How to Block Someone on Twitch: Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Trolls & Harassment (2025)

Alright, let's cut to the chase. You're here because someone on Twitch is driving you nuts. Maybe it's constant spam in your chat, creepy whispers, or just someone being downright nasty. You want them gone from your experience, fast. Knowing how to block someone on Twitch is the absolute first line of defense, and frankly, it's something every streamer and viewer needs to have in their toolkit. I remember back when I started streaming, getting that first wave of trolls felt overwhelming. Figuring out the blocking process quickly became essential peace of mind. Let me walk you through exactly how it works, step-by-step, on every device, and what blocking actually does (and doesn't do!). No fluff, just straight-up practical help.

Exactly How to Block Someone on Twitch: Step-by-Step (All Devices)

The steps differ depending on whether you're chilling on your couch with your phone, grinding at your PC, or even managing things as a moderator. Let's break it down.

Blocking on the Twitch Desktop Website (Your Browser)

This is where most streamers hang out. Blocking someone here is pretty straightforward once you know where to look:

Open Chat: Obviously, you need the chat window visible where the annoying person is typing.
Find Their Username: Spot the username you want to block.
Right-Click (or Context Menu): This is the key! Hover your mouse over their username *in the chat* and right-click (or click the little three-dot menu icon that appears next to their name on hover).
Select "Block": In the menu that pops up, look for the "Block [Username]" option. Click it.
Confirm: A confirmation box will appear asking if you're sure you want to block them. Click "Block" again. Done.

Seriously, why is the "Block" confirmation sometimes hidden behind multiple clicks? Twitch could make this smoother.

Blocking on the Twitch Mobile App (iOS & Android)

Need to block someone fast while watching on your phone? Here's how:

Tap the Username: Inside the chat, tap directly on the username of the person you want to block. A profile card should slide up.
Find the Three Dots: Look for the three vertical dots (the "more options" icon) usually in the top-right corner of their profile card. Tap it.
Choose "Block": From the list of options, select "Block".
Confirm Block: You'll get a final popup asking you to confirm. Tap "Block" again. Poof, they're blocked.

Blocking as a Moderator in Chat

Mods have superpowers! Blocking is one of them, and it works similarly to a regular user on each platform (right-click or three-dots on username), but mods have extra tools too.

Mod Tip: Blocking via mod tools like Chatty or StreamElements usually involves commands (/block [username]) directly in chat. Check your specific bot/mod panel documentation!

What Happens When You Block Someone on Twitch? The Real Deal

Okay, you hit block. Now what? Let's clear up the confusion. Blocking on Twitch has specific, sometimes limited, effects:

What Happens	What Does NOT Happen
They cannot whisper (DM) you. Any existing whisper threads vanish from your view.	They can still see you stream. Blocking doesn't make you invisible to them on the platform.
You won't see their chat messages in ANY channel, ever. Their messages are completely hidden from you.	They can still see your chat messages in channels you both occupy (unless YOU are also the streamer and ban them from YOUR channel specifically).
You won't see if they follow you or subscribe to you. It's like they don't exist on your end.	They can still follow you, subscribe to you, or donate. You just won't get notifications or see it. (Weird, but true).
They cannot add you as a friend.	They might still see your stream in browse/listings, unless they block you too.
You disappear from their follower/following lists.	They aren't notified you blocked them. Twitch doesn't send an alert. They might figure it out if they try to whisper you or notice you never react to their chats.

See the pattern? Blocking primarily shields YOU from seeing THEM and interacting with you directly. It doesn't kick them off Twitch or stop them from watching public streams. It's personal protection.

When Blocking Isn't Enough: Your Twitch Safety Toolkit

Look, blocking is crucial, but it's not a magic wand. Sometimes you need heavier artillery, especially as a streamer dealing with persistent issues. Here's what else you've got:

Banning (Channel Ban): This is the streamer/mod hammer. Banning someone from your specific channel stops them from chatting, following, or subscribing in THAT channel. They can still watch (unless you enable ban evasion detection tools). Way more powerful than a simple block for your own stream's safety. How? Usually type /ban [username] or /timeout [username] [duration] in your chat, or use the right-click/three-dots menu.
Reporting: If someone is seriously violating Twitch's Terms of Service (hate speech, threats, severe harassment, etc.), BLOCK THEM, but also REPORT THEM. Use the reporting tools (found in the same right-click/three-dots menu near the username). This alerts Twitch Trust & Safety. Blocking stops *your* interaction; reporting aims to stop *their* behavior platform-wide. Don't skip reporting if it's serious.
AutoMod & Moderation Tools: As a streamer, configure AutoMod strength in your Creator Dashboard (Settings > Moderation > AutoMod). Set up blocked terms and phrases. Use mod bots (Nightbot, Moobot, StreamElements) for automated timeouts/bans on specific words or links. Empower your human mods! (Seriously, good mods are worth their weight in gold during a raid).
Privacy Settings: Lock down who can whisper you (Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy). Set it to "Followers Only" or "No One" if whispers are a problem source. Also, manage who can host you.

Think of blocking as your shield. Banning is your channel's gatekeeper. Reporting is calling the cops on truly bad behavior. Use them together.

Big Questions People Ask About Blocking on Twitch (FAQ)

I hear these questions all the time. Let's tackle them head-on:

Can the person I block tell that I blocked them?

Twitch doesn't send them a notification saying "You've been blocked!" However, they might figure it out. If they try to whisper you and get an error, or if they notice you never respond to their chat messages (which you can't see), it becomes obvious. They won't see a clear "Blocked" indicator on your profile though. It's stealthy, but not invisible.

If I block someone, does it block them across all channels?

Absolutely. That's the core point! When you block someone, you won't see their chat messages in any Twitch channel, anywhere. Doesn't matter whose stream you're in. It's a global mute/invisibility for you towards that person. (This is different from a channel ban, which only affects one specific channel.)

Can a blocked person still watch my stream?

Yes, they generally can. Blocking them stops *you* from seeing *them* and stops direct interaction (whispers). It doesn't prevent them from viewing your public broadcast. If you want to stop them from watching entirely, you'd need to ban them from your channel (if you're the streamer), and even then, determined individuals might find ways unless Twitch's IP/ban evasion tools catch them. This limitation trips people up constantly.

How do I UNBLOCK someone on Twitch?

Changed your mind? It happens. Here's how to undo it:

Click your profile picture (top-right) > Settings.
Go to Security & Privacy.
Scroll down to the Privacy section.
Click Manage Blocked Users (or similar wording).
You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Find the username.
Click the Unblock button next to their name.
Confirm. They'll be unblocked instantly.

What's the difference between Blocking and Banning?

This is SO important and often confused!

Blocking:

Action taken by any user (viewer or streamer).
Affects your personal interaction with the blocked person globally (across all channels).
Stops you seeing their chats/whispers; stops them whispering you.
Doesn't stop them watching streams (usually).

Banning (Channel Ban):

Action taken by a streamer or their mods.
Affects the banned person's access to that one specific channel.
Stops them chatting, following, subscribing in that channel.
May stop them watching (depends on settings/evasion tools).

Think of Blocking as personal protection. Banning is channel protection/enforcement.

Why block someone instead of just banning them from my channel?

If you're a streamer dealing with a troll in your own chat, banning is usually the better first step as it removes them from your channel space. However, you should ALSO block them afterwards to prevent them from whispering you or harassing you in other channels you frequent. Blocking adds that personal layer of defense beyond just your channel. As a viewer experiencing harassment in multiple channels, blocking is your primary tool.

Pro Tips & Things I Wish I Knew Sooner

Block Early, Block Often: Don't feel bad. Seriously. If someone makes you uncomfortable, spams, or is just annoying, block them. Your Twitch experience should be enjoyable. You don't owe anyone your attention.
The Block List Isn't Endless: Twitch does have limits, though they are high. Focus on blocking the genuinely problematic people.
Combine Block + Report for Serious Stuff: Threats, hate speech, doxxing attempts? Block IMMEDIATELY for your safety, then REPORT thoroughly. Provide screenshots if possible via Twitch's reporting form.
Mods are Your Friends: If you're streaming and harassment starts, alert your mods immediately via whisper or mod channel. Don't try to fight it solo mid-stream. A good mod team can shut it down fast while you focus on your content.
Protect Your Chat: Streamers: Use AutoMod, set chat rules (slow mode, follower-only chat), and don't be afraid to ban liberally in your own space. It's your house.
Twitch's Block Function is... Imperfect: Let's be real, the fact that blocked users can still watch you stream and potentially interact indirectly (like via raids hosted by others into your channel) is a flaw in the system many of us dislike. We rely on channel bans and mods to fill those gaps. It’s clunky.

Beyond Blocking: Building a Positive Community

While knowing how to block someone on Twitch is essential defense, the best long-term strategy is fostering a positive community. Set clear rules. Be consistent with moderation (both for yourself and your mods). Reward positive chatters. Engage with your audience genuinely. A welcoming atmosphere naturally discourages trolls – they thrive on chaos and negativity. When your regulars and mods have your back, dealing with the occasional bad apple becomes much less stressful. Remember, blocking is just one tool. Creating a space where people feel respected is the real win.

So, there you have it. Everything you realistically need to know about how to block someone on Twitch, what it does, what it doesn't, and how to handle the tougher stuff. Go reclaim your chat peace!