If you're running a VPS with BandwagonHost and serving Chinese users, you'll eventually face a common headache: IP blocking. Once an IP gets blocked, mainland China users can't access your server at all. Your configurations and data are still there—you just can't connect.
This happens more often than you'd think. Maybe the IP was used by someone before you who broke some rules. Maybe your own usage triggered firewall alerts. Whatever the reason, when your IP gets blocked, the most direct solution is to get a new one.
Good news: BandwagonHost offers a paid IP replacement service. Today I'll walk you through how to detect if your IP is blocked and how to replace it step by step. The whole process is actually pretty straightforward—just follow along and you'll be fine.
Let's talk about China's network firewall system. This system monitors and filters traffic going in and out of mainland China. If it detects questionable content or unusual traffic patterns from an IP address, that IP gets blacklisted. That's what we call being blocked.
So what causes an IP to get blocked? Based on my observations, here are the main reasons:
IP history issues: The IP you got might have been used by someone else before, and you inherited their block status
Sensitive content distribution: Hosting content that violates regulations—unauthorized videos, articles, and such
Obvious proxy characteristics: Running proxy tools with traffic patterns that are too easy to identify
Port and protocol issues: Using certain sensitive ports or protocols that attract extra scrutiny
IP segment collateral damage: Other servers in your IP range got flagged badly enough that the whole segment got blocked
If you're just running normal sites—personal blogs, business websites, legitimate services—you theoretically won't get blocked. I've been using BandwagonHost VPS for years and never had an IP blocked. The key is following the rules and not hosting anything questionable.
That said, sometimes you just get unlucky and inherit a problematic IP. That's genuinely frustrating. So after buying a VPS, test your IP's accessibility from China first. Catch problems early and save yourself trouble later.
When you can access other websites fine but can't connect to your own VPS, there's a good chance your IP is blocked. The most direct detection method is using tools like ping.pe.
From the test results, you'll see clearly: all mainland China nodes show ping failures, but nodes outside mainland (like Taiwan, Hong Kong in the example) ping normally. When it's China down, everywhere else up, that's the classic blocked IP signature.
If you're still not sure or want a more authoritative result, BandwagonHost actually provides a dedicated IP blacklist detection tool.
Step 1: Get Your VPS Node ID
Log into BandwagonHost's KiwiVM control panel. On the homepage, you'll see your VM ID (Virtual Machine ID) in the URL address bar.
For example, if your control panel address is https://kiwivm.64clouds.com/12345678/main.php, then 12345678 is your VM ID.
Step 2: Access the Detection Page
There are two ways to reach the IP blacklist detection page:
Method 1: Direct link access
Enter this URL format in your browser:
https://kiwivm.64clouds.com/VM-ID/main-exec.php?mode=blacklistcheck
Just replace VM-ID with your actual instance number.
Method 2: Modify the browser URL
If you're already in the KiwiVM control panel (usually ending with main.php), just change main.php to main-exec.php?mode=blacklistcheck in the address bar and hit enter.
Step 3: Run the Test
Once on the detection page, you'll see your VPS's current IP address and a "Test Main IP" button. Click it and the system checks whether your IP is blacklisted. Usually takes just a few seconds.
Step 4: Check Results
After detection completes, the page displays the results. My test showed normal status (green notice). But if you see red text saying "IP BLOCKED", then it's confirmed: your IP is blocked and needs replacement soon.
This official tool is pretty accurate. After all, as a service provider, BandwagonHost understands China's firewall rules deeply. If the official tool shows your IP is blocked, there's no point doubting—move straight to replacement.
👉 Whether you're troubleshooting blocked IPs or setting up new services, choosing a reliable VPS provider makes all the difference in maintaining stable connections.
Once you've confirmed your IP is blocked, you can start the replacement process. The whole operation is actually simple—BandwagonHost provides a dedicated IP replacement page, just follow the steps.
First, visit BandwagonHost's IP replacement service page: https://bandwagonhost.com/ipchange.php
If the main site loads slowly or won't open, you can also use BandwagonHost's mirror sites. Check my compiled list of mirror sites for the latest addresses.
On the page, you'll see several key pieces of information:
Replacement cost: Currently shows $7.39
Current IP information: Your currently assigned IP address
Request IP Change button: This is the execution button
After reviewing the cost and related information, if you're sure you want to replace it, click the "Request IP Change" button. The system will redirect you to the payment page.
BandwagonHost supports two common payment methods:
PayPal: If you have a PayPal account, use it directly
Alipay: Most convenient for Chinese users, supports scan code or account payment
Choose your preferred payment method and complete the $7.39 payment. Exchange rates are calculated in real-time—with Alipay, it automatically converts to RMB.
After successful payment, the system automatically processes your IP replacement request. You don't need to do anything—just wait patiently.
According to official information, IP replacement usually completes within 24 hours. In reality, most cases finish in just a few hours, though peak times might be slower. During this period, your VPS might briefly go offline—that's normal, don't worry.
When replacement completes, you'll receive an email notification with your new IP address. You can also check directly in the KiwiVM control panel, which will show the updated IP.
For those managing multiple services or just getting started with VPS hosting, having a provider that makes IP management this straightforward saves considerable time and stress. 👉 Explore BandwagonHost's straightforward VPS solutions that include flexible IP management options.
If you're not confident doing this yourself or run into payment issues, there's an easier way: contact support directly.
BandwagonHost provides a ticket system. You can submit a ticket in the backend explaining that your IP is blocked, you need to replace it, and you're willing to pay the $7.39 fee. Support will handle the whole process—you just need to complete payment.
Steps to submit a ticket:
Log into your BandwagonHost account backend
Find the "Support" or "Open Ticket" option
Select the relevant VPS service
Briefly describe the issue: "My IP is blocked in China, I need to change IP address"
Submit the ticket and wait for support response
Support usually replies within a few hours, telling you specific steps or handling it directly for you. This method might be slightly slower, but it's more reliable for those unfamiliar with the process and less error-prone.
While having your BandwagonHost VPS IP blocked is frustrating, solving it isn't complicated. After confirming your IP is blocked, use the IP replacement page to request a change. After payment, the system processes automatically, completing within 24 hours. You'll receive an email notification with your new IP address.
If you just purchased a VPS, I recommend testing the IP first. If you bought one with historical issues, you can request a free replacement through a ticket. BandwagonHost's responsive support and straightforward IP replacement process mean you won't be stuck with connectivity issues for long. 👉 Get started with BandwagonHost's reliable VPS hosting designed for smooth operations.
One last reminder: replacing IPs is a solution, not a long-term strategy. If you frequently encounter blocked IPs, seriously examine your usage—are you hosting inappropriate content, or are your proxy tools too easily detected?
Q1: How much does BandwagonHost IP replacement cost?
Replacing an IP once costs $7.39 (approximately 50+ RMB, exact amount depends on exchange rate at payment). This price is fixed—regardless of your VPS plan price, IP replacement costs the same.
Q2: After replacing the IP, are my original configurations and data still there?
No need to worry at all, all data and configurations remain intact. IP replacement only changes your VPS's external network address. All files, configurations, website data, databases, etc. inside the server are completely preserved with no impact.
If your site has a bound domain, remember to update the domain's DNS resolution record to the new IP address. If you connect via SSH, just change the IP address in your connection configuration. Other than that, nothing inside the server needs reconfiguration.
Q3: How long does IP replacement take?
According to official information, IP replacement requests complete within 24 hours. But in reality, most times it's done in a few hours. I've seen cases where people received new IP email notifications just minutes after payment.
Q4: Can I replace to an IP from a specific country or region?
No. BandwagonHost's IP replacement service only assigns new IPs within your current VPS's data center range. If your VPS is in the Los Angeles data center, the new IP will also be from Los Angeles—you can't switch to IPs from other countries or regions.
If you want an IP from a different region, the only option is using BandwagonHost's data center migration feature. After migration, your IP naturally changes.
Q5: How can I avoid getting my IP blocked?
This concerns many people. While you can't guarantee 100% you'll never get blocked, following these practices greatly reduces risk:
1. Compliant usage: Don't host any questionable content on your server, including unauthorized videos, articles, or proxy services.
2. Test new VPS first: After getting a VPS, use detection tools to test the IP first, ensuring it works normally.
3. Mind traffic characteristics: If you're running special services on your server, choose protocols and ports with less obvious traffic patterns.
Bottom line: if you use it normally and stay compliant, the probability of getting blocked is genuinely low. I've used it for years without encountering this, so don't worry excessively. Do what you need to do, take basic precautions, and you'll be fine.