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---
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stage: Manage
group: Access
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info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
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type: howto
---
# Blocking and unblocking users
GitLab administrators block and unblock users.
## Blocking a user
In order to completely prevent access of a user to the GitLab instance, administrators can choose to
block the user.
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Users can be blocked [via an abuse report ](review_abuse_reports.md#blocking-users ),
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or directly from the Admin Area. To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users** .
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Block user** .
A blocked user:
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- Cannot log in.
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- Cannot access Git repositories or the API.
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- Does not receive any notifications from GitLab.
- Cannot use [slash commands ](../../integration/slash_commands.md ).
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Personal projects, and group and user history of the blocked user are left intact.
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Users can also be blocked using the [GitLab API ](../../api/users.md#block-user ).
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NOTE:
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A blocked user does not consume a [seat ](../../subscriptions/self_managed/index.md#billable-users ).
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## Unblocking a user
A blocked user can be unblocked from the Admin Area. To do this:
1. Navigate to **Admin Area > Overview > Users** .
1. Click on the **Blocked** tab.
1. Select a user.
1. Under the **Account** tab, click **Unblock user** .
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Users can also be unblocked using the [GitLab API ](../../api/users.md#unblock-user ).
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NOTE:
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Unblocking a user changes the user's state to active and consumes a
[seat ](../../subscriptions/self_managed/index.md#billable-users ).