Ban or Unban a User on Discord: How-To

To ban or unban a user on Discord, you need to have the “Ban Members” permission on a server where you have administrative rights. You can ban a user by right-clicking their name, selecting “Ban,” and confirming; to unban, go to Server Settings > Bans, find the user, and click “Revoke Ban.” This guide covers the exact steps for desktop, web, and mobile, plus how to handle common issues like banning bots or users who have left the server.

Understanding Discord Permissions

Discord uses a permission system to control what each member can do. The “Ban Members” permission is required to ban or unban users. By default, this permission is granted to members with the “Administrator” permission, but server owners can customize roles. If you cannot ban someone, check your role’s permissions in Server Settings > Roles. Note that banning a user also removes them from the server immediately, and they cannot rejoin unless unbanned or invited by someone with the “Create Invite” permission.

How to Ban a User on Desktop and Web

On the Discord desktop app or web version (discord.com/app), follow these steps:

1. Open the server where the user is a member.
2. Find the user in the member list on the right side of the screen. If the list is hidden, click the “Show Member List” icon in the top-right corner.
3. Right-click on the user’s name.
4. Select “Ban” from the context menu.
5. A pop-up will appear asking for a reason (optional). Enter a reason if desired, then click “Ban User.”

If the user is not in the member list (e.g., they left before you could ban them), you can still ban them by using their User ID. To do this, enable Developer Mode in User Settings > Advanced, then right-click the user’s profile (or their message) and select “Copy ID.” Then go to Server Settings > Bans, click “Ban User,” paste the ID, and confirm.

How to Unban a User on Desktop and Web

To unban a user, you must have the “Ban Members” permission. Here’s how:

1. Open your server and go to Server Settings (click the server name in the top-left, then “Server Settings”).
2. In the left sidebar, select “Bans.”
3. You’ll see a list of banned users. Find the user you want to unban.
4. Click the “Revoke Ban” button next to their name.
5. Confirm the action. The user will be able to rejoin via a new invite.

If the user was banned by mistake, you can unban them immediately using the same method. Note that unbanning does not automatically re-add them to any roles they had before; they will join as a new member.

How to Ban or Unban on Mobile (iOS/Android)

The Discord mobile app has a slightly different interface. To ban a user:

1. Tap and hold on the user’s name in the member list or in a chat message.
2. Tap “Ban” from the menu that appears.
3. Confirm by tapping “Ban” again.

To unban on mobile:

1. Go to Server Settings (tap the server name at the top, then the gear icon).
2. Scroll down to “Bans” in the User Management section.
3. Tap the user’s name, then tap “Revoke Ban.”

Mobile apps have the same permission requirements as desktop.

Common Problems and Solutions

If you can’t ban a user, the most common reason is missing permissions. Double-check that your role has “Ban Members” enabled. Another issue: if the user is a server owner, you cannot ban them—only Discord support can handle that. If you’re trying to ban a bot, the same steps apply, but bots may have higher permissions; you need to ensure your role’s permission is higher than the bot’s role in the role hierarchy. If you accidentally ban the wrong user, unban them immediately using the steps above. If you banned a user and they keep creating new accounts to bypass the ban, you can enable the “Moderate Members” permission to use the “Timeout” feature instead, or consider enabling the “Verification Level” to require a verified email.

Ban vs. Kick vs. Timeout

Discord offers three moderation actions: Kick, Ban, and Timeout. A kick removes the user from the server, but they can rejoin with a new invite. A ban permanently (or temporarily) blocks them from joining, even with an invite, until unbanned. A timeout restricts a user from sending messages, reacting, or speaking in voice channels for a set duration, but they remain in the server. Use kicks for minor issues, timeouts for temporary cooling-off, and bans for serious or repeated violations.

Safety and Best Practices

When banning, consider documenting the reason in the ban prompt—this helps if you need to review later. Discord’s Terms of Service require that you have a legitimate reason to ban, such as rule violations. Avoid banning users based on personal disputes without clear evidence. For servers with many members, consider setting up a moderation bot to automate bans, but always review bot actions. If you unban a user, be aware they might have already created a new account; banning the old account won’t affect the new one. Always keep your server’s rules clear so users know what behavior leads to bans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ban a user who has left the server?

Yes, you can ban a user who has left by using their User ID. You need to have Developer Mode enabled to copy the ID from a previous message or from a mutual server’s member list. Then go to Server Settings > Bans, click “Ban User,” paste the ID, and confirm.

How do I temporarily ban someone on Discord?

Discord does not have a built-in temporary ban feature. You can ban the user and then unban them after a certain time, but you must do it manually. Alternatively, use the Timeout feature to restrict them for a specific duration (up to 28 days) without removing them from the server.

Why can’t I see the “Ban” option?

The “Ban” option appears only if you have the “Ban Members” permission. If you don’t see it, you likely lack that permission. Contact a server administrator to grant you the role or ask them to perform the ban.

What happens to a banned user’s messages?

When you ban a user, their messages remain in the server unless you delete them manually. Discord does not automatically delete messages from banned users. You can use moderation bots to purge messages from a specific user before banning.

Can a banned user rejoin if they have a new invite?

No, a banned user cannot rejoin via an invite unless the ban is revoked. They would need to be unbanned first. However, if they create a new account, they can join with that new account, so you may need to take additional steps like enabling phone verification.

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