Why is My Facebook Account Restricted? + How To Fix It in 2025

The first time I saw my Facebook account restricted, I had no idea what triggered it. Ads stopped overnight, and the platform gave me little to understand what had gone wrong. 

Then, I learned that even when restrictions lift in a few days, your account can stay flagged as less reliable, which makes future reviews slower and rejections more common.

This guide explains why restrictions happen, how long they last, the steps I used to recover, and what I do now to avoid repeat issues.

What does it mean when a Facebook account is restricted?

A restricted account means Facebook limits what you can do while still letting you log in. You might lose access to ads, groups, or Business Manager, but your profile remains visible. It’s different from a disabled account, which locks you out completely.

When Facebook says “we added a restriction to your account,” it usually means they flagged activity that broke policy or looked suspicious. 

For me, it meant my ads stopped delivering overnight, even though I could still log in. That’s the frustrating part. You can still see your account, but the features you need most are blocked.

Why is my Facebook account restricted?

When it happened to me, my Facebook account was restricted because the platform flagged routine activity as unusual. I was logged in through a VPN while researching ads, and that was enough to trigger a review. 

But the most common reasons for Facebook restrictions include:

• Policy violations: Ads that go against Facebook’s rules, like exaggerated claims, misleading images, or restricted products.
  
  
• Unusual activity: Logging in from a new location, spending spikes, or bulk edits that look suspicious to the system.
  
  
• Unverified identity: Facebook sometimes restricts accounts when identity details aren’t verified or activity looks suspicious.
  
  
• Repeated ad rejections: Multiple disapproved ads in a short window can escalate into a full restriction.
  
  
• Billing problems: Failed payments or expired cards can block ad delivery until updated.

Note: Facebook account restrictions can also trigger when changes happen too quickly. I once bulk-edited multiple campaigns in a single afternoon, and even though nothing broke policy, the system froze my ads.

What restrictions mean for your business

Restrictions disrupt both day-to-day operations and future performance. I’ve seen the damage play out in different ways.

In the short term, ads stop delivering, campaigns lose momentum, and critical engagement opportunities slip by. Even a short delay can throw off reporting and stall growth during key sales periods.

In the long term, repeated restrictions make your account look less reliable. Reviews take longer, delivery weakens, and disapprovals pile up faster. I’ve also seen how this creates frustration for clients or team members who expect campaigns to run smoothly.

How to handle communication during Facebook account restrictions

When a restriction hits, silence creates more problems than the restriction itself. I make it a priority to explain what probably caused the trigger to my team or clients, share how long the review is likely to last, and outline the steps I’m taking to resolve it.

I set expectations about what comes next. If the appeal fails, I tell them we may need to submit ID, adjust creatives, or rebuild campaigns from a clean account. This way, no one feels blindsided.

I also plan short-term alternatives. I give regular updates so clients and teammates stay informed and confident while ads are paused. I also move part of the budget to another platform or boost safe content to keep the momentum going.

How to check if your Facebook account is restricted

If your Facebook account or ad performance suddenly drops, it’s worth checking for restrictions. Meta sends in-app alerts or emails for big issues, but smaller problems can slip through without a clear warning. Here’s where I look:

• Use the Account Quality tool: Go to Facebook’s Account Quality page to see if your profile, ad account, or Business Manager has any flags.
  
  
• Check Business Settings: In Business Manager, click on Account Status under settings. This shows whether your ad accounts or pages have restrictions.
  
  
• Review email alerts and notifications: Facebook often sends alerts about disapproved ads, policy issues, or account reviews by email or inside your dashboard.

Here’s a tip: A few red flags signal trouble even if Facebook hasn’t labeled it clearly. Ads may pause on their own, campaigns can get disapproved without obvious reasons, and warnings often appear inside Business Manager about account quality. From my experience, these signs usually mean some kind of restriction is already in place.

How long does a restriction last?

A restriction usually lasts from a few hours to several days, depending on the reason and how quickly you appeal. Some clear automatically after review, while others stay in place until you provide documents or win an appeal. 

For repeated or severe violations, restrictions may become permanent, unless Facebook’s review team overturns the decision. Policies also shift year to year, and in 2025, the rules you face today might not be the same tomorrow.

The timing depends on a few things. Minor policy flags often resolve quickly, but repeated rejections or billing issues can take longer. How fast you respond to Facebook’s requests also makes a difference. Your account history matters too, since older accounts with fewer violations tend to get cleared faster.

From my experience, the timing isn’t consistent. One restriction on my account was lifted in less than 24 hours, but another dragged on for more than a week because I didn’t notice the appeal option right away. The longer the delay in responding, the more time you’re stuck waiting.

How do you fix a restricted Facebook account?

To fix a restricted Facebook account, you need to identify the reason for the restriction and take the steps Facebook provides. That may mean filing an appeal, verifying your identity, or updating billing details. 

Here are the steps you can take:

1. Check Account Quality: Start at the Account Quality dashboard. It shows the reason for the restriction and whether you can appeal.
   
   
2. Submit an appeal: If you see the option, include clear evidence. For example, upload screenshots of your landing page to prove compliance. Many restrictions clear faster when you provide proof.
   
   
3. Verify identity: If Facebook requests ID, upload a high-resolution scan of your driver’s license or passport. Low-quality images often get rejected and slow things down.
   
   
4. Fix billing issues: If a card fails or a balance is overdue, update your payment details immediately. Billing-related restrictions won’t lift until payments are settled.
   
   
5. Wait for review: Sometimes there’s no appeal button, and the only option is to wait. Sending multiple appeals can backfire, so one clear response works better.

Before you hit submit, it helps to know what Meta expects in a review request. Here are a few dos and don'ts to follow when appealing:

• Do keep your message clear and professional
  
  
• Do explain what happened and what you fixed (if anything)
  
  
• Don’t send multiple appeals; it can slow down the process
  
  
• Don’t use aggressive language or spam the support inbox

If you're stuck, you can also try Meta’s official contact channels:

• Facebook Business Help Center
  
  
• Meta’s Support Inbox

How to avoid Facebook account restrictions

You can’t stop every restriction, but you can lower the risk by building safe habits into your ad management. Here’s what works for me:

• Make gradual changes: Spread edits across campaigns instead of making big bulk changes all at once. This small adjustment is now part of my ad strategy because it keeps the account looking stable.
  
  
• Use policy-safe creatives: Avoid clickbait, exaggerated claims, and restricted products that Facebook flags often.
  
  
• Warm up new accounts: Start with small budgets before scaling spend. Sudden jumps in activity trigger reviews.
  
  
• Keep billing details current: Update payment methods before cards expire or balances fail.
  
  
• Respond quickly to alerts: Deal with warnings in Account Quality right away instead of letting issues pile up.

Why past violations keep causing new restrictions

One problem I ran into is that Facebook doesn’t always forget. Even after a restriction lifts, ads that look too similar to past flagged content can trigger a fresh review.

Reusing old ad copy or images is risky, even if the creative meets policy. Facebook’s system compares new uploads with past content, and echoes of flagged material often get caught. I once repurposed a headline from a previously disapproved ad, and the account got flagged again even though the claim was toned down.

Rotating creatives not only helps avoid these ghost flags but also fights creative fatigue. When ads run too long or look too familiar, performance drops, and Facebook’s system pays closer attention. Changing headlines, visuals, or hooks keeps both delivery and compliance on safer ground.

How to rebuild your account after a restriction

Recovering from a restriction isn’t only about getting access back. You also need to rebuild trust with Facebook so future ads don’t get flagged right away. Here’s the process you can follow:

1. Pause aggressive edits: Stop making big bulk changes and let the account settle. This prevents the system from flagging more suspicious activity.
   
   
2. Run low-risk ads: Publish simple, policy-safe creatives first. For example, boost a plain image post for 24 hours to show normal activity before testing new campaigns.
   
   
3. Add verified assets: Connect a verified domain, enable two-factor authentication, and use a business email. These steps show Facebook that your account is legitimate.
   
   
4. Scale slowly: Raise budgets by small amounts each day instead of jumping to high spend levels. This pacing makes the account look stable.
   
   
5. Keep a restriction log: Track what triggered restrictions in the past and how long each one lasted. That record helps you avoid repeating the same mistakes.

This steady rebuild keeps campaigns running longer without problems. It takes patience, but your account performs better once Facebook sees consistent, safe activity.

How Bestever can help you optimize your creatives

We’ve covered why your Facebook account might be restricted, how to fix it, and what steps to take if it happens again. But if your ads keep getting flagged or your performance takes a dive, the problem might not be your account; it might be your creative.

Bestever is a creative analysis and ad intelligence platform. It helps you improve your ads using real post-launch data, so you can avoid the quality issues that lead to restrictions in the first place.

Here’s how: 

• Analyze your ads' effectiveness: Bestever’s Ad Analysis Dashboard gives you instant feedback on each ad’s visual impact, brand fit, adherence to ad sizes, and engagement potential. It’ll even break down each element in detail.
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• Get suggestions to improve every frame: If an ad isn’t hitting the mark, ask Bestever to tell you what’s wrong and get instant, actionable suggestions on what to do to fix it. No more guessing or wasting time, your team can start fixing those issues asap.
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• Understand your audience: Bestever analyzes your website, ad account, and creative history to identify the people most likely to engage. It also helps you shape messaging that aligns with Facebook advertising rules and resonates with the right segments.
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• Rapid asset generation: Fetch AI-generated images, stock photos, and video clips that all fit your brand voice. Then you can share the creatives with your team to create multiple ad variations more quickly.
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• Instant feedback loop: Know immediately why an ad variant underperforms, then pivot before wasting your budget.

Ready to optimize your ads using performance data? Let our team show you how Bestever can help you fix creative issues before they get your Facebook account restricted.

Try a demo of Bestever for free.

Frequently asked questions

Can I create a new account if my Facebook ad account is restricted?

Some people try creating a new account after getting restricted, but this goes against Facebook’s policies. Setting up new ad accounts or Business Managers to get around restrictions can trigger permanent bans, especially if there are shared billing details, IP addresses, or connected assets. 

Instead, focus on resolving the issue with your existing account or reaching out to Facebook’s support team through official channels.

What’s the fastest way to get a Facebook account unrestricted?

The fastest way to get an unrestricted Facebook account is to resolve the issue and request a review immediately. Use the Account Quality tool to find the problem, fix it (such as removing flagged ads or updating payment info), then submit a clear appeal with any needed documents.

Can I appeal a Facebook ad restriction more than once?

Yes, you can appeal more than once, but you should only do it if something has changed. If your first appeal fails, fix the issue, gather new information (like proof of identity or payment), then submit again with a clear explanation.

Why does Facebook restrict ad accounts so often?

Facebook restricts ad accounts when its automated systems detect activity that could impact user safety or platform integrity. Most minor issues, like an incorrect ad size, only cause the specific ad to be disapproved. 

Account-level restrictions usually happen after more significant or repeated violations, or when the system flags suspicious activity tied to the account’s integrity or security. Sudden changes in targeting, repeated disapprovals, or the use of automation tools are common triggers.

How do I avoid getting flagged by Facebook’s automated systems?

To avoid getting flagged, keep your account behavior consistent. Avoid logging in from multiple IP addresses, rotate your creatives to prevent fatigue, and make sure your ads follow Facebook’s rules. Running regular ad audits helps catch potential violations early and reduces the chance of getting blocked.

Is it better to verify my business before running ads?

No, because business verification isn’t required for most advertisers. Facebook usually only asks for it if you plan to run ads about social issues, elections, or politics, or if you need access to advanced features. If you’re prompted during setup, it’s best to complete verification right away. 

Verified businesses may face fewer disruptions and gain added credibility, but for many standard ad accounts, verification happens later or only when needed.

Can your Facebook account get restricted with no violations?

Yes, your Facebook account can get restricted with no violations if the system flags unusual activity. Sudden spending spikes, bulk edits, or repeated logins from new locations can trigger a review. When this happens, check the Account Quality dashboard and file an appeal.

Do ad automation tools cause restrictions?

Ad automation tools don’t cause restrictions if they are Facebook-approved. Problems usually happen when unapproved software or scripts mimic suspicious activity, like bulk edits or rapid changes. To stay safe, use tools listed in the official Meta Business Partner Directory, since these are recognized by Facebook and built to work within its policies.