How to Fix a Pokemon GO Soft Ban & Avoid Bans Again

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Have you ever teleported to a new location in Pokemon GO, only to find all the Pokemon fleeing and PokeStops no longer giving out items? You've probably hit a Pokemon GO Soft Ban. Whether you're spoofing or just traveling, these bans can ruin your gameplay.

In this article, we'll explain what a Pokemon GO Soft Ban is, what triggers it in 2026, and most importantly, how to fix and avoid it. Let's go!

What is a Pokemon GO Soft Ban?

Pokemon GO Soft Ban is a temporary restriction from Niantic when the game detects unusual activity, such as using Pokemon GO Fake GPS, changing locations too quickly or logging in from different countries within minutes. It's not a permanent ban, but it can stop you from playing normally for a short time.

What Happens If You Get Soft Banned in Pokemon GO?

If you've been soft banned, here's what you'll experience:

Every Pokemon you encounter will flee, no matter which Poke Ball or berries you use.

Spinning PokeStops won't drop any items.

Can't battle in Gyms, place defenders, or participate in Raids.

The game may seem glitchy, even though it still opens normally.

How Long Does a Pokemon GO Soft Ban Last?

A Pokemon GO soft ban typically lasts between 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on what caused it. Most soft bans end within 2 hours, especially if it's your first time getting one.

Action That Triggers Soft Ban	Estimated Duration
Minor GPS jump (within the same city)	0 - 5 minutes
Jump to another city or state	15 - 30 minutes
Long-distance jump (different country/continent)	1 - 2 hours
Frequent spoofing/teleporting without cooldown	2 - 12 hours
Use of unsafe 3rd-party spoofing apps	1 - 12 hours
Repeated soft bans in a short time	Up to 24 hours or more

Tip

Always follow cooldown rules after changing your location. The farther you travel, the longer you should wait before catching Pokemon or spinning PokeStops. Below is the Cooldown Chart:

Total Distance	Waiting Period	Total Distance	Waiting Period
1 Km	1 Minute	125 Km	33 Minutes
2 Km	1 Minute	150 Km	36 Minutes
4 Km	2 Minutes	180 Km	39 Minutes
10 Km	8 Minutes	200 Km	42 Minutes
15 Km	11 Minutes	300 Km	50 Minutes
25 Km	15 Minutes	500 Km	64 Minutes
30 Km	18 Minutes	600 Km	72 Minutes
40 Km	22 Minutes	700 Km	80 Minutes
45 Km	23 Minutes	800 Km	86 Minutes
60 Km	25 Minutes	1000 Km	100 Minutes
80 Km	27 Minutes	1250 Km	118 Minutes
100 Km	30 Minutes	1266+ Km	120+ Minutes

Which Actions Lead to Pokemon GO Soft Ban?

After reading the first two parts, I believe you have some understanding of Pokemon GO soft bans, so let me continue by explaining which behaviors will trigger soft bans. After using Pokemon GO spoofing tools to change your location, these actions can trigger a soft ban:

Catching Wild Pokemon (if done too soon after teleporting)

Dropping a Poke Ball (even accidentally, including in Raids)

Feeding Berries to Wild Pokemon (or Raid Bosses)

Spinning PokeStops (especially if hitting the "Try Again" spin limit)

Placing Pokemon in Gyms

Feeding Gym Defenders (within visible range)

Encountering Fleeing Pokemon (due to catch limits)

Using Auto Catchers (like Gotcha/Poke Ball Plus)

Trading Pokemon (if location mismatch is detected)

Participating in Remote Raids (if jumping between regions too fast)

Completing Special Research Tasks (if location-locked)

Opening Gifts from Distant Friends (may flag account sharing)

How to Fix a Pokemon GO Soft Ban?

If you think your account has been soft banned in Pokemon GO, don't panic! Here are the 4 best methods to lift a soft ban:

1. Wait It Out: Soft bans typically have a duration of just a few minutes or hours, with a maximum time limit of 2 hours. In such cases, the best course of action is to simply wait for the ban to be lifted.

2. Spin a PokeStop 30 - 40 Times: Many players have reported success with this trick. You can follow these three steps:

3. Use a New IP Address: If your IP is flagged, switching to a new, clean IP via a Pokemon GO VPN can sometimes help lift the ban sooner. This works best if the ban was caused by location errors or too many fast jumps.

4. Contact Niantic Support: If you believe you were wrongfully banned, you can contact Niantic's Help Center. This option is best for legit players who were soft banned while traveling or using public Wi-Fi. Spoofers usually avoid this method because Niantic doesn't support cheating in any form.

How to Check If a Pokemon GO Soft Ban Is Lifted?

There are multiple ways to determine if a soft ban in Pokemon GO has ended or not, and the simplest approach is to spin PokeStops and see if you receive rewards. If you're able to obtain rewards from PokeStops, it indicates that your soft ban is lifted.

How to Avoid Pokemon GO Soft Bans While Spoofing?

LocaChange is a powerful location changer and auto-catcher tool designed for safe Pokemon GO spoofing. It comes with built-in security features that help users avoid soft bans while spoofing. One of its most helpful tools is the Cooldown Timer, which automatically shows how long you need to wait after teleporting before taking any in-game actions.

The cooldown time ranges from 1 to 120 minutes, based on how far you jump between locations. To stay safe, it's best to avoid catching Pokemon, spinning PokeStops, or battling until the timer runs out. You can check the full cooldown time in our Pokemon GO cooldown chart.

In addition to cooldown tracking, LocaChange also provides advanced spoofing features, allowing players to explore and play in any city or country without leaving home.

Key Features of LocaChange

• Cooldown timer feature helps you avoid Pokemon GO soft ban.
• Change location in Pokemon GO in 2 steps, no root nor jailbreak required.
• Fully support customized route, adjustable speed as well as location teleporting.
• Additional features include cheap PokeCoins, Pokemon scanner, PvP finder, and more.
• Support for hatching eggs without walking in Pokemon GO.
• With a Pokemon Go joystick, you can control your movement path, speed, and position just like playing on Switch.
• Working well on the latest iOS and Android systems.

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Use LocaChange to spoof in Pokemon GO without soft ban:

Step 1 Download and install LocaChange on your device.

Step 2 Open LocaChange and choose Game Mode - Pokemon GO Mode. Now you can play freely in Pokemon GO.

Use LocaChange to avoid soft ban on PC:

Step 1 Connet your phone to your PC via USB or WiFi.

Step 2 Open LocaChange and choose Game Mode - Pokemon GO Mode. Now you can spoof safely in Pokemon GO.

FAQs About Pokemon GO Soft Ban

1. Can I still play Pokemon GO while soft banned?

Yes, you can open the game and play it, but you can't catch Pokemon, spin PokeStops, or join raids properly until the soft ban is lifted.

2. Can I get soft banned just for traveling?

Yes, if you log in from a very far location too quickly, the game may think you're spoofing. To avoid this, wait for the cooldown time or use a VPN to match your location more smoothly.

3. Will Niantic ban my account permanently for spoofing?

Yes. If you spoof too often or use unsafe third-party apps, Niantic may issue a strike system:

• 1st strike: Warning message
• 2nd strike: 7-day suspension
• 3rd strike: Permanent account ban

After you receive the 3rd strike, your account will be permanently banned.

Conclusion

Pokemon GO Soft Bans might disrupt your adventure, but with the right tools - like Pokemon GO spoofer LocaChange - you can avoid restrictions and keep the fun going. Say goodbye to frustrating bans and explore the world of Pokemon GO freely!

Ready to enhance your gameplay? Try LocaChange today and catch 'em all without limits!

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Philip Williams

• Pokémon GO
• GPS Spoofing
• AR Gaming

• AR gaming and GPS spoofing specialist with over a decade of software experience. He is a trusted writer on Pokémon GO tips and safe location-changing strategies, helping over 2 million users worldwide. As an Apple enthusiast and expert in location-changing technology, he brings both technical depth and gaming insight to every guide.

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