses a legitimate account and does not cheat, installing the flagged hardware can result in an instant ban.

A recent account detailed a German Valorant player's experience. After acquiring a used Ryzen 7 5800X3D CPU, they were immediately banned upon logging in. Support from Riot Games reportedly offered no recourse, with other components like the motherboard and storage also being blacklisted by the Vanguard anti-cheat system.

Modern anti-cheat systems employ deep system hooks, sometimes requiring features like Secure Boot and a Trusted Platform Module, to identify and track hardware components. While the exact methods are proprietary, this allows for unique hardware fingerprinting. Recovering from such a ban is reportedly difficult, as companies like Riot Games have been unwilling to lift bans issued through hardware identification.

This problem, though exceedingly rare, appears to be more prevalent recently due to the booming secondhand PC hardware market. Gamers facing sticker shock for new components are turning to used parts, increasing the chances of unknowingly purchasing flagged hardware. Sellers rarely disclose if a part has been flagged, leaving buyers vulnerable to bans without prior warning.