 | This page documents an English Wikipediabehavioral guideline. Editors should generally follow it, thoughexceptions may apply.Substantive edits to this page should reflectconsensus. When in doubt, discuss first onthis guideline's talk page. |
 | Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from anIP range, and not just from a given user. They donot 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 furtherdisruption. 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 routinelyblock accounts, IPs and IP ranges to reduce or preventvandalism and other inappropriate behavior. This page explains to blocked users why they may have been blocked, as well as how to request an unblock.
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 otherindependent 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.
| Please read this section first. It may contain the answer to your question. |
{{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} onyour talk page, which access to is only blocked if abused. If you cannot edit your talk page, you can appeal via theUnblock 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 blockdoes 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 ofpolicies 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 toprevent 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 ordisruption to stop.Anindefinite block doesnot 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 berequired 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 inappropriatefirst 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 ofpersonal attacks toward other editors, engaging in "outing", repeated instances ofvandalism oredit warring, repeated incidents where the user hasfailed to listen, and other matters). Wikipedia is anencyclopedia community; its ability to exist as well as continue to be a significantly relevant and highly referenced resource on the internet ismade 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 apolicy and afounding principle that members of the community must treat one another 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.The preferred way to appeal a block is to place{{unblock|reason=Your reason here ~~~~}} onyour talk page, which access to is only blocked if abused. If you cannot edit your talk page, you can appeal via theUnblock Ticket Request System.
To test if you are still blocked, clickhere which tries to edit theSandbox. 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, notpartial blocks. Users can check for partial blocks by viewing theircontributions page or by entering their name on theblock list.
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, anyuninvolved (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 avoidblocking and unblocking fights, which are a serious breach ofadministrator 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.
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 theArbitration Committee.
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:
If the appeal is of the first type, you should use theunblock template on your talk page or submit a request to theUnblock Ticket Request System (UTRS). If you are partially blocked from using certain Wikipedia functions, you can also submit an appeal onthe 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]
Appeals will usually take place on your user talk page; use theunblock template on your talk page to initiate this process:
In highly unusual cases, you may wish to utilize thedispute 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 byemail, except if:
A full 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, forpersonal attacks or toplay games andmake 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 astandard offer is still possible, or indefinitely in the most egregious instances.
Third party appeals of blocks are allowed, but generally discouraged. However, some exceptions are permitted for block reviews, such as atAdministrative action review. 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 todiscuss 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 acommunity ban.[3]