What is TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot?
Secure Boot enforces a strict chain of trust: it checks that all software loaded at start-up is signed by a trusted certificate. The TPM enhances this by performing a “Measured Boot,” where it records a unique fingerprint of every component in the boot chain. It can then provide our anti-cheat with a cryptographically signed, tamper-proof report, through a process called “attestation.” This report allows us to verify that the boot process was clean and that no unauthorized software was loaded.
What is IOMMU and VBS?
IOMMU (Input-Output Memory Management Unit) is a next-generation anti-cheat approach that behaves as a firewall for your RAM that limits what plug-in devices can access, so DMA-card cheats can’t read game memory—blocking that path at the hardware level. We require VBS to support IOMMU reliably on Windows. Enforcing IOMMU (and VBS) raises the cost and complexity of cheat development.. In the last three months of limited rollout, we banned over 200 players for DMA-based cheats, including 20 using devices priced around $4,500.
How will these requirements affect my performance?
While TPM and Secure Boot do not impact performance, IOMMU and VBS can have a minor performance impact in some cases, particularly on older systems or systems with immature firmware. However, the security benefits of IOMMU, which protects against DMA-based cheats, are considered more significant than any potential, slight performance overhead.
Why gradual rollout and not 100% enforcement to all players?
For many, it’s a one-time BIOS/UEFI change, for others it means troubleshooting drivers or boot issues, and for a small group on older hardware, the only viable fix may be replacing components or moving to a newer PC which is an expensive and disruptive step. Due to the potential level of disruption for players, we have rolled out these settings gradually and monitored compatibility, giving us time to map issues and expand requirements safely without causing major problems for large numbers of players on varying PC configurations. It’s also why settings such as IOMMU is being enforced in waves, and why nobody in the Anti-Cheat industry is enforcing it on all players currently.
I enabled Secure Boot and now my PC won’t boot. What should I do?
Boot issues are usually caused by a mismatched partition scheme (UEFI with MBR). Use Microsoft’s mbr2gpt tool to convert your system drive to GPT, then switch to UEFI and enable Secure Boot. If the system still fails to boot, revert the change (disable Secure Boot), update your BIOS, and try again.
My motherboard doesn’t have TPM 2.0. Can I still play?
If your hardware truly lacks TPM 2.0, the system will not meet FACEIT requirements. Most CPUs and motherboards from the last decade include firmware TPM (Intel PTT or AMD fTPM). Enable it in BIOS under “Security” or “Trusted Computing.”
Where can I find IOMMU? I don’t see it in my BIOS.
Look for “VT-d” (Intel) or “IOMMU/AMD-Vi” (AMD). Update your BIOS, check your board manual, or search your model name + “IOMMU.” If the option is absent, your CPU/board may not support it. If your system cannot enable IOMMU, it will not meet our requirements as rollout expands. Please check updates of your motherboard/CPU vendors or Microsoft as some fixes depend on them.
My hardware doesn’t have IOMMU. What should I do?
If your BIOS doesn’t provide VT-d (Intel) or AMD-Vi (AMD), the system will not meet the requirement once universal enforcement begins. Almost all CPUs from 2015 onward include VT-d/AMD-Vi support, and refurbished 8th–9th gen models are widely available at low cost.
I play on Windows 10 or legacy BIOS/MBR. What should I do?
UEFI + GPT will be required for Secure Boot. If you’re on Legacy BIOS/MBR, use Microsoft’s MBR→GPT tool before enabling Secure Boot. Windows 10 remains usable for now; Windows 11 becomes a requirement in Oct 2026.
Do I have to install Windows 11 today in order to play FACEIT?
From the 14th of October 2026, Windows 11 will be required to play on FACEIT. If you’re on Windows 10, upgrade before that date to continue playing. We chose this date to align with Microsoft’s schedule as Windows 10 support ended on the 14th of October 2025, and the consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) program will end on the 13th of October 2026. After that day, Windows 10 stops receiving security updates, leaving known security issues open longer, which cheat developers can abuse.
I am experiencing boot loops and crashes. How can I fix this?
If enabling TPM/Secure Boot/IOMMU causes instability: (1) revert the last BIOS change, (2) update BIOS/chipset firmware, (3) re-enable features one by one. If it persists, open a ticket with msinfo32 + AC logs; For further details please visit our Known Issues page.
What information does the FACEIT Anti-Cheat check?
FACEIT’s Anti-Cheat verifies the integrity of the boot chain and system memory. We collect what’s required to confirm the system’s integrity and detect malicious or unauthorized software—nothing more. TPM signs boot measurements, and our anti‑cheat verifies those signatures to ensure no unauthorized firmware or drivers were loaded. We comply with GDPR and other privacy regulations.
Are there going to be cheaters on FACEIT after this update?
No Anti-Cheat prevents all cheats before they impact matches. What changes is how hard and expensive cheating becomes and the methods we can use to detect it. By requiring hardware-level protections (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, IOMMU with VBS), we shut down cheap, common paths (vulnerable drivers, EFI Based Cheats, DMA devices) and push cheat developers into rarer, higher-cost techniques that are harder to deploy and easier to verify against. In the last three months of limited rollout, we banned over 200 players for DMA-based cheats, including ~20 using high-end devices.
The broader security ecosystem (OS vendors, driver signing, firmware protections), anti-virus and anti-cheats have been rowing in the same direction and are aligned more than ever before in their goals. This is positive news for all players who play fair and for the future of our battle against cheat developers.