You can block someone on Facebook and they won't get a notification
When you block someone on Facebook, they don't receive a message saying you blocked them. They simply can't find your profile, see your posts, message you, or access anything you've shared. However, they may eventually figure it out if they try to visit your profile or search for you and notice they can't — so blocking is not truly invisible, just quiet.
The block takes effect immediately. If you're blocking someone to stop contact or harassment, the action happens right away. If you later change your mind, you can unblock them just as easily, though unblocking doesn't automatically restore your friendship or message history.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides all your content from them, and prevents them from messaging or finding your profile.
- Facebook does not send the blocked person a notification that you blocked them, but they may discover it by trying to visit your profile.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a conversation, or from your friends list — the result is the same regardless of where you start.
- If you block someone by mistake or change your mind later, you can unblock them from your settings at any time.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
Open Facebook and search for the person you want to block. You can use the search bar at the top of the page and type their name. Once you find their profile, click on it to open it.
Look for the three dots (•••) or the menu icon near the top right of their profile. Click it. A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from that menu. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again to finish. The block is now active.
After you block someone, their profile becomes invisible to you as well. You won't see their posts in your feed, and searching for them will show no results. This is intentional — blocking works both ways to prevent accidental contact.
How to block someone from a Facebook message or conversation
If you're already messaging with someone and want to block them, open the conversation. Look for the person's name at the top of the chat window. Click on their name or profile picture to open their profile preview or full profile.
From there, find the three dots menu (•••) and select "Block." Confirm your choice. The conversation will remain in your message list, but the person won't be able to send you new messages, and you won't receive notifications if they try.
How to block someone from your friends list
Go to your profile and click "Friends" to see your full friends list. Find the person you want to block. Hover over their name or profile picture until you see options appear. Click the three dots (•••) next to their name.
Select "Block" from the menu. Facebook will confirm that you want to block them. Once confirmed, they're removed from your friends list and blocked from contacting you. This method is faster if you already know who you're looking for and don't want to search.
What happens when you block someone
The blocked person loses access to your profile immediately. They can't see your posts, photos, videos, or any content you've shared. They can't send you messages, friend requests, or see when you're online. If they try to visit your profile directly, they'll see a message saying the profile isn't available or that the content doesn't exist.
Your past messages with them remain in your inbox, but they can't send new ones. If you were in a group chat together, you'll both still be in the group, but they won't be able to message you directly. Comments you've made on mutual friends' posts will still be visible to them, but they won't see posts you make going forward.
How to tell if someone has blocked you (and why it matters)
If you suspect someone has blocked you, try searching for their profile. If you can't find them and you know their name, they may have blocked you. You can also try visiting their profile directly if you have an old link — if it says the profile isn't available, you're likely blocked.
Another sign is if you can no longer see a conversation with them in your messages, or if messages you sent are no longer visible. However, these could also mean they deleted their account or deactivated it, so blocking isn't the only explanation. Facebook doesn't tell you directly when someone blocks you, so you have to piece it together from these indirect signs.
How to unblock someone if you change your mind
Go to your Facebook settings by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Select "Settings and privacy," then "Settings." On the left side, click "Blocking." You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked under "Block users."
Find the person you want to unblock and click "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm your choice. They're now unblocked and can see your profile, send you messages, and interact with your posts again. Unblocking doesn't automatically make you friends again — you'll need to send a friend request if you want to restore that connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
Facebook doesn't send a notification, so they won't get a message saying you blocked them. However, if they try to find your profile or visit it directly, they'll notice they can't access it. Over time, they may figure out you blocked them, but they won't know the exact moment it happened.
Can I block someone without them seeing I'm online?
Blocking prevents them from seeing when you're online, but it doesn't hide your past activity. If they saw you were online before you blocked them, they'll remember that. Blocking only affects what they can see going forward, not what they've already seen.
What if I block someone and then unblock them later?
When you unblock someone, your message history with them is restored, and they can see your profile again. However, they won't receive a notification that you unblocked them. You'll need to send them a message or friend request if you want to reconnect.
Can I block someone on Facebook but still see their profile?
No. Blocking works both ways — when you block someone, their profile becomes invisible to you as well. You can't view their posts, photos, or profile information. If you want to monitor someone's activity without them knowing, you'd need to use a different method, like muting them instead.
What's the difference between blocking and muting someone?
Muting hides someone's posts from your feed without blocking them entirely. They can still see your profile, message you, and interact with your posts. Blocking is much stronger — it removes all contact and visibility. Use muting if you want less contact but not a complete break.