Escape from Tarkov is an intense, unforgiving first-person shooter infused with RPG and survival elements. The game boasts a highly detailed in-game economy, with the Flea Market at its core. But for many players, encountering Error 214 — a ban from the Flea Market — can be an unexpected and frustrating experience. Understanding what this error means and how to address it is essential for anyone relying on the Flea Market as their primary means of trade and progression.
TL;DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Error 214 in Escape from Tarkov indicates that your account has been blocked from using the Flea Market, typically due to infractions such as suspicious trading behavior or real-money trading (RMT) violations. While this ban doesn’t prevent you from playing the game, it severely limits access to in-game trading. Bans can be either temporary or permanent depending on the nature and severity of the detected behavior. Appealing a Flea Market ban is possible, especially if imposed in error, but requires submitting a support ticket with Battlestate Games.
What Is Error 214?
Error 214 appears when players attempt to access or use the Flea Market in Escape from Tarkov, only to be met with a message that their access has been restricted. This error is essentially a ban from participating in the Flea Market.
The Flea Market allows players to buy, sell, and trade items with others, often becoming the lifeline for finding critical gear, ammo, and quest items. Losing access to it significantly degrades in-game quality of life.
Why Am I Seeing Error 214?
There are several reasons why a player might be banned from the Flea Market. Battlestate Games employs automated systems and manual reviews to detect suspicious activity. Here are the most common causes:
- Real-Money Trading (RMT): Engaging in transactions where real-world money is exchanged for in-game items is strictly forbidden and a major reason for bans.
- Suspicious Trading Patterns: Repeated unusual trading behaviors, like selling an item at a vastly inflated price to an associate, can trigger red flags.
- Account Sharing or Boosting: Having other players use your account or paying for leveling services can result in access restrictions.
- Use of Prohibited Software: Mods, cheats, or scripts that alter game functioning can cause automatic bans related to various features, including the Flea Market.
In some cases, legitimate players who have done none of the above may still get caught in the crossfire due to error-prone detection scripts or misjudged actions.
Are Flea Market Bans Permanent?
Not necessarily. Flea Market bans can be either temporary or permanent, depending on the nature and frequency of the flagged behavior. In most cases observed, however, such bans tend to be long-term or indefinite unless successfully appealed.
If Battlestate Games believes there’s strong evidence of repeated TOS violations — such as RMT — a permanent ban is more likely. For borderline or unclear cases, especially if it’s a first-time offense, a shorter-duration ban or even a warning may be issued.
What Happens If You’re Banned?
When banned, players receive the Error 214 code upon attempting to use the Flea Market. The rest of the game continues to function normally: raids, quests, headquarter operations, and hideout progress remain unaffected. However, the ban removes a powerful tool for progression. You’ll be unable to:
- Post items for sale on the Flea Market
- Purchase items listed by other players
- Interact with one of the game’s most active economic ecosystems
For many mid-to-late game players, this is a crippling loss. Being unable to acquire rare barter items or ammunition through the Flea Market can seriously hamper both casual and competitive gameplay.
How to Appeal a Flea Market Ban
If you believe the ban was issued in error, Battlestate Games offers a formal process to dispute it. Follow these guidelines:
- Visit the official Escape from Tarkov support page.
- Log in with your game account credentials.
- Select the category “Account Issues” or “Gameplay Restrictions.”
- Clearly explain your case in a professional and respectful tone. Include your account name and a detailed timeline of relevant events.
- Wait for the investigation results. Response times may vary from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on traffic.
Be advised: if your account has been conclusively found in violation of the game’s TOS, successful appeals are unlikely. Battlestate Games is known for taking account security and game economy integrity very seriously.
How to Avoid Future Bans
Whether you’ve been banned or want to avoid trouble altogether, here are some best practices to protect your account going forward:
- Never engage with RMT sellers: Avoid social media or forums offering in-game items for money. These are often monitored by the developers.
- Keep trades realistic: Trading a pack of matches for a million rubles looks suspicious. Stay within sensible price ranges.
- Don’t share your account: Sharing account credentials with others may not only get you banned but is also against the game’s license agreement.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA): Protect your account from unauthorized access and misuse.
- Read the Terms of Service: Familiarize yourself with what is and isn’t allowed—it’s worth the time.
Common Myths About Flea Market Bans
Because Flea Market restrictions can be sudden and sometimes perplexing, misinformation often floats around. Let’s correct some of the most common myths:
- “It’s just a bug, not a real ban.”
While some minor glitches might restrict temporary access, Error 214 is never a benign issue. It explicitly represents a form of disciplinary action. - “If my friend bought from me, I’ll be fine.”
Not necessarily. Repeated transactions between the same accounts, especially at illogical prices, can be flagged—whether between friends or strangers. - “Deleting the game and reinstalling it will fix it.”
This is a server-side restriction tied to your account, not your local files. Reinstalling won’t lift the ban.
How Common Is Error 214?
With the rise of RMT operations targeting Tarkov’s economy, Battlestate Games has ramped up anti-exploit measures. This means that while Error 214 isn’t “common” for the average player, it’s far from rare. BSG has banned thousands of accounts in coordinated sweeps, many of which lost trading privileges before full bans were issued.
Increasing transparency from developers and the community has helped clarify the rules, but enforcement remains strict—to maintain the legitimacy and fairness of the game economy.
Final Thoughts
No player wants to see Error 214 pop up during a session of Escape from Tarkov. It can disrupt progress, stall quests, and deeply frustrate users. That said, most bans are issued for specific, avoidable reasons.
If you’re currently banned, follow the appropriate steps to review and appeal. If you’re not—but are wary—make sure your trading and gameplay behavior stays within Battlestate Games’ guidelines. The Flea Market is a powerful resource, but using it responsibly is part of the challenge and reward of surviving in Tarkov.
In a game where every decision can make the difference between survival and extraction, understanding how to avoid unnecessary bans keeps you focused on what matters—thriving in the chaos of Norvinsk.