---
title: "How to Add Blocked Numbers: Complete Step-by-Step Guide"
description: "Adding numbers to your blocked list is simple. This guide covers each step, from opening the form to saving your entries. ## Step-by-Step Instructions ### Step 1: Open the Add Form 1. **Log In**: Sign in to your SMS Gateway…"
url: "https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/how-to-add-blocked-numbers-complete-step-by-step-guide/"
updated: "2025-11-27"
category: Bulk SMS / Blocked Numbers
---

# How to Add Blocked Numbers: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Adding numbers to your blocked list is simple. This guide covers each step, from opening the form to saving your entries.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### Step 1: Open the Add Form

1. **Log In**: Sign in to your SMS Gateway Center account
2. **Navigate**: Go to **Blocked Numbers** in your dashboard menu
3. **Click Add**: Click the **"Add"** button (usually at the top-right)
4. **Form Opens**: A popup form appears

### Step 2: Select Products to Block

1. **Find Product Selection**: You'll see checkboxes for your available products:

- **SMS**: Block SMS messages
- **WhatsApp**: Block WhatsApp messages
- **Voice**: Block voice calls

1. **Select Products**:

- **Single Product**: Check one box (e.g., only SMS)
- **Multiple Products**: Check multiple boxes (e.g., SMS and WhatsApp)
- **All Products**: Check all boxes to block across all channels

1. **Important**: You must select at least one product.

**Examples**:

**Example 1 - Block SMS Only**:

- ✅ Check "SMS"
- ❌ Leave "WhatsApp" and "Voice" unchecked
- Result: Number receives WhatsApp and Voice, but not SMS

**Example 2 - Block SMS and WhatsApp**:

- ✅ Check "SMS"
- ✅ Check "WhatsApp"
- ❌ Leave "Voice" unchecked
- Result: Number receives Voice calls, but not SMS or WhatsApp

**Example 3 - Block All Products**:

- ✅ Check "SMS"
- ✅ Check "WhatsApp"
- ✅ Check "Voice"
- Result: Number is blocked from all messaging channels

### Step 3: Enter Mobile Number

1. **Find Mobile Number Field**: Locate the text area labeled "Mobile Number"
2. **Enter Number Format**:

- Use international format: `+919876543210`
- Include country code (e.g., +91 for India)
- No spaces, dashes, or special characters

1. **Correct Formats**:

- ✅ `+919876543210` (India)
- ✅ `+12025551234` (USA)
- ✅ `+442071234567` (UK)

1. **Incorrect Formats**:

- ❌ `9876543210` (missing country code)
- ❌ `+91-98765-43210` (contains dashes)
- ❌ `91 98765 43210` (contains spaces)

### Step 4: Add Multiple Numbers

You can add multiple numbers at once:

**Method 1 - Comma Separated**:

```
+919876543210,+919876543211,+919876543212
```

**Method 2 - Line Separated** (one per line):

```
+919876543210
+919876543211
+919876543212
```

**Method 3 - Mixed**:

```
+919876543210,+919876543211
+919876543212
+919876543213
```

**Tips**:

- Copy-paste from Excel or text files
- Maximum recommended: 100 numbers per batch
- All numbers use the same product selection

### Step 5: Set Status

1. **Find Status Dropdown**: Locate the "Status" dropdown
2. **Select Status**:

- **Active**: Blocking is enabled immediately
- **Inactive**: Number is added but blocking is disabled (you can enable later)

1. **Recommendation**: Choose "Active" unless you have a specific reason to delay.

### Step 6: Review and Save

1. **Double-Check**:

- ✅ Product selection is correct
- ✅ Mobile number(s) are in correct format
- ✅ Status is set appropriately

1. **Click Save**: Click the **"Save Changes"** button
2. **Success**: You'll see a success message and the number(s) appear in your blocked list.

## Real-World Examples

### Example 1: Blocking a Single Invalid Number

**Situation**: You notice `+919876543210` consistently fails delivery.

**Steps**:

1. Click "Add"
2. Check "SMS" (or all products)
3. Enter: `+919876543210`
4. Select Status: "Active"
5. Click "Save Changes"

**Result**: This number will no longer receive SMS messages (or selected products).

### Example 2: Bulk Blocking Invalid Numbers

**Situation**: You have 20 numbers that failed delivery.

**Steps**:

1. Click "Add"
2. Check "SMS" and "WhatsApp"
3. Enter all 20 numbers (comma or line-separated):

```
   +919876543210,+919876543211,+919876543212,+919876543213,+919876543214
   +919876543215,+919876543216,+919876543217,+919876543218,+919876543219
   +919876543220,+919876543221,+919876543222,+919876543223,+919876543224
   +919876543225,+919876543226,+919876543227,+919876543228,+919876543229
```

1. Select Status: "Active"
2. Click "Save Changes"

**Result**: All 20 numbers are blocked for SMS and WhatsApp.

### Example 3: User Requested Opt-Out

**Situation**: User `+919876543210` requested to stop receiving all messages.

**Steps**:

1. Click "Add"
2. Check all products: "SMS", "WhatsApp", "Voice"
3. Enter: `+919876543210`
4. Select Status: "Active"
5. Click "Save Changes"

**Result**: User will not receive any messages from your account.

## Common Scenarios

### Scenario 1: Blocking for Specific Product Only

**Question**: I want to block SMS but still send WhatsApp messages.

**Answer**:

- Check only "SMS" in product selection
- Leave "WhatsApp" unchecked
- The number will receive WhatsApp but not SMS

### Scenario 2: Adding Numbers from Excel

**Question**: How do I add numbers from an Excel file?

**Answer**:

1. Copy numbers from Excel column
2. Paste into the mobile number field
3. Ensure each number is on a new line or separated by commas
4. Verify all numbers include country code (+)

### Scenario 3: Temporary Blocking

**Question**: Can I add a number but not block it immediately?

**Answer**:

- Yes, select Status: "Inactive"
- Number is added to your list but blocking is disabled
- You can enable it later by editing the entry

## Validation and Errors

### Common Errors

**Error: "Please select at least one product"**

- **Cause**: No product checkbox is selected
- **Solution**: Check at least one product (SMS, WhatsApp, or Voice)

**Error: "Please enter valid mobile number"**

- **Cause**: Mobile number field is empty or invalid format
- **Solution**: Enter number(s) in international format (+country code)

**Error: Invalid number format**

- **Cause**: Number missing country code or contains invalid characters
- **Solution**: Ensure number starts with + and includes country code

### What Happens After Adding

1. **Immediate Effect**: If status is "Active", blocking starts immediately
2. **Campaign Protection**: All future campaigns check against blocked list
3. **Credit Protection**: No credits deducted for blocked messages
4. **List Update**: Number appears in your blocked numbers list

## Best Practices

### 1. Number Format

- Always use international format (+country code)
- Remove spaces, dashes, and special characters
- Validate numbers before adding

### 2. Product Selection

- Block only necessary products
- Use "All Products" for complete opt-outs
- Consider user preferences when blocking

### 3. Bulk Adding

- Test with a few numbers first
- Validate formats before bulk adding
- Keep batches under 100 numbers

### 4. Regular Maintenance

- Review your blocked list regularly
- Remove outdated entries
- Update product selections as needed

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: Number Not Blocking After Addition

**Possible Causes**:

- Status is set to "Inactive"
- Wrong product selected
- Number format issue

**Solutions**:

1. Check status in blocked numbers list
2. Verify product selections match your campaign
3. Ensure number format is correct

### Issue: Can't Add Multiple Numbers

**Possible Causes**:

- Format issues in the list
- Special characters present
- Exceeding batch limit

**Solutions**:

1. Validate each number format
2. Remove special characters
3. Split into smaller batches

### More Related Articles

- [What is the Blocked Numbers Feature?](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/what-is-the-blocked-numbers-feature/)
- [How to Update Blocked Numbers: Complete Editing Guide](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/how-to-update-blocked-numbers-complete-editing-guide/)
- [How to Search and Filter Blocked Numbers: Complete Guide](https://www.smsgatewaycenter.com/blog/kb/how-to-search-and-filter-blocked-numbers-complete-guide/)

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