The penalties differ in who issues them and what they block. A VAC ban blocks secure multiplayer servers and comes from Valve's automated detection. A game ban comes from the game's developer. A trade ban disables inventory transactions.
Each penalty has its own purpose. Knowing them helps you diagnose account problems and check trade partners before you swap items.
Comparison table #
Steam uses four penalty systems to protect players, developers, and the virtual economy:
| Feature | VAC ban | Game ban | Trade ban | Community ban |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Valve Anti-Cheat engine | Individual game studio | Steam Support moderators | Steam Trust & Safety team |
| Detection method | Signature detection in RAM | In-game reports, telemetry, Overwatch | Fraud alerts, hijacked items | Harassment, phishing, ToS breaches |
| Multiplayer access | Blocked on VAC servers | Blocked in that game | Unaffected | Unaffected |
| Inventory trading | Locked for that game | Locked, depending on the game's rules | Locked across all games | Locked across all games |
| Profile visibility | Public red text | Public red text | Public or private notice | Notice in the profile header |
| Duration | Permanent | Usually permanent | Temporary (days) or permanent | Until resolved with Support |
You can see all active infractions with our online lookup tool. See how to check if a Steam account has a VAC ban.
What a VAC ban is #
A VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) ban is an automatic penalty. Valve's software issues it when it detects known cheat signatures or memory injection tools while the player is connected to a secure server.
The scope depends on the game:
- In Source engine titles, a ban in Counter-Strike 2 affects only CS2.
- In legacy GoldSrc games, a VAC ban in Half-Life also restricts Team Fortress Classic and Counter-Strike 1.6.
After a VAC ban, the items of that game cannot be traded, gifted, or sold on the Steam Community Market.
What a game ban is #
The game developer applies a game ban directly. Valve's core anti-cheat engine is not involved. Valve introduced game bans so that third-party developers could handle cheating in their own games.
Developers use two methods:
- Their own anti-cheat software. Rust (Easy Anti-Cheat) and Dead by Daylight issue game bans when their anti-cheat triggers.
- Community review. Valve's Overwatch system in Counter-Strike 2 issues game bans after vetted community investigators review gameplay.
Game bans show on your public profile like VAC bans. To learn whether you can appeal one, read can VAC bans be removed.
What a trade ban is #
Steam Support issues a trade ban when an account breaks the Steam trading policy or commits fraud. It is a financial restriction.
Typical triggers:
- Trade scams or fraudulent gift exchanges.
- Accepting stolen skins from compromised accounts.
- Running automated trading bots that violate the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
A trade ban can be temporary (a 7-day or 30-day probation, for example) or permanent. While it lasts, the user cannot send or receive trade offers, but can still play multiplayer games.
What a community ban is #
Valve applies a community ban to accounts that break the Steam Community Guidelines. While it is active, the account cannot:
- Edit the profile, avatar, or nickname.
- Post on Steam discussion boards.
- Publish Steam Workshop items, screenshots, or guides.
- Add friends or send direct chat messages.
Valve usually applies it after phishing attempts, malicious links, account hijacking, or severe harassment.
Frequently asked questions #
What is the main difference between a VAC ban and a game ban? #
Valve's Anti-Cheat system issues a VAC ban automatically when it detects cheat software. A game developer issues a game ban, using its own tracking or human review systems such as Overwatch.
Does a trade ban stop you from playing multiplayer games? #
No. A trade ban restricts item exchanges, gifting, and Community Market transactions. You can still launch games and join multiplayer servers, unless you also have a VAC or game ban.
Can items be transferred off an account after a ban? #
In games with VAC integration (such as Counter-Strike 2 or Team Fortress 2), all items for that game stay frozen on the banned account. They cannot be traded or sold.
Are game bans visible to other Steam users? #
Yes. Game bans show on your public Steam profile in red text, with the number of bans and the days since the last one.
Checking an account before a trade prevents lockouts. Use the free SteamID Resolver to check any account for VAC, game, or economy restrictions. For trade safety, see checking accounts before trading.
Last updated: October 2026