The basic steps depend on your phone type and service
Blocking a number on your home phone works differently depending on whether you have a traditional landline, a VoIP service like Vonage or Ooma, or a cordless phone system. Most modern home phones have a built-in block feature you can access directly from your phone or through your service provider's website. The fastest method is usually pressing a button on your phone right after an unwanted call, but you can also add numbers to a block list before you receive calls from them.
The blocked number will still ring through to your voicemail if the caller leaves a message, and some services let you choose whether blocked calls go to voicemail or hang up entirely. If you block a number by mistake, you can unblock it the same way you blocked it — the process takes less than a minute.
Key Takeaways
- Most home phones let you block a number immediately after a call by pressing a specific button sequence, usually *60 or a dedicated block button on the handset.
- You can also add numbers to a block list through your phone's menu or your service provider's online account before you receive calls from them.
- Landlines, VoIP services, and cordless phones each have slightly different blocking methods, so check your phone's manual or your service provider's website for the exact steps.
- Blocked callers typically reach your voicemail or hear a message that the number is not accepting calls, depending on your service settings.
- You can unblock a number at any time using the same menu or button sequence you used to block it.
Blocking a number right after a call on a landline
If you have a traditional landline through your phone company, the fastest way to block a number is to use the *60 feature (sometimes called Call Block) immediately after the unwanted call ends. Pick up the phone and press *60, then follow the voice prompts. The system will ask you to confirm the number you want to block — it usually pulls the last number that called you automatically. Press 1 to confirm and block it.
Some phone companies use different codes — AT&T uses *60, Verizon uses *77, and CenturyLink uses *60 as well, but always check your bill or call your provider to confirm the exact code for your service. If your phone has a display screen, you may see the blocked number appear on the screen after you press the code. The block takes effect immediately, and that number will not ring through to your phone again.
If you do not want to use the code, most landline companies let you log into your online account and add numbers to a block list there. This method takes a few minutes longer but works the same way — the number is blocked as soon as you save it.
Blocking numbers on a VoIP service like Vonage or Ooma
VoIP services usually have their own blocking system separate from your phone's buttons. Log into your account on the Vonage, Ooma, or other provider's website, find the Call Block or Call Management section, and add the number you want to block. Most services let you type in the number manually or select it from your recent call history. Once you save it, the block is active immediately.
Some VoIP services also let you block numbers directly from your phone. Ooma, for example, lets you press *77 after a call to block the number, similar to a landline. Check your service's app or website to see if this feature is available — not all VoIP providers offer it. If you use your VoIP service's mobile app, you may also be able to block numbers from there without logging into the website.
VoIP services often let you choose what happens when a blocked number calls: the call can go straight to voicemail, the caller can hear a message that the number is not accepting calls, or the call can be silently dropped. You can usually change this setting in your account preferences.
Blocking numbers on a cordless phone system
Cordless phones with built-in call blocking usually have a dedicated block button on the handset or let you access blocking through the phone's menu. After an unwanted call, press and hold the block button (sometimes labeled Block or Do Not Disturb) for a few seconds. The phone will confirm that the number is blocked. If your cordless phone does not have a dedicated button, go into the menu, find Call Block or Blocked Calls, and add the number manually.
The exact steps vary by brand — Panasonic, VTech, and AT&T cordless phones all have slightly different menu layouts. Check the manual that came with your phone or search the manufacturer's website for your specific model number. Most manuals are available as PDFs online if you no longer have the paper copy.
Keep in mind that blocking on your cordless phone only blocks calls on that specific handset. If you have multiple cordless phones in your home, you may need to block the number on each one separately, or block it through your landline or VoIP service instead, which blocks it for all phones on that line.
Unblocking a number you blocked by mistake
If you blocked a number and want to unblock it, the process is almost identical to blocking. On a landline, press *60 again and follow the prompts to remove the number from your block list. On a VoIP service, log into your account, find the blocked numbers list, and delete the number. On a cordless phone, go into the menu, find your blocked calls list, select the number, and delete it.
Most services show you a list of all blocked numbers so you can see exactly what you have blocked and remove any by mistake. If you cannot find the unblock option, call your service provider — they can unblock the number for you in a minute or two.
What happens when a blocked number calls you
When someone calls from a blocked number, your phone will not ring. The caller typically hears a message saying the number is not accepting calls, or the call goes directly to your voicemail. Some services let you choose which experience the caller gets — you can set it so they hear a busy signal, a message, or nothing at all.
Blocked callers can usually still leave voicemail messages, so you will see a missed call notification even though the phone did not ring. If you want to prevent blocked callers from leaving voicemail, some services offer that option in your account settings, though it is not the default.
If a blocked caller leaves a voicemail, you can listen to it later and decide whether to unblock them. This gives you a chance to hear what they wanted without being interrupted by the call.
When blocking is not enough
If you are receiving calls from many different numbers or numbers that keep changing, blocking individual numbers will not solve the problem. In that case, ask your service provider about a service like Call Filter (available on many landlines and VoIP services) that screens calls and blocks likely spam or robocalls automatically. These services use databases of known spam numbers and can catch calls before they reach you.
You can also register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov, though this works better for telemarketing calls than for scams or robocalls. If you are getting harassing calls, contact your local police department and your phone company — they may be able to trace the calls and take action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block a number if I do not know who it is?
Yes. If a number shows up on your caller ID, you can block it whether or not you recognize it. If the number is blocked or hidden, you cannot block it directly, but you can ask your service provider about call screening services that filter out calls from blocked numbers.
Will the person I blocked know that I blocked them?
No. They will hear a message that the number is not accepting calls or that the call cannot go through, but they will not receive a notification that you specifically blocked them. From their perspective, it looks like your line is busy or unavailable.
How many numbers can I block?
Most services let you block between 10 and 30 numbers, though some allow more. If you reach your limit, you will need to unblock an old number before you can block a new one. Check your service provider's website to see the limit for your specific service.
Can I block calls from a specific area code?
Most home phone services do not have a built-in feature to block entire area codes, but some VoIP services and call screening apps offer this option. Contact your service provider to ask if they support area code blocking.
What if I block a number and they call from a different number?
Blocking works on a per-number basis, so if someone calls from a different number, that call will ring through unless you block that number too. If the same person keeps calling from multiple numbers, ask your service provider about call screening services that can identify and block calls from the same person across different numbers.