To unblock a phone number on a landline, the fastest method is to dial a star code directly from your phone. The most common code to unblock a phone number on a landline is *60, which lets you remove a specific number from your Selective Call Rejection list.
How to unblock a phone number on a landline using star codes
Star codes are the quickest, most universal method for managing call blocking because they work on almost any landline without needing to navigate a phone menu. To unblock a specific number that was added to a Selective Call Rejection or Call Blocking list, follow these steps:
- Dial *60 on your landline phone.
- Press *.
- Dial the 10-digit phone number you wish to remove.
- Press * again to confirm the removal.
If you want to turn off the entire Call Blocking or Selective Call Rejection feature, dial *80. This disables the feature completely, allowing all calls to ring through again.
If your own outgoing Caller ID is permanently blocked and you need to show your number for a single call, dial *82 before the recipient's number. This temporarily unblocks your Caller ID for that one call only.
How to unblock a number through your phone's on-screen menu
For digital landline phones with a screen, you can unblock a number by navigating the phone's menu system. This method is useful when you prefer a visual interface or if star codes are not working. The general process involves:
- Access the phone's settings or menu button.
- Navigate to the call settings or call management section.
- Find the block list, blacklist, or Selective Call Rejection list.
- Select the number you want to remove and choose the delete or unblock option.
- Confirm your selection.
Note that phone menus vary significantly by manufacturer and model, so you may need to consult your phone's manual for exact steps. Some phones may require a PIN or passcode to make changes.
When to contact your landline service provider
If star codes and your phone's on-screen menu fail to unblock a number, your next step is to contact your landline service provider. This is especially important if a carrier-level spam filter is blocking the call. For example, Spectrum Voice Call Guard is an automated spam-blocking service that may block numbers without you adding them manually. To fix this, you might need to log into your online account to adjust the spam filter level or add the number to an "Allowed Numbers" list. When you call, clearly explain the blocked number and request remote unblocking assistance. The provider can make changes on their end that your phone cannot override. Before calling, check if the number is blocked by performing a Manual Check of your block list, making a Test Call to the number, using Check Caller ID to verify the number, consulting Household Members who may have blocked it, or reviewing your recent Call Logs for blocked call indicators.
What to do if you can't unblock a number
Sometimes unblocking fails because of built-in limits. Call blocking features like *60 often have a maximum number of entries you can block, for example, AT&T limits you to 10 entries, while some Astound Broadband regions allow up to 100. If your list is full, you must delete another entry before adding a new one. Also, standard landline call blocking features typically cannot block long-distance numbers, 800 numbers, 911 calls, or some mobile and business phone numbers. If the number you want to unblock is in one of these categories, it was never actually blocked by your phone's feature. Finally, if you are trying to unblock your own outgoing Caller ID rather than an incoming number, remember that *82 temporarily unblocks it for a single call, while a permanent change requires contacting your provider. As an alternative solution, consider call-blocking devices that offer more flexible management with features like Custom Call-Blocking Lists, Call Screening Options, Spam Call Identification, Whitelisting Trusted Numbers, and Robocall Prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unblock one number while keeping others blocked?
Yes. Using *60, you can remove a specific number from your Selective Call Rejection list without affecting any other blocked numbers. The other numbers remain blocked until you remove them individually.
Will unblocking a phone number on my landline incur any charges?
Unblocking a number typically does not incur additional charges. However, you should review your service agreement or contact your provider to confirm if any fees apply to this feature.
What should I do if the star code doesn't work?
First, ensure you are dialing the correct code and following the exact sequence. If *60 still does not work, try using your phone's on-screen menu or contact your service provider, as the feature may need to be activated on your account.
Is there a difference between blocking calls and numbers and blocking my own Caller ID?
Yes. blocking calls and numbers refers to preventing specific callers from reaching your phone, which you manage with *60 and *80. Blocking your own outgoing Caller ID hides your number when you call someone else, and you manage that with *82 to temporarily unblock it.
How do I know if a number was blocked by my phone or by my carrier?
If you added the number manually using *60 or your phone's menu, it is blocked by your phone. If you never added the number but calls still do not come through, a carrier-level spam filter like Spectrum Call Guard may be blocking it. Check your online account or contact your provider to adjust the filter.
Is there a limit to the number of phone numbers I can unblock on my landline?
The number of phone numbers you can unblock is directly tied to your service's block list capacity. Providers set different limits, such as AT&T's 10 entries or Astound Broadband's 100 entries in some regions. You can unblock any number currently on that list, but you cannot exceed the maximum allowed entries.
