> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vampauth.gitbook.io/vampauth-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vampauth.gitbook.io/vampauth-docs/features/hardware-binding.md).

# Hardware binding and bans

With binding on, a key has one canonical device. The first successful keyed admission binds an unbound key. A different device is rejected until the binding is reset.

## Reset a binding

Reset when a user changes devices or loses their local identity. A reset clears the binding and invalidates affected leases. It doesn't renew the key, restart its timer, erase history/usage, or remove bans.

User Discord resets follow the project's allowance. Owner resets preserve that quota. A v2 reset needs a bound, non-banned, non-revoked key; otherwise it returns `KEY_STATE_CONFLICT`.

## FFA and binding disabled

FFA keys and projects with binding off skip the binding rule. Neither bypasses a hardware ban.

## Ban a key or a device?

* **Ban key:** blocks that key.
* **Ban HWID:** blocks that device across keys in the project.
* **Ban both:** does both.

Unbanning a device doesn't unban its key, or vice versa.

## Fingerprints

Additional fingerprint observations help compare runs and resets. They are advisory client-supplied signals, not identity proof. The enforced HWID and the fingerprint have different jobs; fingerprint metadata isn't a hardware-ban target in the bot.


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