Using Channels

Channel Policies

In general, local policy and rules for each channel are set by that channel’s operators. While we encourage all channel operators to adopt our guidelines, if a project or community decides to operate otherwise then we respect their decisions providing network policies are respected. If you believe that the way in which a particular channel is run contravenes our ground rules then you should raise your concerns first with the channel owners, and then with Libera.Chat staff who will address cases on an individual basis.

Why can’t I join a channel?

There are several things that might prevent you from joining a particular channel. In most cases the server will tell you the reason, but some clients do not correctly display that information to you, so it’s useful to be able to check for yourself. Some of the common causes, in no particular order, are:

Check that you’re logged in with services. You can log in by running /msg NickServ IDENTIFY YourNickname YourPassword. Some channels use mode +r, which prevents unregistered users, or users who aren’t logged in, from joining.
Check whether the channel has modes +i or +k set. These will prevent anyone from joining who isn’t explicitly invited or doesn’t know the channel password.
Check whether mode +j is set. This is a join throttle, which prevents lots of users from joining in a short period of time. If this is the case, it might be worth trying again after a minute or two, to see whether the join throttle is the reason.
If you are logged in to services, check the channel ban list – you can do this using /mode #channel b.

If you’ve not been in the channel in question recently, it’s possible that you’re affected by a wide-ranging ban, so pay attention to any bans that include * or ? wildcards and to extended bans starting with $. You can read more about the different types of ban masks in the masks guide.

If you find a ban which matches you but you feel wasn’t intended to keep you out, then talk to one of the channel operators to see about having it removed. You can find a list of channel operators via the /msg ChanServ FLAGS #channel command.

If you’re still stuck, feel free to ask a staff member for help in working out what’s preventing you from joining.

Why can’t I talk in a channel?

The three most common causes for this are a quiet mask – use /mode #channel q to see the list and then check the advice above regarding bans – mode +m, which prevents anyone who isn’t voiced from talking, or mode +R, which prevents anyone who isn’t logged in from talking. If you’re still unsure, again, feel free to ask staff for help in working out what the problem might be.