If you’re experiencing issues accessing your website and have already tried basic troubleshooting like flushing your DNS, the next step is to check if your IP address is being blocked by a firewall or if there are regional restrictions preventing access. This can happen due to various security settings within your hosting control panel, like cPanel’s IP Blocker, firewall rules, or geolocation restrictions set by your hosting provider.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common reasons your IP might be blocked, how to check if your IP is blocked in cPanel, and steps to unblock it.
Common Reasons Your IP is Blocked From Your Website
Before troubleshooting, it’s important to understand why your IP might be blocked from accessing your own website:
- Too Many Failed Login Attempts – If you repeatedly enter the wrong login details for your website, cPanel, or FTP, your hosting provider might block your IP as a security measure.
- Firewall Rules Blocking Your IP – Some web hosts automatically block IPs that trigger firewall security alerts, such as multiple login attempts or unusual traffic patterns.
- Regional Restrictions (Geo-Blocking) – If you’ve set up country-based access restrictions, certain regions or IP ranges might be blocked from viewing your site.
- Your IP is on a Blacklist – Some hosting services use security tools that block suspicious or blacklisted IP addresses to protect websites from potential threats.
- Hosting Provider’s Security Settings – Some security systems like GoDaddy’s Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Cloudflare may block specific users based on automated security rules.
- Your IP Address Has Changed – If your ISP (Internet Service Provider) changes your IP address, it might get blocked if the new IP falls within a restricted range.
How to Check If Your IP is Blocked in cPanel (GoDaddy & Other Hosts)
If you suspect that your IP address is blocked, you can verify it by following these steps in cPanel (GoDaddy, Bluehost, HostGator, etc.):
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
- Go to GoDaddy’s website and sign in to your account.
- Navigate to My Products and find your hosting plan.
- Click Manage to open cPanel.
Step 2: Check the IP Blocker in cPanel
- In cPanel, locate the “Security” section.
- Click on “IP Blocker” (or “IP Deny Manager” in some hosting accounts).
- Look for any blocked IP addresses that might be preventing access.
- If your IP is listed, click Remove to unblock it.
How to Unblock Your IP Address in cPanel
If you find your IP address blocked, follow these steps to unblock it:
Method 1: Unblock It Using cPanel’s IP Blocker
- Go to IP Blocker in cPanel.
- Find your blocked IP address in the list.
- Click Delete or Remove next to the blocked IP.
- Clear your browser cache and try accessing your website again.
Method 2: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If you cannot access cPanel because your IP is blocked, follow these steps:
- Use a different device or a VPN to access your cPanel.
- Contact GoDaddy Support (or your hosting provider) and request IP unblocking.
- Provide your public IP address (you can find it by searching “What is my IP?” on Google).
Method 3: Whitelist Your IP Address in Firewall
- Log in to cPanel and find “Firewall Settings” under Security.
- Look for any blocked IP ranges and whitelist your IP.
- Save changes and restart your website.
How to Check If Your IP is Blacklisted
If your IP is still blocked even after unblocking it in cPanel, it may be blacklisted. Here’s how to check:
- Visit WhatIsMyIP to find your public IP.
- Check blacklist databases like MXToolbox or Spamhaus.
- If your IP is blacklisted, request delisting through the blacklist provider.
How to Fix Regional Restrictions (Geo-Blocking) on Your Website
If your website has country-based restrictions, follow these steps:
- Check cPanel’s GeoBlocking Settings – Some security plugins and firewalls block specific countries or regions.
- Disable Country Blocking in Your Firewall – If you have Cloudflare or GoDaddy’s Web Application Firewall (WAF), review the settings and remove country restrictions.
- Use a VPN – If your country is blocked, try accessing your website using a VPN from a different location.
How to Prevent Future IP Blocking Issues
To avoid getting locked out of your website again, follow these best practices:
✅ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – This prevents too many failed login attempts from triggering a security block.
✅ Whitelist Your IP in cPanel – If you frequently access your website from the same location, add your IP to a whitelist to avoid accidental blocking.
✅ Monitor Your Firewall Settings – Regularly review your firewall rules to ensure they don’t block legitimate traffic.
✅ Use a Static IP Address – If possible, request a static IP from your ISP to avoid changing IPs that might get blocked.
✅ Keep Your Website Secure – Use strong passwords, security plugins, and regular backups to prevent security issues.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing website access issues due to IP blocking or firewall restrictions, it’s crucial to check your cPanel settings, unblock your IP, and adjust security rules accordingly.
Key Takeaways:
✔️ Your IP can be blocked due to failed login attempts, firewall rules, or geolocation restrictions.
✔️ You can check for blocked IPs using cPanel’s IP Blocker.
✔️ If your IP is blocked, remove it from the block list or contact your hosting provider.
✔️ If your IP is blacklisted, use tools like MXToolbox to check and request delisting.
✔️ Prevent future issues by whitelisting your IP, enabling 2FA, and securing your hosting account.
If you need further assistance, contact your hosting provider’s support team or consider using a VPN to access your site temporarily, or contact your website fixer now.
