Getting banned on a server because client is “connecting all over the globe”

[LarenzoSvarmel]

The title may not look like what it seems.

I spoke with an administrator for TopFrag.com and I got banned from the server, asked for an update and they gave me an unrelated reasoning as to my client connecting “all over the globe”. I don’t use VPNs, and would like an explanation as to what this is about?

For reference I live in the United States, Florida. My IP directly shows in their server logs, but somehow my client is connecting to different places across the globe.

I apologize if this isn’t the place to ask, but I did not know where the appropriate place to ask could be.

[Polarhigh]

I saw your issue at CS-NextClient/NextClientServerApi#22. This repo is only for the Steam version of the client. Non-Steam builds are made by different people/groups.

That said, there might be an idea what’s going on. I remember hearing there was a bug in a emulator related to Steam ID generation, a lot of players ended up with the same ID.

Which client version are you using? You can check by typing next_client in the console

[LarenzoSvarmel]

Hi, thank you for your reply.

It is Build 2.3.5

Launcher 1.2.5 (Nov 26 2024)

The administrator for the server I am on forums with genuinely believes I used a VPN, which I have not. I came here.

[LarenzoSvarmel]

Also the ‘next_client’ command did not do anything, ‘next_version’ did so above is data from that command

[LarenzoSvarmel]

The staff member also said “ Your ID is unique. As are the multiple other IDs that share your exact IP.”

[Polarhigh]

Ah, right, next_version)

I’ll take a closer look at the situation later this evening and get back to you. In the meantime, try downloading the latest client version just in case from https://cs16nextclient.com or https://downloads.csrevo.com/jogos/Counter-Strike-Full.zip. Make sure it’s version 2.3.6 or newer

[LarenzoSvarmel]

Thank you. I have no idea what’s happening at all.

I don’t use VPNs and have no idea what else I can do to prove myself to a server I’m wrongfully banned in.

[Polarhigh]

"all over the globe"
"My IP shows up directly in their server logs, but somehow my client appears to be connecting from different places around the globe."

It can be assumed that the issue described earlier is still the likely cause. If their logs show that a single Steam ID is associated with different IP addresses, this may also indicate that multiple users from different countries are sharing the same Steam ID. This is a known bug in the emulator of non-steam NextClient v2.3.5 and below.
This issue was discussed here (in Russian): https://hlds.run/threads/11/page-2#post-2316

"Your ID is unique. As are the multiple other IDs that share your exact IP."

In this case, the situation is likely different. It is probable that the connection is behind the ISP’s NAT. Many users may share the same public IP address, while each of them still has a unique Steam ID.

The combination of these two factors could have created the impression that a VPN is being used.

To avoid the Steam ID issue, try installing a newer version of the client as suggested earlier, or switch to a different client, for example: https://goldclient.ru/en/

If possible, show this discussion to the server admins so they can take it into account.

[LarenzoSvarmel]

Hello, thank you for providing your reference (hlds) as it helps very much. It is unfortunate that a bug like this exists because I haven’t done anything wrong and being accused so very confidently of what you did not do comes at you in no less form of a bullet.

I’ve taken this up with the TopFrag staff member and they’ll consider taking this up further to more knowledgeable people.

If there is any further information, I’d be glad to share, let me know.

Thank you for your time and I appreciate you taking the time to look into this matter.

Have a good one.

[lagsnfrags]

It can be assumed that the issue described earlier is still the likely cause. If their logs show that a single Steam ID is associated with different IP addresses, this may also indicate that multiple users from different countries are sharing the same Steam ID. This is a known bug in the emulator of non-steam NextClient v2.3.5 and below. This issue was discussed here (in Russian): https://hlds.run/threads/11/page-2#post-2316

Any idea where I might find the 2.3.5 version for testing purposes?

[Polarhigh]

Yes, for example here, it’s a pretty large distribution site: https://all-cs.ru (https://all-cs.ru/sborki/CS16_Setup.exe)