How do I ban players who keep changing accounts or IPs?
Persistent troublemakers who keep coming back under new accounts or IPs are one of the more stubborn moderation challenges. The fix is to combine your game's built-in tools with a bit of extra coverage for repeat offenders.
The approach
Start with the standard moderation commands, then layer on protection that can catch someone who's hopping between accounts.
Step-by-step
- Ban the account. In Minecraft, use
/ban <name>, and ban by IP with/ban-ip <address>. - Add extra coverage for repeat offenders. For players who keep switching accounts, install a moderation/anti-VPN plugin that can match on IP ranges or device signals.
Warning: IP bans can catch shared connections — for example players on the same household or campus network — so use them carefully.
Frequently asked questions
Why isn't a plain account ban enough? A determined player can simply make or use another account. Matching on IP ranges or device signals gives you a better chance of stopping repeat offenders.
Which anti-VPN plugin should I use? The best choice depends on your software and version. If you'd like a recommendation for your setup, open a ticket and we'll suggest options.