What to do if a Facebook friend blocks you
Getting blocked by a friend on Facebook can be upsetting and confusing. Here are some quick tips on what to do if you’ve been blocked:
– Don’t take it personally – it may not be about you at all. They may just need some space.
– Give it some time before reaching out – try waiting a few weeks before attempting contact.
– Reflect on your past interactions – did you say or do something that may have upset them? An apology may help.
– Ask a mutual friend to intervene – see if someone you both know can get insight on the situation.
– Move on – if it’s been a long time with no response, focus energy elsewhere and let it go.
The most important thing is not to bombard them with contact requests or messages. Take some time to give them space before attempting to rebuild the friendship.
How to know if you’re blocked on Facebook
There are a few clear signs that someone has blocked you on Facebook:
– You can no longer see their Facebook profile or any posts. Their profile picture and cover photo will be blank.
– Any comments you’ve made on their posts disappear.
– You are no longer friends on Facebook and cannot send a new friend request.
– Messages can no longer be sent and go undelivered.
– You don’t see any of their live videos.
– You are removed from any Facebook groups that you both were members of.
– Their messenger chat disappears from your sidebar.
So if you notice any of the above changes in how you interact with someone on Facebook, chances are you’ve been blocked. It’s an action meant to cut off contact, at least temporarily.
Should I reach out to a friend who blocked me?
If you find yourself blocked by someone you consider a friend, you may be tempted to reach out to find out why. Here are some pros and cons on whether or not to contact them:
| Pros of reaching out | Cons of reaching out |
| – Lets them know you want to work it out | – May be ignored if they don’t want contact |
| – Opens communication to understand the issue | – Contacting repeatedly can seem desperate/pushy |
| – Shows you value the friendship | – They may not be ready to reconcile |
| – Could lead to resolving the problem | – Might reinforce their decision to block you |
As you can see, reaching out has both benefits and risks. If you decide to attempt contact, keep a few things in mind:
– Be sincere and don’t obsessively reach out if you get no response.
– Briefly apologize if you said/did something hurtful.
– Ask if they are willing to unblock and talk things through.
– Suggest resolving the issue in a calm discussion.
– Accept it graciously if they decline and move on.
With the right approach, you may be able to get unblocked and restore the friendship. But be prepared for any outcome when you try to make contact.
How to unblock someone on Facebook
If you are the one who initiated a block on Facebook, here is how to unblock them:
1. Click on the arrow in the top right and select “Settings & Privacy”
2. Choose the “Blocking” option on the left side menu
3. You will see a list of all the people and pages you have blocked. Find the name of the person you want to unblock.
4. Hover over their name and click the “Unblock” button that appears.
5. Confirm that you want to unblock them when prompted.
That’s it! They should regain access to your profile and posts right away. The block will be lifted.
Keep in mind you can always re-block someone in the future if needed. But unblocking is a quick and easy way to reopen communication if you change your mind.
Unblocking on mobile
The steps to unblock on mobile are very similar:
1. Tap the three-line menu icon in the bottom right corner.
2. Scroll down and choose “Settings & Privacy” then “Blocking”
3. Tap the blue “Unblock” button next to their name.
4. Confirm you want to remove the block.
You’ve now successfully unblocked them on mobile!
What happens when you unblock someone on Facebook?
When you make the choice to unblock a user on Facebook, several changes happen:
– Their profile, posts, and other activity becomes visible to you again.
– Any comments you made on their content is restored.
– You are re-added as friends if you were previously connected.
– Messaging between you becomes available again.
– You both reappear in any shared Facebook groups.
– Their live videos can show up in your feed once more.
Essentially, unblocking undoes all the effects blocking had on your ability to connect with each other. It erases the block as if it never happened.
However, unblocking alone doesn’t notify the user or send a new friend request. You will need to reach out to let them know communication has been reopened if you want to reconnect.
Should I delete and add as a friend after unblocking?
Once you’ve decided to unblock someone on Facebook, is it necessary to also delete and re-add them as a friend? Here are some things to consider:
– If they blocked you first, they deleted the friendship, so you will need to send a new friend request.
– If you blocked them, you likely just need to unblock and don’t have to re-add as a friend.
– Deleting and re-adding won’t notify them – you need to actively reach out.
– Adding again can seem excessive if the block was temporary.
– It may be better to just unblock and message them to talk it out.
– But a new request can signal you want to start fresh if it was a major issue.
So assess the situation and your goals. If the block stemmed from a major fight or long period of tension in the friendship, going through the process of deleting, unblocking, and re-sending a friend request can represent a fresh start.
But for more minor issues, simply unblocking may be sufficient to open communication channels and pick up where you left off.
What to do if your unblock request is rejected
Unfortunately, when you unblock someone, they have the option to reject a new friend request or reblock you. If this happens, here are some productive ways to respond:
– Don’t take it personally or react angrily. They likely need more time or space.
– Ask any mutual friends for insight about why they rejected you.
– Consider writing a heartfelt letter/email to explain yourself.
– Make attempts to apologize or reconcile with them offline.
– Focus energy on other friendships for a while before trying again.
– Ultimately accept their decision if they remain unresponsive.
– Reframe the experience as a lesson for how to avoid future conflict.
– Let go and direct your attention to positive relationships in your life.
Getting reblocked or rejected after an unblock can be discouraging. But avoid escalating the situation further. With patience and grace, the friendship may be able to eventually heal. If not, disengaging may be healthiest for both of you.
Other Facebook blocking tips and insights
Here are some additional pointers on navigating blocking and unblocking on Facebook:
– You can block someone again after unblocking if needed.
– Pages can’t block you, only individual users can.
– Blocked friends won’t see you in their “People You May Know” suggestions.
– Unfriend rather than block if you want the person to still see your public posts and profile.
– If someone was bothering or harassing you, blocking may be better than unfriending.
– You can’t tell if you’ve been blocked by someone else unless you try to interact.
– Blocking is reversible – focus on healing and forgive.
– Blocking has no effect on Messenger-only friends who aren’t also Facebook friends.
– If needed, report former friends who are repeatedly harassing you after blocking.
With care and intention, blocking and unblocking can help you gain space from toxic relationships. Use these tools to cultivate a positive social media environment.
Conclusion
Getting blocked by a friend on Facebook can be an emotionally difficult experience. But there are constructive ways to respond that leave room for reconciliation. Avoid escalating the situation and instead offer sincere apologies if needed. If you end up blocked, give the person space and time before attempting to reach out. Focus on self-improvement and building other relationships first. If you ultimately unblock someone, do so from a place of forgiveness and maturity, not anger or desperation. While Facebook blocking cuts off connection, it doesn’t have to be permanent. With resilience and perspective, trust can be rebuilt over time.