 | This page documents an English Wikipedia behavioral guideline. Editors should generally follow it, though exceptions may apply. Substantive edits to this page should reflect consensus. When in doubt, discuss first on this guideline's talk page. |
 | Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from an IP range, and not just from a given user. They do not always mean that the blocked user has done anything wrong. See below for instructions if you are blocked and do not believe you have done anything wrong. We can help if this is the case. |
 | This page in a nutshell: A block is not a punishment, but a way to prevent further disruption. Blocked users should understand the reasons for the block, and convince administrators that they won't disrupt the project if they are unblocked. |
During day-to-day operations, Wikipedia administrators routinely block accounts and IP ranges to reduce or prevent vandalism and other inappropriate behavior. This page explains to blocked users why they may have been blocked, as well as how to request an unblock.
Why was I blocked?
- You may be an innocent victim of collateral damage, where you are accidentally affected by a block of some other user.
- Alternatively, your account or IP may have been blocked because it appears to have been responsible for (or connected to) a serious breach of Wikipedia's policies.
If your account was blocked by mistake, it will be reactivated very quickly, as soon as you let an administrator know of the problem. Otherwise, there is a rapid appeal process which obtains quick review by other independent administrators, and brief discussion of the matter. One aim of blocking in some cases is to ensure the user learns from the incident, and that the issues don't happen again.
Common questions
| Please read this section first. It may contain the answer to your question. |
{{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} on your talk page, which is only blocked if abused. If you cannot edit your talk page, you can appeal via the Unblock Ticket Request System.
One common requirement for unblocking is to be able to answer the question, "do you understand that what you did was inappropriate for this site, and can we have your assurance that you won't do it again?"
In the case where blocks are applied with with a very short duration, especially for good cause, the usual response that you will receive from an unblock request is that it is denied, and that you'll just need to wait until it expires before you can resume editing. Once the block does expire, you'll be able to continue editing Wikipedia as you could before, and you can consider the block to be in the past – just make sure that you learn from what you did wrong. Repeated instances of inappropriate behavior or violations of policies or guidelines (especially when a block has been recently placed because of the same behavior) will often result in a block being applied with a duration that is longer than the previous block, so it is important to learn from blocks when they occur. Keep in mind that blocks are not intended to be punitive; they are used to prevent further disruption, and to help misplaced or misguided users when words, notices, messages, and warnings don't seem sufficient and are not causing the issue or disruption to stop.This can be minutes, hours – or indeed the user may never do so.
An indefinite block does not mean that you are "blocked forever". It simply means the blocking administrator did not set a time limit or expiration for the block. In this case, the blocked user will usually be required to appeal their block and discuss the matter with an administrator before an unblock will be considered. An indefinite block could be applied because the user needs to confirm that things are okay and that nothing's wrong, or it could be due to a problem that needs attention, or a problem that is deemed to need the user to acknowledge that they understand that a behavior was inappropriate first before they will be unblocked.
Typical examples are where the account owner must be contacted (e.g. suspected "hacking" of their account), and users whose behavior was severely inappropriate (such as making threats or engaging in the repeated use of personal attacks toward other editors, engaging in "outing", repeated instances of vandalism or edit warring, repeated incidents where the user has failed to listen, and other matters). Wikipedia is an encyclopedia community; its ability to exist as well as continue to be a significantly relevant and highly referenced resource on the internet is made possible because of the collective hard work and the amount of time that each member of the community gives to Wikipedia for free. Because of the importance and the impact that the community has with Wikipedia's continued sustainability and relevance on the internet, it is both a policy and a founding principle that members of the community must treat one other with respect and civility. Inappropriate or unacceptable behavior (such as those listed in the examples above) is not tolerated. For other issues, a user may need to stop, learn our site norms, and confirm they will not repeat the behavior (or will edit in accordance with certain conditions), before an unblock can take place.- Note: If your IP address is blocked, you may need to create your account at home, on another computer, phone or tablet using a different connection, or (in rare cases) in another country. You can also request that an account be created for you.
- Note: Many rotating IP addresses of ISPs practising shared IP addresses are blocked as being "proxies" or "zombies" because of the large number of different users sharing the IP. On these computers, logged-in users will be automatically blocked immediately. If you encounter such a case, please follow the unblocking request steps or consult a CheckUser or administrator.
Requesting to be unblocked
The preferred way to appeal a block is to place {{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} on your talk page, which is only blocked if abused. If you cannot edit your talk page, you can appeal via the Unblock Ticket Request System.
To test if you are still blocked, click here which tries to edit the Sandbox. If you are allowed to edit the sandbox, your block has already expired or been lifted and nothing more needs doing. If the block is still active, you can resume editing when unblocked, or you can request a review of the block if you believe it is unfair or that you have put right whatever was the problem. Note that this only checks for sitewide blocks, not partial blocks. Users can check for partial blocks by viewing their contributions page or by entering their name on the block list.
- Useful links for helping blocked users: Message seen by blocked users: MediaWiki:Blockedtext (partial blocks: MediaWiki:Blockedtext-partial) Requests for unblocking: Category:Requests for unblock
What happens next
When you appeal, other editors – most of whom probably have no involvement in the matter – will review your editing history, which has been logged, as well as the reason for the block and the history leading up to it. Editors may leave comments on your talk page regarding your appeal.
Usually, if it's a clear cut case, any uninvolved (independent) administrator will make a decision. The blocking administrator may be consulted for their comments on your request (this is a common courtesy). The process can take hours or a few days; for major discussions sometimes it can take a week or more.
Administrators will carefully avoid blocking and unblocking fights, which are a serious breach of administrator policy. For this reason, blocks will not usually be allowed to become a source of conflict; rather, consensus will be sought, by means of a fair and objective examination of the matter and of any policies alleged to have been breached.
Routes to unblock
Blocks can be reversed with the agreement of the blocking admin, an override by other admins in the case that the block was clearly unjustifiable, or (in very rare cases) on appeal to the Arbitration Committee.
Types of appeal
In all cases, unblock requests should be submitted on your user talk page. Generally speaking, unblock requests will be one of the following two types:
- Requests for unblock in the event of a case of mistaken identity, misunderstanding, or other irregularity;
- Appeals for clemency, in which the appellant acknowledges the conduct that led to their block and requests a second chance.
If the appeal is of the first type, you should use the unblock template on your talk page or submit a request to the Unblock Ticket Request System (UTRS). If you are partially blocked from using certain Wikipedia functions, you can also submit an appeal on the administrator noticeboard. If the appeal is of the second type, you should use the unblock template on your talk page, and only use UTRS if you cannot edit your talk page.[1]
Direct appeal
Appeals will usually take place on your user talk page; use the unblock template on your talk page to initiate this process:
- If there is agreement that you may have been blocked unfairly, you may be directly unblocked (if the block was clearly and obviously a mistake), but this is very rare unless there genuinely were no prospective grounds for the block. Usually the blocking admin's judgement is respected if there is any question of doubt.
- You may be unblocked if the blocking admin changes their mind or can't be reached, and an unblock is considered reasonable.
- When you are unblocked, you may then follow the dispute resolution process if you believe that you were treated unfairly.
- If an unblocking needs discussion, reaching a consensus usually takes several days.
- After a discussion takes place, if there is consensus to unblock, the user is unblocked right away, although conditions may be imposed by the unblocking admin.
- If there is no consensus to unblock, or if there is consensus to keep the user blocked after "due consideration by the community"[2], and the user is blocked indefinitely, the user is considered community banned indefinitely, and must go through the ban appeals process to have it reversed.
Other methods of appeal
In highly unusual cases, you may wish to utilize the dispute resolution process while you are still blocked. To do so, you may contact other Wikipedians by e-mail, or by editing your talk page (which you can usually do even if blocked).
Users may not appeal blocks to the Arbitration Committee by email, except if:
- The block is an Oversight block or CheckUser block if there is disagreement amongst checkusers who have reviewed the block
- The reasons for the block or information related to your appeal is unsuitable for public discussion
- You have been blocked or banned by the Arbitration Committee or by an Arbitration Enforcement decision.
Abuse of the unblocking process
A usual block prevents users from editing all pages except their user talk page, in order to have a chance for appeal, and so that they are not shut out completely and are able to participate at least to some degree in Wikipedia, while the block is active.
Upon a request to seek arbitration, editing access may be restored to a limited number of other pages (such as those connected with their appeal) pending the formal decision, so that the matter (and any evidence, facts, mitigating circumstances, or corrections) can be presented as well.
A minority of editors who are blocked use these privileges poorly, for personal attacks or to play games and make a point. Inevitably the response to such actions is simple – editing access is blocked in its entirety and without further discussion, whereas if the user had been responsible and reasonable, an entirely different result might well have happened.
Wikipedia blocks are usually warnings only. Once they are over and learned from, they are in the past (unless repeated). Wikipedia and its administrators and arbitration committee have a real wish for everyone who is capable of acting responsibly to be able to enjoy editing.
Users who are blocked are asked to use this as a chance to reflect, an opportunity to show their understanding and ability to act responsibly, and a period of time to let the matter pass and be learned from.
Users who have lost the ability to request unblocking on their talk pages may then do so at UTRS. Unfortunately, they may continue to abuse the appeal process via that venue as well, and may be banned from UTRS, for six months if a Standard offer is still possible, or indefinitely in the most egregious instances.
Appeals by third party
Third party appeals of blocks are allowed, but generally discouraged. However, some exceptions are permitted for block reviews. An administrator may choose to refer their own block for review, particularly if it might be controversial. Any editor may request community review of blocks they believe are out-of-policy, though they should attempt to discuss their concerns with the blocking admin first. Such reviews are not considered block appeals, and if the review results in the block being endorsed it is not converted into a community ban.[3]
See also
Notes
- ^ For transparency, unblock requests and discussions should happen in user talk pages unless private information is involved. If you cannot edit your talk page, an administrator may restore your talk page access and direct the appeal to user talk page if appropriate.
- ^ Wikipedia:Banning policy
- ^ Guidance based on discussion at Wikipedia:Village pump (policy)/Archive 166 § RfC: Can editors request community review of the blocks of others?