How to Fix: BF4 Kicked by PunkBuster Error

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PunkBuster is an anti-cheat program that is installed by some PC games. It contains two processes – PnkBstrA.exe and PnkBstrB.exe – that work in the background on your computer. PunkBuster monitors your system for signs of fraud in online games. However, PunkBuster can sometimes turn against you and cause all kinds of problems, even for users who do not use cheaters. You simply get the message “Kicked by PunkBuster” without explanation.

ERROR MESSAGE:

Game disconnected: you were kicked by PunkBuster. Stated reason: PunkBuster kicked player ‘Erundo’ (for 0 minutes) … RESTRICTION: Service Communication Failure: PnkBstrA.exe

PunkBuster, developed by Even Balance, Inc. has a long history. It was founded in 2000 and first integrated into the return to Wolfenstein Castle in 2001. It is currently available for Mac and Linux as well as Windows, so even Mac or Linux players can see that PunkBuster works in the background. PunkBuster is automatically installed when you install a game that uses it.

What causes the BF4 Kicked by the PunkBuster error on Windows?

There are not many different causes for this particular problem, but those confirmed by other actors can be solved by relatively simple methods.

• PunkBuster does not work – reinstalling and updating PunkBuster is the recommended solution to this problem. The malfunction of the program is one of the most frequent causes and many users have benefited from the uninstallation of the current version and the installation of the latest version.
• The PunkBuster service does not work properly – The PunkBuster service must work constantly and must be reopened as soon as it is closed. This can be defined in the service properties and can easily solve the problem.
• Windows Defender Firewall – The program can be blocked by the Windows Defender firewall and we recommend that you make an exception for the executable!

Check if the antivirus protection blocks the Punkbuster.

Make sure your antivirus protection does not block the Punkbuster, also check the Windows firewall.

Punkbuster has 2 services in the background to check if your PC is being hacked or if third party programs are affecting the game.

They are called:
PnkbstraA

To make both possible, do:

1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously.
2. Enter “Services.msc”.
3. Find PnkBstraA on the list
4. Mark both and select “Start Service” on the left side.
5. If it is already running, restart it.

Update Punk Buster

1. Go to the Punk Buster page: http://www.punkbuster.com/index.php?page=pbsetup.php
2. Download PB and extract the files to your desktop.
3. Open the Punk Buster folder.
4. Click on the PB configuration and it opens.
5. Add your BF4 game to Punk Buster, which is at the top of Punk Buster.
6. Then update the Punk Buster by going up to the top of Punk Buster.

https://answers.ea.com/t5/Battlefield-4/2017-and-we-still-have-the-Punkbuster-kicking-issue/td-p/5952954

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