Blocking someone on Twitch removes them from your chat, hides their messages from your past streams, and stops them from following you

When you block a user on Twitch, that person can no longer see your channel, send you messages, or interact with your streams. Their old messages disappear from your chat history. They cannot follow you, raid you, or host your channel. If they try to visit your channel directly, they will see a message saying the channel is not available to them.

Blocking is different from timing out or banning a user during a stream. A timeout is temporary — the person can chat again after a set period. A ban is permanent for that channel only, but the person can still see your channel exists and can create a new account to get around it. A block is the strongest option: it is personal to your account, and the blocked person knows they have been blocked.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block someone from their profile page, from a message they sent you, or from your blocked users list in settings.
  • A blocked person cannot see your channel, cannot message you, and cannot follow or raid you, but they will know they have been blocked.
  • Blocking only affects your account — the person can still watch other channels and use Twitch normally.
  • You can unblock someone at any time from your settings, and they will regain the ability to see your channel and message you.

Block someone from their Twitch profile

The simplest way to block someone is to visit their profile and use the block button. Go to their channel or profile page by searching their username or clicking their name in chat. Look for the three-dot menu icon (⋯) next to their username or follow button — this is usually in the top right area of their profile header.

Click the three-dot menu and select "Block User" from the dropdown. A confirmation window will appear asking if you want to block this person. Click "Block" to confirm. The person will no longer be able to see your channel or send you messages.

Block someone from a direct message

If someone has sent you a direct message that you want to block, you can block them straight from the message. Open your direct messages by clicking the chat icon at the top of the Twitch website or app. Find the conversation with the person you want to block.

Click the three-dot menu icon at the top of that conversation and select "Block User." The conversation will disappear from your inbox, and that person will not be able to send you new messages. Their old messages will still be gone from your view.

Block someone from your settings

You can also manage blocks from your account settings. Click your profile icon in the top right corner of Twitch and select "Settings." Go to the "Privacy and Safety" tab on the left side. Scroll down to find "Blocked Users."

Click "Manage Blocked Users" to see everyone you have already blocked. You can search for a username here and block them without visiting their profile. Type their username in the search box and click the block icon next to their name. This method is useful if you want to block someone without them knowing you visited their profile.

What happens when you block someone

Once you block a user, they will see a message if they try to visit your channel saying "This channel is not available to you." They cannot follow you, subscribe to you, or see your stream status. Any messages they sent in your chat before the block will be hidden from your view, though other viewers can still see those old messages.

The blocked person can still watch other channels, follow other streamers, and use Twitch normally. They will know they have been blocked because they will see the unavailable message when they try to access your channel. Blocking is not anonymous — if they try to visit your profile, they will understand what happened.

Unblock someone if you change your mind

You can remove a block at any time. Go to your Settings, select "Privacy and Safety," and click "Manage Blocked Users." Find the person you want to unblock in the list and click the unblock icon next to their name. They will when ready regain the ability to see your channel, follow you, and send you messages.

Unblocking does not restore old messages they sent before the block — those remain hidden from your chat history. The person will not receive a notification that you have unblocked them, but they will be able to see your channel again if they search for it.

When to block versus timeout or ban

Use a timeout for someone who is breaking chat rules but might be a one-time problem — they sent spam, made an offensive joke, or were being rude. A timeout lasts anywhere from a few seconds to two weeks, and the person can chat again after it expires. Timeouts are good for keeping chat clean without permanent action.

Use a ban when someone repeatedly breaks your chat rules or is harassing other viewers. A ban is permanent for your channel, but the person can see your channel still exists and can try to evade it with a new account. Bans are the right choice for protecting your chat community.

Use a block when someone is harassing you personally, sending unwanted messages, or you straightforward do not want them to see your content at all. Blocking is more personal than a ban — it is about your relationship with that specific person, not about chat moderation. Blocks are also useful if someone is following you across multiple streams or sending repeated messages you do not want to see.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

Yes. When a blocked person tries to visit your channel, they will see a message saying the channel is not available to them. This makes it clear they have been blocked rather than the channel being down or private. They cannot see your streams, followers, or any of your content.

If I block someone, can they still see my old streams or VODs?

No. Once you block someone, they cannot access your channel at all, including past streams, clips, or VODs. If they had already watched a VOD before you blocked them, they cannot watch it again from your channel page.

What if someone blocks me — can I still watch their streams?

No. If someone blocks you, you will see a message that their channel is not available to you. You cannot watch their live streams, VODs, or clips. You can still watch other streamers and use Twitch normally.

Do I need to ban someone before I block them?

No. Blocking and banning are separate actions. You can block someone without banning them from chat, and you can ban someone without blocking them personally. Choose whichever action fits the situation — blocking is about your personal boundary, while banning is about protecting your chat.

Can I block someone on mobile?

Yes. On the Twitch mobile app, visit the person's profile, tap the three-dot menu icon, and select "Block User." You can also manage your blocked users list from Settings > Privacy and Safety > Blocked Users on mobile the same way you do on desktop.