Quick answer
First, open Account Quality in Meta Business Suite to see what is restricted (an ad, the ad account, your personal profile, the Page or the whole business portfolio) and why. Then fix the cause: correct the policy issue, clear any unpaid balance, secure your login with two-factor authentication or confirm your identity. After that, use the Request review button on that same screen. Reviews often take from a day to a few weeks. Don't create new accounts to get around a restriction; Meta treats that as circumvention, which can lead to permanent bans.
- Use the restriction finder below to see the steps for your message.
First, find out what exactly is restricted
"My Facebook ads account is blocked" can mean very different things. Each has its own fix:
| What's restricted | What you'll see | How serious |
|---|---|---|
| A single ad | "Rejected" in the Delivery column | Low: edit the ad or request a review |
| Payment hold | "Account on hold", "Payment failed" or an outstanding balance | Low to medium: pay the balance or fix the payment method |
| The ad account | "Ad account disabled" or "restricted from advertising" | High: needs a review |
| Your personal profile | "Your ability to advertise is restricted" | High: affects every ad account you use |
| The Facebook Page | "Page restricted from advertising" | Medium to high |
| The business portfolio | "Business account restricted" | High: affects all assets in the portfolio |
| Identity or security check | "Confirm your identity" or "Unusual activity" | Usually fixable quickly by completing the check |
Where to check
- Open Meta Business Suite (business.facebook.com) on a computer.
- Go to Account Quality (in the menu, or search "Account Quality").
- Select the affected asset: your profile, ad account, Page or business portfolio.
- Read the reason and look for the Request review option.
Restriction finder: what does your message say?
Select a message to see the steps.
Why Meta restricts ad accounts: common causes in India
- Payment problems: failed card or UPI payments, cancelled mandates, an unpaid balance, or using someone else's card.
- New account spending fast: a brand-new ad account that suddenly spends a lot can trigger automated checks.
- Security issues: a hacked profile, logins from unusual countries or VPNs, or many people sharing one login.
- Policy violations: misleading claims ("earn ₹50,000 a week from home"), unrealistic health or weight-loss results, before-and-after images in restricted categories, or targeting personal attributes ("Are you in debt?").
- Restricted categories without authorisation: financial services, crypto, gambling and some health products have extra rules and may need prior approval.
- Landing page problems: a website that doesn't match the ad, has broken links, asks for sensitive data without clear purpose, or looks low quality.
- Many rejected ads in a short time: repeated rejections reduce trust in the account.
- Using celebrities or news-style ads without permission, which Meta treats as misleading.
- Links to previously restricted assets: admins, Pages or payment methods connected to other restricted accounts.
How to request a review the right way
- Fix the cause first. Edit or delete the violating ads, update the landing page and clear any balance. A review requested before fixing anything usually fails.
- Secure the accounts. Turn on two-factor authentication for every admin and remove anyone who shouldn't have access.
- Open Account Quality and select the restricted asset.
- Click Request review and follow the steps. Meta may ask you to confirm your identity with an ID document or a video selfie.
- Write a short, factual explanation if asked: what your business does, what you changed and that you've read the policies. Be polite and specific.
- Request only once and wait. Multiple requests don't speed things up.
- Check your email and notifications for the decision.
Many reviews are decided within a day or two, but some take a few weeks. If a review is rejected, Meta may treat the decision as final for that asset.
Checklist before you click "Request review"
- Every rejected or violating ad is edited or deleted.
- Your landing page matches the ad, works on mobile and shows business contact details and a privacy policy.
- Any outstanding balance is paid and the payment method works.
- Two-factor authentication is on for all admins, and unknown admins are removed.
- Your profile name matches your ID, in case Meta asks you to confirm your identity.
- You've written down, in two or three sentences, what your business does and what you changed.
Keep a backup admin and a clean setup
Many businesses lose access to ads because only one person's profile controls everything. Protect yourself:
- Add at least two trusted admins (for example, owner and a manager) to your business portfolio, both with two-factor authentication.
- Keep the ad account, Page, Instagram account and pixel owned by your business portfolio, not by an employee's or agency's portfolio.
- Give agencies partner access only to what they need, and remove access when the work ends.
- Complete business verification when Meta offers it. It adds trust and can unlock features.
Fixing payment holds and failed payments
- Go to Billing & payments in Meta Business Suite and check for an outstanding balance.
- Pay the balance with a working method. Indian businesses commonly use cards (with e-mandates enabled for recurring payments), UPI or net banking, depending on what Meta shows for your account.
- Make sure your bank allows international or recurring online payments on the card, as failed mandates are a common cause.
- Use a payment method in the business's name where possible, and avoid adding cards belonging to others.
- Consider prepaid funds (adding money in advance) if your account supports it, to avoid failed automatic charges.
- Add your GSTIN in the business details so invoices are correct.
If your account was hacked
- Try to secure your Facebook profile at facebook.com/hacked and change your password.
- Turn on two-factor authentication using an authenticator app.
- In Business Settings, remove unknown people and partners from your business portfolio and ad accounts.
- Check Billing for unknown charges and contact your bank about any fraudulent transactions.
- Request a review in Account Quality and explain that the account was compromised.
Need help with a restricted account?
We'll look at your Account Quality screen, explain the issue and help you fix the cause before you request a review.
What not to do
- Don't open new ad accounts or profiles to get around a restriction. Meta treats this as circumvention, and it can lead to permanent bans of every connected account, Page and payment method.
- Don't buy "aged" accounts or rent ad accounts from strangers. They break Meta's terms and are often linked to restricted assets.
- Don't pay "unban" services that promise guaranteed reinstatement. No one outside Meta can guarantee a review decision, and some of these are scams that ask for your login.
- Don't share your Facebook password with anyone, including agencies. Use partner access in Business Settings instead.
- Don't keep resubmitting the same rejected ad. Change it properly first.
When only an ad is rejected
A single rejected ad isn't an account ban, but many rejections can lead to one. Common reasons and fixes:
| Rejection reason | Usual fix |
|---|---|
| Personal attributes | Change "Are you struggling with debt?" to "Debt consolidation help for families." |
| Unrealistic claims | Remove guaranteed results and specific income or weight-loss promises. |
| Before and after images | Use a single product or service image, or a testimonial without comparison. |
| Landing page mismatch | Make the page match the offer, price and claims in the ad. |
| Restricted category | Select the correct special ad category or get the required authorisation. |
| Sensational or clickbait text | Replace "Shocking!" or "You won't believe…" with a clear benefit. |
If you believe the rejection is a mistake, use Request review on the ad in Ads Manager or Account Quality.
How to prevent ad account restrictions
- Keep assets in your own business portfolio and give agencies partner access, never your login.
- Turn on two-factor authentication for every admin.
- Verify your business in Business Settings (Security Centre) when available.
- Verify your domain and keep your website professional, with contact details, privacy policy and clear pricing.
- Start new accounts gradually: increase spend step by step rather than jumping to a large daily budget.
- Read Meta's Advertising Standards before running ads in finance, health, education, real estate or jobs.
- Avoid misleading claims and keep testimonials genuine.
- Keep a reliable payment method and pay balances on time.
- Check Account Quality monthly and fix warnings early.
- Limit admins to people who really need access, and remove ex-employees.
Industries that need extra care in India
| Industry | What to watch |
|---|---|
| Loans, credit cards, insurance | Financial products and services rules; may need the special ad category; no misleading interest or approval claims |
| Investments, trading, crypto | Strict rules and authorisation requirements; avoid income promises |
| Health, clinics, supplements | No miracle cures, no negative body image, careful with before-and-after |
| Real estate | Housing may need the special ad category, which limits targeting |
| Jobs and work-from-home | Employment rules; no unrealistic earning claims |
| Education and coaching | No guaranteed ranks, jobs or results |
How iBACT Digital can help
We're a Meta Business Partner. We can't guarantee a review decision (no one outside Meta can), but we can help you do it properly and run compliant campaigns afterwards.
- Review your Account Quality screen and explain the issue in plain language.
- Fix policy problems in your ads and landing pages before you request a review.
- Set up a clean, secure business portfolio with partner access and two-factor authentication.
- Run policy-safe campaigns through our Meta Ads management, from ₹7,999 a month + GST.
Related reading: Why your Facebook ads are not working and how to choose a Meta Ads agency safely.
Frequently asked questions
Why was my Facebook ad account disabled?
Common reasons are policy violations in ads or landing pages, payment problems, suspicious login activity, a new account spending quickly, or links to other restricted accounts. Account Quality in Meta Business Suite shows the reason for your account.
How do I get my Facebook ad account back?
Fix the cause first, secure your accounts with two-factor authentication, then open Account Quality and use Request review. Meta may ask you to confirm your identity.
How long does a Meta ad account review take?
Many reviews are decided within a day or two, but some take a few weeks. Requesting multiple reviews doesn't make it faster.
What if my review is rejected?
Meta may treat the decision as final for that asset. Don't create new accounts to get around it, as that can lead to permanent bans. Focus on keeping your other assets compliant.
Can I create a new ad account if mine is disabled?
Creating new accounts to get around a restriction is against Meta's policies and can lead to bans of all connected accounts, Pages and payment methods. Use the official review process instead.
Why is my ad account on hold for payment?
Usually a payment failed or there's an outstanding balance. Pay the balance in Billing and payments and make sure your card allows recurring online payments.
What does "your ability to advertise is restricted" mean?
It means your personal Facebook profile can't run or manage ads. This affects every ad account you use. Check Account Quality for the reason and request a review.
Can an agency get my account unbanned?
No agency can guarantee a decision; only Meta decides. A good agency can help you understand the issue, fix the cause and submit a proper review request.
How do I avoid getting my ad account restricted?
Follow Meta's Advertising Standards, avoid misleading claims, use two-factor authentication, keep payments up to date, increase spend gradually on new accounts and give agencies partner access instead of your login.
Why do my ads keep getting rejected?
Usually because of personal attributes in the text, unrealistic claims, before-and-after images, sensational language or a landing page that doesn't match the ad. Fix the ad before resubmitting.
Does Meta Verified help with ad account problems?
Meta Verified for business may give access to extra support in some regions, but it doesn't guarantee that a restriction will be lifted. Check what's currently offered in India.
Is a hacked ad account recoverable?
Often yes. Secure your profile at facebook.com/hacked, turn on two-factor authentication, remove unknown admins, check billing and request a review explaining the account was compromised.
Get help with your ad account
Share a few details. Our Meta Ads team will explain the restriction, suggest fixes and help you run policy-safe campaigns.
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- Honest advice, no false promises
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