Wikipedia:Guide to appealing blocks

This is an explanatory essay about the appealing a block guideline page. This page provides additional information about concepts in the page(s) it supplements. This page is not one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community.

Shortcuts WP:GAB WP:GAPB

Occasionally, a user will edit Wikipedia using the same IP address as another user who then becomes blocked. As a result, the first user will be shown a block message describing the other user's activity. If you receive a block notice about actions that you were not involved with, don't worry; stay calm. Simply ask for assistance as described below, and the matter will be investigated.

This page in a nutshell: Understand in full the reasons of your block before requesting an unblock. Put all the relevant information in the unblock request, and only that. Keep your mind calm and assume good faith on the part of our experienced administrators. If your appeal is rejected, do not make a new one until you thoroughly understand the reasons.

This is a guide to making unblock requests. Users may be blocked from editing by Wikipedia administrators to prevent damage or disruption to Wikipedia. Blocks are lifted if they are not (or no longer) necessary to prevent such damage or disruption.

You, as a blocked editor, are responsible for convincing administrators:

• that the block is no longer necessary because you understand what you are blocked for, you will not do it again, and you will make productive contributions instead; or:
• that the block was not necessary to prevent damage or disruption (i.e., that the block violates our blocking policy); or:
• that your conduct (under any account or IP address) is not connected in any way with the block (this can happen if a block is aimed at resolving a separate situation and you are unintentionally blocked as a result because you use the same IP range).

It also helps to clearly state your reasons for requesting an unblock because:

• If the background or reason isn't clear, your request may be declined out of hand.
• In complicated situations, the reviewing administrator may not read your whole talk page and all of your contributions. Relevant information not in your unblock request may be overlooked.
• If you make repeated invalid or offensive unblock requests, your talk page access may be revoked which makes it even more difficult to request unblocking.

To make an unblock request, copy the following text to the bottom of your user talk page: {{unblock|1=Insert your reason to be unblocked here ~~~~}}. Don't forget to insert your own reason to replace "Insert your reason to be unblocked here". Its composition will be discussed below. If you find that you cannot edit your talk page, fill out the form at the Unblock Ticket Request System.

More technical and procedural guidance can be found at Wikipedia:Appealing a block.