How to Prevent a Member from Posting in MAX Channel Discussions

What changes after a posting ban

A posting ban restricts a member specifically within the MAX channel discussion. They will still be able to see posts and read available comments if they retain access to the channel, but they won't be able to send new messages. When you choose "Block user," the member may be removed from the discussion. The "Restrict sending messages" command usually keeps them in the chat but disables the input field or the ability to send. Before confirming, MAX shows exactly what will happen.

To perform this action, you need the rights of the channel owner or an administrator who is allowed to manage members or perform moderation. Rights to delete messages alone are not sufficient: with those, you can remove a comment but cannot prevent its author from posting again. If the profile menu doesn't show the "Block user" and "Restrict sending messages" commands, check your role in the "Administrators" section or hand the task over to the owner.

Don't confuse restricting a profile with deleting an individual comment. The "Delete message" command removes an already published text but doesn't change its author's permissions. After deletion, the member will be able to write a new comment unless sending is separately disabled for them.

How to check where the discussion is located

Open a post on the relevant channel and tap "Discussion" or the area with the comment count. If messages, member names, and the action menu open inside MAX, this is the channel's built-in discussion. The offender's profile should be searched for right in this chat.

If the comment button takes you to a separate group, another chat, or a browser page, you need to block the user on that platform. A ban in the MAX channel doesn't extend to an external chat. In that case, you'll need an administrator role for that specific group or site.

After navigating to the relevant discussion, find the member's message. To restrict them, you need not the comment text but the card of its author. You can open it from a phone or computer using the name, avatar, and message menu.

How to open a member's profile on phone and computer

On your phone, tap the author's name or avatar next to the message. If a regular tap only opens the text, long-press the message and select "Open profile." In the card that opens, tap "⋯". This menu should contain the actions for working with the member.

On a computer, click the username or right-click their message. Select "Open profile," then click "⋯" in the member's card. In the web version, the additional menu may open via the "⋯" button next to the message, after which you need to select the author's name.

If the profile doesn't open from the comment, find it through the member list: "Channel" → "Channel management" → "Members." In some interfaces, this section is called "Channel settings." Open the username, click "⋯," and go to the restriction command. This path is especially useful on a computer when the message menu contains only actions on the comment itself.

Look for one of two commands: "Block user" or "Restrict sending messages." Don't select "Delete message" if you need to prevent the member from posting in the future.

How to choose the command and confirm the ban

If you need to completely block the member's access to the discussion, select "Block user." If you want to keep them among the readers but prevent new comments, use "Restrict sending messages." In the confirmation window, check the description of the result: MAX may show whether the user will be removed from the discussion and for how long the restriction is imposed.

If the app offers a duration, choose a permanent restriction when that option is available. With a temporary ban, the member will be able to post again after the specified period ends. If no duration is displayed, MAX applies the action according to the selected command, and you can check the status in the user's card after confirming.

On a computer, the final step looks like this: after selecting "Block user" or "Restrict sending messages," click "Block," "Restrict," or "Confirm" in the warning window. Wait for the card to close or the member's status to change. If the menu doesn't have the required command, don't replace it with deleting the message: open "Channel" → "Channel management" → "Members" and check the profile there.

What to do if there is no block button

First, check your permissions. Open "Channel management" and go to "Administrators." Your role card should include permission to manage members or moderate, not just to delete posts and comments. If you can't change the permissions, only the channel owner can grant them.

If you don't have an "Administrators" section, ask the owner to perform the block themselves. Send them the link to the message, the username, and briefly describe the reason for the restriction. Don't appoint a new administrator unless necessary: that role grants access to other channel settings.

When you do have access to member management but the command doesn't appear in the profile, try the alternative path through "Members." Open the profile from there and click "⋯." If only the "Remove member" command is available there, keep in mind that it doesn't always mean a permanent block. In an open discussion, the user may return if they weren't blocked.

Also make sure you're working with the same channel and the account that has been granted permissions. For an external discussion, the commands should be looked for in the separate chat. If this is a built-in discussion but only message clearing is visible in both places, your current role is insufficient, or the owner has restricted access to member management.

How to verify the result

Open the member's card in the discussion again. After blocking, instead of the "Block user" command, "Unblock" may appear, the profile status may change, or the ability to send messages may disappear. For a sending restriction, check that the user no longer has an available input field or send button.

An individual comment published before the block may remain in the discussion. If it violates the rules, delete it separately with the "Delete message" command. This doesn't cancel the profile restriction and doesn't replace it.

If the result hasn't changed, re-check that the action was applied to the message author and not to another member. Then confirm with the channel owner that you have permission to manage members and ask them to check the user's status from their own account.

Quick step-by-step procedure

1. Open a post on the MAX channel and go to "Discussion."
2. Make sure this is the built-in MAX chat and not an external group.
3. Find the member's message and open their profile via the name, avatar, or "Open profile."
4. Click "⋯" and select "Block user" or "Restrict sending messages."
5. Confirm the action with the "Block," "Restrict," or "Confirm" button.
6. Check the profile status and that sending a new message is no longer possible.
7. If the command is missing, open "Channel management" → "Members" and check administrator permissions.