gitlab-org--gitlab-foss/doc/user/admin_area/blocking_unblocking_users.md

stage	group	info	type
Manage	Access	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	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.

Users can be blocked via an abuse report, or directly from the Admin Area. To do this:

1. Navigate to Admin Area > Overview > Users.
2. Select a user.
3. Under the Account tab, click Block user.

A blocked user:

• Cannot log in.
• Cannot access Git repositories or the API.
• Does not receive any notifications from GitLab.
• Cannot use slash commands.

Personal projects, and group and user history of the blocked user are left intact.

Users can also be blocked using the GitLab API.

NOTE: A blocked user does not consume a seat.

Unblocking a user

A blocked user can be unblocked from the Admin Area. To do this:

1. Navigate to Admin Area > Overview > Users.
2. Click on the Blocked tab.
3. Select a user.
4. Under the Account tab, click Unblock user.

Users can also be unblocked using the GitLab API.

NOTE: Unblocking a user changes the user's state to active and consumes a seat.