Blocking unwanted calls on a landline is a different process than blocking them on a cell phone, but it is just as doable. Most US landline providers offer free call-blocking codes you can dial directly from the handset, and standalone call-blocking devices fill in the gaps for robocalls and spoofed numbers. This guide walks through every method that works in 2026, what each one costs, and how to handle the calls that slip through.
Why Landlines Need Their Own Approach
A landline does not have a touchscreen, a contacts app, or a “block this caller” button you can tap after hanging up. The blocking has to happen either through codes you dial on the keypad, through a setting in your provider’s account portal, or through a physical device that sits between the wall jack and your phone. Once you know which path your line supports, the actual process is straightforward.
The most common unwanted calls on a landline today fall into three buckets: known callers you do not want to hear from, robocalls dialing through automated lists, and spoofed numbers that fake their caller ID. Different blocking methods handle each one differently, which is why a single tactic is rarely enough on its own.
It is also worth knowing that the Federal Communications Commission requires all major US voice providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN, a call-authentication framework that flags or rejects spoofed numbers at the network level. That means a portion of the worst robocalls never reach your phone in the first place — but it does not catch everything, and the rest of this guide covers what to do about the calls that get through.
Use Your Carrier’s Built-In Call-Blocking Codes
Most US landline providers — including Verizon, AT&T, Spectrum, Xfinity, CenturyLink, and Frontier — support a feature called Selective Call Rejection, which lets you block specific numbers using a star code dialed from your handset. The exact code can vary slightly by region and provider, but the standard one is *60.
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Browse 212 Numbers →To use it, pick up the phone and dial *60. You will hear an automated menu with options to add a number to your block list, review what is already blocked, or remove a number. Most providers cap the personal block list at around 30 numbers, so it works well for known callers but is not a fix for high-volume robocall situations.
Two related codes are worth knowing. *77 activates Anonymous Call Rejection, which automatically blocks any incoming call that has deliberately hidden its caller ID. Callers hear a recording telling them their number is blocked and to call back with caller ID unblocked. *87 turns Anonymous Call Rejection off if you ever need to.
A few providers use slightly different codes. Verizon Fios sometimes uses *60 for the same Selective Call Rejection feature but routes some options through the My Verizon online portal instead of the phone menu. Spectrum and Xfinity Voice both expose more granular blocking options through their web account dashboards, including the ability to block whole area codes — useful if you are getting hit with calls from a specific region you have no business with.
If you do not know whether your provider supports *60, the fastest way to find out is to dial it. If the feature is active on your line, the menu plays immediately. If it is not, you will hear an error tone and can call your provider to ask whether it is available and whether it requires a small monthly fee. Some plans include it for free; some bill it as an add-on.
Block Numbers Through Your Provider’s Online Portal
If your landline service runs over an internet connection (Verizon Fios, Xfinity Voice, Spectrum, Vonage, Ooma, or any other VoIP-based home phone), the most powerful blocking controls usually live in the web portal rather than on the handset itself.
Log into your account on your provider’s website or app and look for a section called something like “Call Blocking,” “Block List,” or “Call Controls.” From there you can typically add specific numbers to a permanent block list, block ranges or area codes, route calls from unknown numbers straight to voicemail, and turn on screening features that ask the caller to identify themselves before the phone rings.
VoIP-based services often allow much larger block lists than traditional landlines — hundreds or thousands of entries rather than the ~30-number cap on copper-pair lines. They also tend to expose anti-robocall settings that use the provider’s own real-time threat data, automatically rejecting calls flagged as likely spam network-wide. Xfinity Voice’s “Advanced Call Forwarding” and Vonage’s call-screening tools both work this way.
Use a Call-Blocking Device
For traditional copper landlines, or when your provider’s options are too limited, a standalone call-blocking device fills in the gap. These devices plug into the phone jack between the wall and your phone, intercept incoming calls, and either reject them or screen them based on rules you set.
The most common units — CPR Call Blocker, Tel-Lynx, Sentry, and Panasonic phones with the feature built in — store between 1,000 and 10,000 blocked numbers. Most have a physical “Block Now” button on the unit or handset that you press during an unwanted call to add that number to the list instantly. After that, future calls from that number get dropped before the phone rings.
The better devices also offer pattern-based blocking: reject any caller without a caller ID, reject any international caller, reject any number from a specific area code, or reject any caller not in your personal allow list. The allow-list approach is the strictest setting — only calls from numbers you have explicitly approved ring through, and everyone else gets silenced — but it is also the most effective if robocalls have become unmanageable.
One thing to check before buying: confirm the device supports your line type. Most are built for traditional analog landlines. If your “landline” is actually VoIP-based (Vonage adapter, Ooma, or a cable provider’s phone line), you may need a model specifically rated for VoIP — or you may find that your provider’s portal already gives you the same controls without the extra hardware.
What to Do About Spoofed and Robocaller Numbers
Blocking specific numbers works against individual callers. It does not work as well against robocallers, because most of them spoof their caller ID, displaying a different number each time so your block list never catches up.
The most effective defenses against spoofed numbers are network-level: the STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework that all major US carriers now implement, plus the provider-level spam filtering that automatically rejects calls from known bad-actor numbers. You generally do not have to turn these on — they are running in the background — but it is worth checking your provider’s call-controls page for settings labeled “spam protection” or “robocall blocking” and confirming they are enabled.
You should also register your landline with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. Legitimate telemarketers are legally required to honor the list. It will not stop bad-actor robocallers (they are already breaking the law by calling you), but it does reduce the volume from compliant marketers and creates a paper trail if you ever want to file a complaint.
If a spoofed call gets through and harasses you repeatedly, you can report the call to the FCC at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts. The FCC tracks complaints and uses them to take enforcement action against the underlying call originators.
If You’re Tired of Landline Hassle, Consider Going Mobile
Landlines can be a comfortable habit, but they offer fewer blocking tools than a modern cell phone does, and they are more exposed to robocallers because the numbers are easier to scrape from public directories. If your landline is your main phone primarily because you have had the number for years, you can keep the exact number and move it to a cell phone — the process is called porting, and it is faster than most people expect.
If you are already considering a switch, picking up a Manhattan 212 area code in the move is a strong option. Browse current inventory to see what is available — numbers start From $150 — or call us at (212) 580-2000 if you have questions about porting your existing landline number to a new cell line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does *60 work on every landline?
Most US landline carriers support *60 for Selective Call Rejection, but a few use different codes and a small number of regional providers do not offer the feature at all. The quickest way to find out is to dial *60 — if the menu plays, you have it.
How many numbers can I block on a typical landline?
Copper-line carrier blocking usually caps your personal block list at around 30 numbers. VoIP-based home phone services often allow hundreds or thousands, and standalone call-blocking devices typically store 1,000 to 10,000.
Is there a charge for call blocking on a landline?
Some carriers include basic call blocking and Anonymous Call Rejection at no extra cost; others bill it as part of a calling-features bundle for a few dollars a month. Call your provider or check your bill if you are not sure which tier you are on.
How do I block an entire area code on my landline?
Carrier-level *60 blocking does not usually allow area-code-level blocks — only specific numbers. To block a whole area code, you need either a provider that exposes area-code blocking through its web portal (Spectrum and Xfinity Voice both do this) or a standalone call-blocking device with pattern blocking.
Will blocking a number on my landline tell the caller they’re blocked?
Most Selective Call Rejection systems play the caller a recorded message saying their call has been blocked. Anonymous Call Rejection plays a similar message asking the caller to unblock their ID and try again. Call-blocking devices usually just drop the call without notifying the caller at all.
Can I block robocalls on a landline?
You can reduce them significantly. The combination of STIR/SHAKEN network authentication, your provider’s spam-protection setting, the Do Not Call Registry, and a call-blocking device with pattern blocking handles most robocall traffic. No single tool catches all of it because the numbers are constantly spoofed.
What if the unwanted caller uses a different number every time?
This is spoofing, and number-by-number blocking will not keep up. Use pattern-based blocking instead — block any caller with no caller ID, any caller from a specific area code, or require callers to identify themselves before your phone rings. Most call-blocking devices and many VoIP providers support these rules.
Does the Do Not Call Registry actually work on landlines?
It works against legitimate telemarketers, who are legally required to honor it. It does not stop scam robocallers, who are already breaking the law by calling at all. Registering is still worth it — it reduces volume from compliant marketers and supports any FCC complaint you file later.
Can I move my landline number to a cell phone instead?
Yes. The FCC allows wireline-to-wireless porting and most landline numbers can be moved to a cell carrier in three to five business days. See our guide on porting a landline number to a cell phone for the full process.
