How to block a YouTube channel: YouTube does not have one single “block channel” button for viewers, so the closest option is Don’t recommend channel. On Home or Watch Next, click or tap the three dots (More) next to a video from that channel and select Don’t recommend channel. This tells YouTube to stop suggesting that creator to you. If someone is bothering you on your own channel, use Hide user from channel instead, and for children use the blocking tools in YouTube Kids. This guide explains each method on computer, Android, iPhone and TV, what each one really does, and what to try when a channel keeps coming back.
Last updated: October 2026. YouTube changes menu names from time to time. If a label looks different on your device, check the official YouTube Help page on managing your recommendations and search results.
Quick Answer: How Do You Block a YouTube Channel?
- Open YouTube and sign in to your account.
- Find a video from the channel on Home, Watch Next or in the Shorts feed.
- Click or tap the three dots (More) beside the video title.
- Select Don’t recommend channel.
YouTube will then try to stop showing that channel in your recommendations. The channel itself is not deleted, and you may still see it if you search for it by name or open a direct link.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Is there a real block button? Not for viewers. YouTube offers recommendation controls, not a full site-wide block.
- Best option for your feed: Don’t recommend channel.
- Best option for one unwanted video: Not interested.
- Best option for harassment on your channel: Hide user from channel (comments and live chat).
- Best option for kids: Block the video or channel inside YouTube Kids, or use supervised settings.
- Does the creator know? YouTube does not tell a channel that you chose Don’t recommend channel.
- Does it work in search? Not reliably. The setting mainly affects recommendations.
Can You Really Block a YouTube Channel?
Many people search for how to block a YouTube channel expecting the same button they see on social apps. YouTube works differently. The platform gives you several tools, and each one solves a different problem. Pick the one that matches your goal.
| Your goal | Best tool | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Stop seeing a creator in your feed | Don’t recommend channel | Reduces that channel in Home and Watch Next recommendations |
| Remove one video you dislike | Not interested | Tells YouTube to show fewer videos like that one |
| Stop a user commenting on your channel | Hide user from channel | Hides that person’s comments and live chat messages on your channel |
| Protect a child | YouTube Kids block, supervised experience | Blocks chosen videos or channels in the kids profile |
| Filter mature content generally | Restricted Mode | Hides potentially mature videos, not one specific channel |
| Report rule-breaking content | Report | Flags the video or channel to YouTube for review |
Method 1: Use “Don’t Recommend Channel”
This is the method most people want. It is the closest thing to blocking a channel in your own feed.
How to block a YouTube channel on a computer
- Go to youtube.com and sign in.
- On the Home page or in the Watch Next list, find a video from the channel.
- Click the three dots next to the video title.
- Select Don’t recommend channel.
How to block a YouTube channel on Android or iPhone
- Open the YouTube app and find a video from the channel.
- Tap the three dots (More) next to the video title.
- Tap Don’t recommend channel.
The steps are the same on Android and iPhone. If you do not see the option under a video, try it from the Home feed instead, because the choices can differ by video type and app version.
How to block a YouTube channel on a smart TV
On many TV apps, highlight a recommended video and press and hold the select button on your remote. Choose Not interested, then Tell us why, and select Don’t recommend channel if it is offered. This option is not available on every device or app version.
What Don’t recommend channel actually does
- It tunes your recommendations. It does not delete the channel or hide it from the whole platform.
- The channel can still appear in search results or if you open a direct link.
- YouTube does not notify the creator.
- It may take a little time before the change shows in your feed, and Shorts may need the action repeated.
Method 2: Use “Not Interested” for One Video
If you only dislike one upload or one topic, you do not need to block the whole channel. Tap or click the three dots, then choose Not interested. You can also tell YouTube why. Use Not interested for one video or topic, and use Don’t recommend channel when the creator is the problem.
Method 3: Hide a User From Your Own Channel
If you own a channel and someone keeps leaving spam or abusive comments, you can stop that person’s activity from showing on your channel.
- Open one of your videos and find the person’s comment.
- Click or tap the three dots next to the comment.
- Select Hide user from channel.
Hidden users can no longer post visible comments or live chat messages on your channel. You can review or remove hidden users in the community settings inside YouTube Studio. If the behavior breaks YouTube’s rules, also use Report. Reporting does not guarantee removal, but it sends the content for review.
Method 4: Block a Channel on YouTube Kids
If your child uses YouTube Kids, you can stop specific content from showing in that child’s profile.
- Open YouTube Kids and find a video from the channel.
- Tap the three dots (More) on the video.
- Tap Block.
- Choose to block the video or the whole channel when YouTube gives you the option, then confirm as a parent.
Labels can vary by app version, so check the YouTube Kids Help Center if your screen looks different. For older children on regular YouTube, Google Family Link lets parents set up supervision and content controls.
Method 5: Turn On Restricted Mode
Restricted Mode is not a channel blocker, but it helps filter potentially mature content across YouTube. On a computer, click your profile picture and open Restricted Mode. In the app, go to Settings > General and look for the Restricted Mode toggle. No filter is perfect, so combine it with the channel-level tools above. For more controls, read our guide to YouTube settings.
Why Does a Blocked YouTube Channel Still Show Up?
- You are looking at search results. Don’t recommend channel is built for recommendations, not search.
- You used Not interested instead. That only affects one video or topic.
- The signal is still updating. Give it some time and repeat the action if needed, especially on Shorts.
- You are signed out. Recommendation choices are linked to your account, so they do not follow you when you watch logged out.
- You use more than one account or device. Repeat the step on each profile you use.
- The option is missing on that video. Try again from the Home feed or the channel’s own page.
If the app seems to behave strangely, you can clear the app cache on Android or follow our tech troubleshooting guide.
Can You Undo “Don’t Recommend Channel”?
Right after you choose it, YouTube usually shows a short message that lets you undo the action. After that, YouTube does not currently show a simple list of channels you have chosen this for, so there is no obvious toggle to turn it off. Watching videos from the channel again, subscribing or searching for it can help the channel return over time, but results are not guaranteed. Check YouTube Help for the latest options. You can also review what YouTube remembers about you in your watch and search history, as explained in our guide to how to delete browsing history.
Block vs Unsubscribe vs Report: What Is the Difference?
- Unsubscribe: removes the channel from your subscriptions, but YouTube may still recommend it.
- Don’t recommend channel: asks YouTube to stop suggesting the channel.
- Hide user from channel: controls who can interact on your own channel.
- Report: flags content that may break the rules.
Protect Your Own YouTube Experience
- Review privacy for likes and subscriptions in our YouTube settings guide.
- Check your wider privacy with our account privacy settings checklist.
- Use a strong password and 2-Step Verification. See how to create a strong password.
- Running your own channel? Learn how to create a YouTube channel or how to delete a YouTube channel if you want a clean start.
For more step-by-step help, browse our technology tutorials. The YouTube Help Center is the best place to confirm current menu names.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blocking a YouTube Channel
How do I block a YouTube channel?
Click or tap the three dots next to a video from that channel and select Don’t recommend channel. YouTube will try to stop recommending that channel to you.
Can you block a channel on YouTube completely?
Not as a viewer. YouTube does not offer a full block that removes a channel from search and direct links. Don’t recommend channel only controls your recommendations.
How do I block a YouTube channel on my phone?
Open the YouTube app, tap the three dots next to a video from the channel and tap Don’t recommend channel.
How do I block a YouTube channel on a computer?
Go to YouTube, click the three dots beside a recommended video from the channel and select Don’t recommend channel.
How do I stop a channel from appearing in my recommendations?
Use Don’t recommend channel for the creator, or Not interested for a single video. Repeat on each device or profile you use.
What does Don’t recommend channel do?
It tells YouTube you do not want that channel suggested in places like Home and Watch Next. It does not delete the channel or stop you from finding it by search.
Will the creator know if I block their channel?
No. YouTube does not notify a channel when you choose Don’t recommend channel.
How do I block someone from commenting on my YouTube channel?
Click the three dots next to their comment and choose Hide user from channel. Their comments and live chat messages will no longer show on your channel.
How do I block a YouTube channel on YouTube Kids?
Tap the three dots on a video in YouTube Kids, tap Block, and choose to block the video or the channel if the option appears. Parents may need to confirm.
How do I unblock a YouTube channel?
Use the undo message if it appears right after you block. Otherwise YouTube does not show a list of channels you used Don’t recommend on, so check YouTube Help for the current method.
Why does a channel I blocked still appear?
You may be seeing it in search results, on another account or device, or the setting may still be updating. Try the action again from the Home feed.
Is blocking the same as unsubscribing?
No. Unsubscribing removes the channel from your subscriptions, while blocking recommendations asks YouTube to stop suggesting it.
Can I block a channel on a smart TV?
On many TV apps you can hold the select button on a recommended video, choose Not interested, then Tell us why, then Don’t recommend channel. It is not available on every device.
Does Restricted Mode block a channel?
No. Restricted Mode filters potentially mature content in general, not one specific channel.
Should I report a channel instead of blocking it?
Report a channel if you think it breaks YouTube’s rules, such as harassment or spam. Block or hide it if you just do not want to see it.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to block a YouTube channel comes down to picking the right tool. Use Don’t recommend channel to clean up your feed, Not interested for single videos, Hide user from channel to protect your own community, and YouTube Kids controls for children. None of these removes a channel from YouTube, but together they give you strong control over what you see.
Tip: Use the three-dot menu on the Home feed rather than inside search results. It is where Don’t recommend channel appears most reliably.
