.png)
Whether you have just received some SPAM content on Teams or want to block someone you no longer wish to communicate with, this guide is for you!
Understanding what happens when you block someone on Teams
So, first of all, what happens when you block someone on Teams?
Blocking someone on Teams restricts their ability to communicate with you. They will not receive notifications about your activities and cannot contact you through any means within the Teams platform.
So, how do you block someone on Teams?
If you need to block a contact on Microsoft Teams, follow these steps:
Open the Microsoft Teams application and log in to your account.
Go to the chat or contact list for the person you want to block.
Right-click on the person's name or profile.
A drop-down menu will appear. Select "Block" from the options provided.
A confirmation message will appear. Confirm the action.
Best practices for blocking people on Teams
There are three reasons why you'll want to block someone on Teams:
They are potential spammers
Their communication is disruptive or otherwise
You no longer need to be in contact with that person
How to stop the SPAM
If you have received a spam contact attempt through MS Teams at work, you must immediately report this to your line manager. They will give you steps to delete the communication and help you review your multifactor authentication.
But what if you want to block someone you work with?
If the person you want to block is a work colleague, you need to consider your working relationship, i.e., how your work affects their ability to do theirs and vice versa. Can you chat about how to fix the problem?
If you find their communications breach the working code of conduct or feel they are behaving inappropriately, your first step before blocking them is to report their behaviour to your line manager.
Unblocking on Teams
For those rare occasions where you need to unblock someone on Teams, you can do that by:
Going to the "Manage team" option.
Selecting "Settings" and then "Permissions".
Find the member you want to unblock and change their status to "Active".
Once the block is reversed, members can communicate freely within the team. Addressing any misunderstandings or issues that led to the block is essential to maintaining a positive team environment. So, ensure that if it was an internal block, both parties understand how to move forward and avoid the same issues.
Other common FAQs about blocking people on Teams
Q: Can You Block Someone on Teams Chat specifically?
Yes, you can block someone on Microsoft Teams chat. When you block someone, they can no longer send you messages or see your activity and status. To block someone in Teams, you must right-click on the person's name and select "Block".
Blocking someone in Teams chat will also block them in other Microsoft 365 services and vice versa. If you change your mind in the future, you can unblock the person by going to your settings and managing your blocked contacts.
It's essential to use the block feature responsibly and only when necessary. Blocking someone should be a last resort, and it's always best to resolve any issues through communication first.
Q: Can You Hide from Someone on Teams?
You can hide from someone on Microsoft Teams by changing your status to "Appear Offline."
Switching your status can be helpful to avoid being contacted by a specific person while still being active on Teams for other purposes. However, it's important to note that appearing offline doesn't prevent others from seeing your activity in channels and other areas where you are active.
You can also manage your privacy settings to control who can see your presence status and contact you. Adjusting these settings allows you to customise your availability and visibility to different individuals or groups within your Teams network.
If you have any other questions about using Microsoft Teams for business, please view our M365 Teams guides here.