Why Is My Facebook Account Restricted?

Facebook is one of the leading social media networks worldwide and is one of the top tech magnates.

Despite active concerns about privacy and data protection, Facebook is still used by nearly 2 billion people every day around the globe, for dating, VR and building social connections. Aside from 1.924 billion DAU (daily active users), Facebook counts 2.19 billion active accounts.

According to the latest data, out of the total number of active accounts on Facebook, 66% of users log in every day and are active on the social network.

A portion of those users may sometimes encounter account issues. Having your account restricted is one the common problems.

If you are wondering why is your Facebook account restricted, we are going through possible reasons why you might be banned along with detailed solutions and fixes.

Why Is My Facebook Account Restricted?

Your Facebook account may be restricted if you have violated Facebook’s policy in general.

The most common reasons to have your account restricted are posting abusive content and violating Facebook community standards.

However, Facebook will restrict your account only if you have repeated violations. You will first receive a warning before your account is restricted.

In case you made only one strike, you will get a warning from Facebook and no restriction will apply. If you repeat your strike, your account will be restricted for 24 hours.

Here is how restriction works concerning the number of strikes you make in violation of Facebook’s policy and community standards.

Facebook Policy ViolationRestriction Period
First strikeFacebook sends a warning message
2 strikes24 hours
3 strikes3 days
4 strikes7 days
5 or more strikes30 days

What Happens When Facebook Restricts My Account?

If you post abusive content, send spam messages, spam friend requests, or violate Facebook community standards, your account may lose many of its functionalities.

When your Facebook account is restricted, you may not be able to:

  • See certain posts on Facebook
  • Post on Facebook
  • React to posts
  • Share posts
  • Send messages
  • Send friend requests

The reason why your account is restricted by Facebook will be transparent and shared with you initially in the warning you get as a message after your first strike, i.e., Facebook’s policy violation.

Common Reasons Why Your Facebook Account is Restricted

Facebook reserves the right to restrict your account if you are violating community standards and Facebook’s user policy.

Here are the most common reasons why your Facebook account is restricted.

Violation of Facebook’s Policy

Facebook’s policy and community standards are completely transparent, and users agree to these rules and conditions when creating an account.

Facebook’s policy describes how the network works and prescribes repercussions for violating the rules of using the social network. If you violate one of the severe policies, like the one related to dangerous organizations, you may get additional restrictions.   

Violation of Facebook Community Standards

Facebook has clear and transparent community standards, involving guidelines on what is allowed and how to report abuse.

You may get a warning or have your account restricted if you post content that includes:

  • Adult and sexual content
  • Violence and criminal behavior
  • Blood, gore, suicide, homicide
  • Child exploitation and sexual exploitation
  • Hate speech
  • Fraud and deception
  • Misinformation
  • Disrespect for or exploitation of intellectual property
  • Cybersecurity threats

Posting Abusive Content

Posting abusive content is against Facebook community standards.

This is also one of the top reasons why your Facebook account may be restricted.

If you are posting content with graphic images/videos of violence, injuries, suicide, homicide, hate speech, or content that encourages dangerous and criminal behavior, there are additional repercussions.

Your account may get banned by restricting more functionalities or completely banning your Facebook account.   

Sending Spam Messages

If you keep sending repeated spammy messages and no one is replying, your account will be red-flagged and restricted following your activity.

This may also happen if you are spam messaging your friends, not just users who are not on your Facebook friend list.

Sending Spam Friend Requests

If you go on a friend request rampage and start sending requests to a great number of people, the metrics will red-flag your activity as spammy.

It’s okay to make new friends on Facebook, but if you are continuously sending friend requests to a great number of people, you will receive a warning from Facebook.

Consequently, if you continue, your account will get restricted.  

How To Get My Facebook Account Back?

You can either wait out the restriction period or appeal to Facebook. To get your Facebook account back, follow these simple instructions:

  • Go to the Facebook request review page.
  • Log in with the email and credentials that you use for your Facebook account.
  • Provide your full name and make sure that it matches the name on your Facebook account.
  • Provide your ID.
  • Submit information to Facebook.

The team will handle your request and get back to you with an answer to your appeal. It is most likely that you will just need to wait out the restriction period.

If it is your second strike, your account will likely have all its features and functionalities the next day.

What If My Account is Restricted For No Reason?

Facebook may sometimes make a mistake and flag your account for no reason.

If you received a warning from Facebook, or your account is restricted, you can contact support by visiting the Facebook request review page.

You can use the same steps described above to address the issue.

Facebook support will review your request and get back to you. In case your account restriction is a mistake, the restriction will be removed.

The restriction will also be removed from the record and won’t affect your account in the future.

Wrapping Up

Follow up with Facebook terms and policy, as well as with Facebook community standards to avoid having your account restricted.

You will be warned for your first strike, however, your first strike will remain on your record.