The simplest ways to block calls on a landline

Most landline phones have a built-in call block feature you can use right now, at no cost. The exact steps depend on whether your phone is a basic model or a newer digital phone connected to your internet service. You do not need to pay your phone company or buy special equipment — the blocking happens on the phone itself or through your service provider's free tools.

The fastest method is to use your phone's handset buttons to block a number when ready after an unwanted call comes in. If your phone has a display screen, you can usually press a button labeled "Block" or "Reject" while the call is ringing or right after it ends. If your phone is older and has no screen, you can still block numbers through your phone company's free service by dialing a code from your landline.

A second option is to set up call screening through your phone company's website or phone system, which lets you review calls before they ring through to your handset. This takes a few minutes to set up once, then works automatically in the background.

Key Takeaways

  • Most landline phones have a free block button on the handset itself — press it during or right after an unwanted call to block that number permanently.
  • If your phone has no screen, you can dial *60 from your landline to block the last caller, or *61 to block calls from a specific number you enter.
  • Your phone company offers free call screening that sends unwanted calls to a separate list so they do not ring your phone.
  • Do not block your own number or numbers you might need later, because unblocking takes extra steps.

Blocking a number using your phone's handset

If your landline phone has a display screen and buttons, look for a button labeled "Block," "Reject," "Delete," or a symbol that looks like a circle with a line through it. When an unwanted call comes in and the number appears on your screen, press that button. The phone will ask you to confirm — usually by pressing "Yes" or "OK." After you confirm, that number is blocked and will not ring through again.

If the call has already ended and you did not block it in time, pick up the handset and look at the call history or recent calls list on your screen. Find the unwanted number, highlight it, and press the block button. The steps vary slightly by phone model, but the principle is the same: select the number, then press block.

Once a number is blocked, calls from that number will either go straight to voicemail or be silently rejected — your phone will not ring. If you ever need to unblock the number, go back into your phone's settings or call history, find the blocked number, and select "Unblock" or "Remove from blocked list."

Blocking calls using phone codes if your phone has no screen

Older landline phones without a display screen can still block numbers using codes you dial from your phone. These codes work through your phone company's system and are free to use. The most common codes are *60 (to block the last caller) and *61 (to block a specific number you choose).

To block the last person who called, pick up your handset and dial *60. Your phone company's system will ask you to confirm that you want to block that number — usually by pressing 1 for yes. Once confirmed, any future calls from that number will not ring through.

To block a specific number you already know, dial *61 from your landline. The system will prompt you to enter the phone number you want to block, digit by digit. After you enter the full number, press the pound sign (#) or follow the voice prompt to confirm. That number is now blocked.

If you want to unblock a number later, dial *80 and follow the prompts to remove it from your blocked list. Keep in mind that these codes work only when you dial them from your own landline — you cannot use them from another phone.

Using your phone company's call screening service

Most phone companies offer a free call screening tool through their website or phone system. This service does not block calls outright — instead, it sends suspected unwanted calls to a separate list so they do not ring your phone. You can review the list later and decide which numbers to block permanently.

To set this up, log into your phone company's online account or call their customer service number (usually on your bill). Look for options labeled "Call Screening," "Call Filter," "Nomorobo," or "Scam Block." Each company names this feature differently. Once you turn it on, the system automatically screens incoming calls against a database of known spam and scam numbers. Calls that match are sent to voicemail or a separate folder instead of ringing your phone.

You can usually adjust how aggressive the screening is — some settings block only confirmed scams, while others block suspected telemarketing calls too. Check your phone company's website to see what level of screening is available at no cost, since some companies charge for their most aggressive filtering options.

What to do if blocking does not stop the calls

If you block a number and calls keep coming from similar numbers, you are likely dealing with a spoofed number — a scammer using a fake caller ID. Blocking one number will not stop them because they change the number each time they call. In this case, blocking individual numbers is less effective than using your phone company's call screening service, which catches patterns rather than individual numbers.

If the calls are from a real business or organization that keeps calling despite your block, you may need to contact them directly and ask to be removed from their calling list. Many legitimate companies will honor a request to stop calling if you tell them clearly. Ask for the company's name and a callback number so you can verify it is real before you call back.

If the calls are threatening, harassing, or from someone you have a legal order against, contact your local police department and your phone company's abuse team. Most phone companies have a process for reporting harassment and can sometimes trace the source or work with law enforcement.

Blocking calls on internet-based landlines

If your landline is connected through your internet service (sometimes called VoIP or digital phone service), the blocking process is slightly different. Instead of using codes or handset buttons, you usually manage blocked numbers through your service provider's website or app.

Log into your account on your phone company's website and look for a section called "Call Management," "Blocked Calls," "Call Blocking," or "Do Not Disturb." From there, you can add numbers to a blocked list, review calls that were blocked, and adjust your screening settings. Most internet-based landlines let you block numbers this way at no cost.

Some internet phone services also let you set up a "whitelist" — a list of numbers you do want to ring through — so that only calls from those numbers reach your phone. This is useful if you want to block almost everything except calls from family or close friends. Check your service provider's website to see if this option is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block calls from a number I do not recognize?

Yes. If you see a number on your screen that you do not recognize and do not want to answer, you can block it when ready using your phone's block button or by dialing *60 after the call ends. You do not need to know who the caller is to block the number.

What happens when I block a number on my landline?

When you block a number, calls from that number will not ring your phone. Depending on your phone company, the call either goes straight to voicemail, is silently rejected, or appears in a separate blocked calls list. The caller usually hears a message saying the number is not accepting calls.

Can I block calls from a specific area code?

Most basic landline phones cannot block an entire area code at once. However, your phone company's call screening service may have an option to block calls from certain area codes or regions. Check your service provider's website or call their customer service to ask what area-code blocking options are available.

If I block a number, can the person still leave me a voicemail?

This depends on your phone company and how your blocking is set up. Some systems send blocked calls directly to voicemail, so the caller can leave a message. Others reject the call entirely and the caller cannot leave a message. Check your phone company's documentation or call them to find out how your specific service handles voicemail from blocked numbers.

How do I unblock a number if I blocked it by mistake?

On a phone with a screen, go to your blocked calls list in the settings or call history, find the number, and select "Unblock." If you used a code like *60, dial *80 to access your unblock menu and follow the prompts. If you blocked it through your phone company's website, log in and remove the number from your blocked list there.