How to Ban and Unban Someone on Discord

This guide shows you how to ban and unban users on Discord, whether you’re managing a small server or a large community. You’ll learn the exact steps for desktop, browser, and mobile, plus how to handle common issues like missing permissions or finding the right user in the ban list.

What You’ll Need

• A Discord account with the Ban Members permission in the server (server owners automatically have this).
• Access to the server’s settings or the specific user’s profile.
• For unbanning, the user’s username and tag (e.g., username#1234) or their User ID.

Step-by-Step: How to Ban a User

1. Open Discord on your computer (desktop app or browser) or mobile device.
2. Navigate to the server where you want to ban the user. You must be in that server.
3. Find the user you want to ban. You can see them in the member list on the right side of the screen, or search for their name in the search bar at the top.
4. Right-click (or long-press on mobile) on the user’s name. This opens a context menu.
5. Select “Ban” from the menu. A confirmation window will appear.
6. Choose a reason (optional) and decide whether to delete the user’s recent messages. You can select “Don’t delete any” or choose a time range (e.g., previous hour, 24 hours, 7 days). This helps clean up spam or harmful content.
7. Click “Ban” to confirm. The user is now banned and will be removed from the server immediately.

Step-by-Step: How to Unban a User

1. Open Discord and go to your server.
2. Click the server name at the top-left, then select “Server Settings” from the dropdown.
3. Click “Bans” in the left sidebar (under “User Management”). A list of all banned users will appear.
4. Find the user you want to unban. You can scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top of the list.
5. Click “Revoke Ban” next to the user’s name. A confirmation window will appear.
6. Click “Revoke Ban” again to confirm. The user is now unbanned and can rejoin via a new invite or if they had a previous invite link.

Common Mistakes

• Banning the wrong user: Double-check the username and tag before confirming, especially if there are similar names.
• Deleting too many messages: If you choose “Previous 7 days,” you’ll permanently delete messages from that user, which might remove important context. Use this carefully.
• Not having permission: If you don’t see the Ban option, you likely lack the “Ban Members” permission. Ask a server admin to grant it.
• Unbanning the wrong ID: When using the User ID method, a typo can unban a different person. Always copy the ID accurately.

Tips

• Use the audit log: After banning, check the server’s Audit Log to confirm the action and see who did it.
• Ban by ID: If a user isn’t in the server but you know their ID, you can ban them by going to Server Settings > Bans > “Ban User” and entering their ID.
• Set up roles: To prevent accidental bans, give trusted moderators a role with “Ban Members” permission and keep it limited.
• Communicate rules: Make sure your server rules state what leads to a ban, so users know the consequences.

Troubleshooting

• Ban option is grayed out: This means you lack permission. Check your role permissions or ask an admin.
• User not in the member list: The user might already be banned, or they might have left. Go to Server Settings > Bans to see if they’re already banned.
• Can’t find the user in the ban list: Use the search bar in the Bans page. If you know their ID, you can use that to search.
• Unban button not working: Refresh the page or restart the app. If the issue persists, try on a different device.
• User is banned but still appears in the member list: This can happen if the user is in voice chat. They should be removed automatically, but a server refresh may help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a banned user rejoin the server?

No, unless they are unbanned. They cannot join with an old invite or a new one while the ban is active.

How do I find a user’s ID for banning/unbanning?

Enable Developer Mode in Discord settings (User Settings > Advanced > Developer Mode), then right-click the user’s name and select “Copy ID.”

What happens to a banned user’s messages?

They remain unless you choose to delete them during the ban process. You can select a time range to delete messages from the last hour, 6 hours, 24 hours, or 7 days.

Can I ban someone who is not in my server?

Yes, if you have their User ID. Go to Server Settings > Bans > “Ban User” and enter the ID. This prevents them from joining even if they have an invite.

How do I unban someone if I don’t remember their exact username?

Check the ban list for a list of all banned users. You can also search by User ID if you have it.

Does unbanning send a notification to the user?

No, Discord does not notify users when they are unbanned. They will only know if they try to join the server again.

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