The Ultimate Guide to Uncover Shadow-Bans in Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2: Are You a Victim?

Players in Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2's (MW2) Season 5 are once again encountering new anti-cheating measures. Unfortunately, these methods can sometimes have unintended consequences and disrupt legitimate users. The shadow-banning system in MW2 and Warzone 2, in particular, has become a contentious topic in Call of Duty forums as more players find themselves unfairly relegated to servers with cheaters.

While the primary purpose of shadow-banning is to create a secure gaming environment for all CoD players, the escalation of mass and rage reports has resulted in unjustified restrictions. Thankfully, Activision appears to be actively addressing this issue and taking steps to combat false reporting. This guide outlines the methods for players to determine if they have been affected by shadow-bans and provides suggestions on how to resolve them.

What Is a Shadow Ban in Call of Duty?

Signs You’ve Been Shadow Banned

In games like Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2, a shadow-ban serves as a temporary measure to limit certain account activities. This entails imposing restrictions on servers, match-making, and opponents for accounts that are deemed suspicious. These limitations prevent questionable users from engaging with legitimate players. The primary objective of shadow-banning is to isolate these distrustful or reported accounts until they undergo a thorough review process.

There are several indicators of a mid-game shadow-ban in Call of Duty. One such indication is experiencing a sudden disconnection from the server with no discernible cause. Additionally, players may also encounter difficulties in finding a match, and notice a consistently high in-game ping, even when their internet connection is stable. The following signs are characteristic of a shadow-ban:

Matchmaking problems: If players are experiencing difficulties in finding matches or constantly being placed in the same lobbies, they could be facing a shadow-ban.

Ping fluctuations: A sudden, inexplicable inconsistency in ping can also indicate a potential stealth ban in Warzone 2 and MW2.

Server disconnection can serve as an indication of a shadow-ban, wherein players receive a notice and get disconnected from the server during a game.

Due to being under investigation, shadow-banned players frequently find themselves in lobbies with repetitive competitors, as their accounts are scrutinized.

How to Check Possible Bans on a Call of Duty Account

To determine if an account is shadow-banned, players should visit Activision's Ban Appeal website. Upon entering their username and password, the website will notify them if any bans have been detected, enabling them to file an appeal if needed. Generally, players will be considered shadow-banned if they see the status "Under Review" displayed below their account information.

It is important to note that the website will not explicitly mention 'shadow-bans.' Instead, it will inform shadow-banned players that their Activision accounts are under investigation, and an appeal cannot be made until the review process is concluded.

How to Fix a Warzone 2 or Modern Warfare 2 Shadow Ban

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Temporary suspensions in Warzone and MW can take anywhere from 48 hours to two weeks to be resolved. During this period, players are unable to do much as their accounts are being reviewed. However, they do have the option to appeal the decision made by Activision’s Security & Enforcement team. It is important to note that appealing does not guarantee the immediate end of the shadow-ban, but it does increase the chances of a thorough reassessment.

It is worth mentioning that unfair shadow-bans typically resolve themselves within a few hours, and players do not need to take any specific steps to speed up the process. If this occurs, the best course of action is to log out of the game for a period of time and attempt to find a match again after a couple of hours.

To lift undue shadow-bans, some players have been filing BBB complaints against Activision. However, that typically should be the players’ last option.

Shadow Ban vs. Cheater Mitigation

A shadow-ban functions similar to a temporary isolation room, wherein it segregates players that arouse suspicion and places them on a designated server until their Call of Duty (CoD) accounts receive clearance. Mitigations, on the other hand, serve as an anti-cheat system that directly impacts the gameplay of cheaters. One of these Mitigations, known as cloaking, renders legitimate players invisible to cheaters.

Both Mitigations and shadow-bans are temporary measures and can be lifted if the player is proven to be innocent of cheating. However, if the account violates the Call of Duty Security and Enforcement Policy, these measures can also lead to a permanent ban.

Is the Shadow-Ban Loop Fixed in Call of Duty?

In preparation for Season 5 of Warzone 2, Activision has issued a statement to tackle the issue of shadow-ban loops resulting from malicious reporting and unfair mass reports. Under the new policy, individuals who misuse the reporting feature will themselves receive a shadow-ban and potentially incur permanent penalties.

The game's recent attempt at handling reporters has not been successful. Players continue to voice their frustration over unfair bans, particularly stemming from reports fueled by anger. However, the developers have reassured players that the Ricochet Anti-Cheat system will improve in the future, resulting in fewer errors.

Both Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 are currently accessible on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC.