We study the electronic and optical properties of single- and bilayer black phosphorus with shortand long-range defects by using the tight-binding propagation method. Both types of defect states are localized and induce a strong scattering of conduction states reducing significantly the charge carrier mobility. In contrast to properties of pristine samples, the anisotropy of defect-induced optical excitations is suppressed due to the isotropic nature of the defects. We also investigate the Landau level spectrum and magneto-optical conductivity, and find that the discrete Landau levels are sublinearly dependent on the magnetic field and energy level index, even at low defect concentrations.