What to Do When Your Facebook Ad Account Gets Restricted
You log into Ads Manager, and suddenly your ad account is restricted. No explanation. No prior warning. Just a red notice and panic sets in.
If you rely on Facebook advertising to generate leads, sales, or clients, an ad account restriction can be devastating. The good news? It’s fixable in most situations — if you follow the right process.
In this 2026 guide, we’ll cover:
Why Facebook restricts ad accounts
Steps to appeal correctly without making things worse
How to prevent future restrictions
When it’s smarter to call in professional help
Why Facebook Ad Accounts Get Restricted
There are several common reasons your account might be restricted:
Policy Violations
Ads promoting prohibited content (e.g., misleading claims, adult content, illegal products)
Intellectual property violations
Non-compliance with Meta’s ad guidelines
Payment or Billing Issues
Declined payments
Suspicious or unusual spending patterns
Suspicious Activity or Security Concerns
Multiple admins with conflicting locations
Frequent ad disapprovals or high complaint rates
Automated Flags
Meta’s AI occasionally flags accounts incorrectly, even if your ads comply
Pro Tip: Restrictions are usually tied to both the ad account and your Business Portfolio. Make sure your business info is complete and accurate, and enable two-factor authentication.
Step 1: Assess the Level of Restriction
Facebook ad restrictions can happen at several levels:
Ad Account Level: All ads are paused, no new ads can be created
Business Portfolio Level: Multiple ad accounts or assets may be restricted
Campaign-Level Disapprovals: Specific campaigns or ad sets are rejected
Knowing where the restriction occurs helps you take the correct action. For example, if it’s campaign-specific, you can appeal or duplicate the campaign. If it’s account-wide, you need Meta support.
Step 2: Gather Evidence
Before contacting Facebook, collect:
Screenshots of the restriction notice
Recent ad examples that were disapproved
Proof of compliance with policies
Payment/billing confirmations
Having clear documentation increases your chances of a fast, successful appeal.
Step 3: Submit an Appeal Correctly
Go to the Account Quality tab in Business Manager:
https://www.facebook.com/accountqualityLocate the restricted account and click Request Review
Provide detailed explanation of compliance and any corrections made
Avoid vague statements like “I don’t know what happened”
Pro Tip: Never create a new ad account while appealing — this can trigger permanent restrictions.
Step 4: Troubleshoot Common Issues
If your appeal is unsuccessful or slow:
Check Payment Methods: Ensure no declined or expired cards
Review Admin Access: Remove unused admins, ensure all users are verified
Audit Recent Ads: Make sure your creatives comply with Meta’s ad policies
Consider Temporary Workarounds: Run ads through another account under the same Business Portfolio if allowed
Step 5: Prevent Future Restrictions
Use conversion objectives consistently to target the right audience
Enable two-factor authentication for all admins
Avoid repeatedly appealing without fixing issues
Regularly audit your campaigns for compliance
Keep multiple admins in case one account is restricted
Pro Tip: Some businesses preemptively use a “backup ad account” strategy under the same Business Portfolio to avoid full downtime.
Step 6: When to Call in Experts
For high-stakes ad accounts (e.g., SMBs relying on Facebook for leads or e-commerce revenue), professional help can save weeks or months of lost performance.
Cristanta Digital Marketing has helped dozens of clients restore restricted ad accounts, even when Meta’s automated systems failed to respond. We know the correct escalation paths, the documentation Meta trusts, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
You can book a call with us here: https://calendly.com/cristanta/facebook-ad-recovery
Note: DIY recovery is possible, but high-intent businesses often benefit from expert guidance to protect revenue.
Conclusion
A restricted Facebook ad account is stressful, but it’s not the end of the world. With a methodical approach — assessing the restriction, gathering evidence, submitting a correct appeal, and implementing preventative measures — you can regain access and prevent future disruptions.
If your business relies heavily on Facebook advertising, professional support is often the fastest path to recovery and sustained ad performance.
Contact us today and we can help you with your ad restrictions.