Check your blocked list directly in Facebook settings
Facebook keeps a record of everyone you've blocked, and you can see the full list by going to your Settings and Privacy menu. Open Facebook on your computer or phone, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, look for Blocking. Click it, and you'll see a section called "Block users" with everyone you've blocked listed by name.
This is the fastest way to find a specific person if you remember blocking them but forgot their name or can't find them in your friends list anymore. The list shows only the people you blocked directly — it does not show people who blocked you, which is different and invisible to you.
On a phone, the path is the same: tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then scroll down to Blocking. The blocked list appears in the same place.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list lives in Settings and Privacy > Settings > Blocking on both computer and phone versions of Facebook.
- The blocked list shows only people you blocked yourself, not people who blocked you.
- You can unblock someone from this same list by clicking the Unblock button next to their name.
- If you blocked someone years ago, they will still appear on this list unless you have since unblocked them.
- Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides your profile from them, and stops their messages from reaching your inbox.
What happens when you block someone on Facebook
When you block a person, Facebook removes them from your friends list immediately, even if you were friends before. They can no longer see your profile, posts, or story. Their messages to you will not arrive in your inbox — instead, they'll see a message saying you're not available to chat. They cannot search for you or find you through mutual friends' profiles.
The person you blocked does not receive a notification that you blocked them. However, they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and see an error message, or if they notice they can no longer message you. Facebook does not tell them why they can't reach you.
Blocking is different from unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and message you unless you block them too. Blocking is the stronger action and is the only way to completely hide from someone on Facebook.
Search for someone's name to see if they're on your blocked list
If you think you blocked someone but can't remember their exact name, you can search for them in the blocked list. Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings > Blocking, and you'll see a search box at the top that says "Block users." Type the person's name, and Facebook will show you whether they appear on your blocked list.
This search only works if you remember at least part of their name. If you blocked someone years ago and only remember their nickname or first name, you may need to scroll through the full list instead. The list does not sort alphabetically, so blocked users appear in the order you blocked them, with the most recent blocks at the top.
Unblock someone if you change your mind
If you find someone on your blocked list and want to unblock them, click the Unblock button next to their name. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click Unblock again to finish. Once you unblock someone, they can see your profile again, message you, and add you as a friend, but they will not be automatically re-added to your friends list.
Unblocking someone does not notify them that you unblocked them. They simply regain the ability to find and contact you. If they try to message you after you unblock them, the message will come through normally.
You can block and unblock the same person as many times as you want. There is no limit to how many people you can block, and blocking someone does not affect your ability to use Facebook otherwise.
Why Facebook blocks might not show the person you're looking for
If you're looking for someone you thought you blocked but they don't appear on your blocked list, you may have unfriended them instead. Unfriending removes someone from your friends list but does not block them — they can still see your public posts and message you. Check your friends list to see if they're there; if they are, you unfriended them rather than blocked them.
Another possibility is that the person deactivated or deleted their Facebook account after you blocked them. When an account is deactivated or deleted, it may still appear on your blocked list, but their name might look different or show as a blank profile. If you see an entry on your blocked list with no name or a generic placeholder, this is usually why.
If you blocked someone on Instagram or Messenger but not on Facebook itself, they will not appear on your Facebook blocked list. Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger have separate blocking systems, so you need to check each platform individually if you're not sure where you blocked them.
Manage your blocked list on mobile vs. desktop
The blocked list works the same way on Facebook's mobile app and on a computer, but the steps to find it are slightly different. On a phone or tablet, tap the three-line menu icon at the bottom right, then Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down to find Blocking and tap it. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner and follow the same path through Settings and Privacy.
Once you're in the Blocking section, the list looks identical on both devices. You can unblock someone from either version, and the change will show up on all your devices within a few minutes. If you block someone on your phone, they'll be blocked when you log in on your computer, and vice versa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see who blocked me on Facebook?
No. Facebook does not show you a list of people who blocked you. You can only see people you blocked yourself. If you suspect someone blocked you, you can try searching for their profile — if you cannot find them and they don't appear in mutual friends' profiles, they may have blocked you, but you cannot confirm this through Facebook.
If I unblock someone, will they know?
No. Unblocking someone does not send them a notification. They will only know if they try to contact you or visit your profile and discover they can now reach you when they couldn't before.
What's the difference between blocking and unfriending?
Unfriending removes someone from your friends list but they can still see your public posts and message you. Blocking hides your entire profile from them and stops their messages from reaching you. Blocking is stronger and more complete.
Can I block someone without them knowing?
Yes. When you block someone, Facebook does not notify them. They may figure it out if they try to message you or visit your profile, but Facebook will not tell them you blocked them.
How far back does my blocked list go?
Your blocked list includes everyone you've ever blocked on Facebook, going back as far as your account exists. People only disappear from the list if you unblock them. If you blocked someone five years ago and never unblocked them, they will still be on the list.