You finally hit upload. The thumbnail looks crisp, the edit is tight, and you’re ready for the feedback to roll in. Then you see it. That greyed-out, soul-crushing text at the bottom: Comments are turned off. It’s frustrating. It feels like the platform is silencing you, but usually, it’s just a toggle hidden deep in the settings or a compliance box you checked without thinking.
Learning how to enable comments on YouTube isn't just about flipping a switch. It’s about understanding why YouTube’s automated systems—sometimes aggressively—decide to shut down the conversation for you.
Sometimes it's a "Made for Kids" setting. Other times, it's a global account preference that’s overriding your individual video settings. Honestly, even seasoned creators get tripped up by the hierarchy of YouTube Studio’s permissions.
The "Made for Kids" Trap
If your video is set to "Made for Kids," you’re out of luck. Period. COPPA (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act) is a massive deal for Google. Back in 2019, the FTC slapped Google with a $170 million fine, and since then, they don't mess around. If your content is flagged for children, YouTube disables comments, personalized ads, and notification bells.
Check your audience settings first. Go to your YouTube Studio, hit the Content tab, and look at the "Restrictions" column. If it says "Made for Kids," that is why your comments are gone.
You can change this by clicking the pencil icon to edit the video and scrolling down to the Audience section. Select "No, it's not made for kids." But a word of warning: don't lie. If your video is clearly a "Let's Play" of a toddler game or a toy unboxing, and you mark it as "not for kids" just to get comments, YouTube’s AI will eventually catch it. They might even strike your channel. It's a risk.
Changing the default setting
You don't want to do this for every single video, right? That’s tedious. You can set a channel-wide default. Head to Settings, then Channel, then Advanced Settings. You’ll see the option to set your entire channel as "not made for kids." It saves a ton of time.
How to Enable Comments on YouTube for Specific Videos
Maybe your video isn't for kids, but the comments are still missing. This usually happens because of the individual video's upload defaults.
- Open the YouTube Studio app or web dashboard.
- Click on Content.
- Select the video that’s giving you trouble.
- Scroll way down. You might have to click "SHOW MORE" to find the hidden stuff.
- Look for the Comments and ratings section.
Under "Comment visibility," you’ll see a few options. If "Disable comments" is selected, obviously, nobody can say a word. You want to pick "Allow all comments" or, if you're worried about bots, "Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review."
I usually recommend the "Hold for review" option. YouTube's filters are actually getting pretty decent at spotting those "Want to be friends?" bots and crypto scammers. It keeps your community from looking like a spam farm.
The Global Account Override
Sometimes the problem isn't the video. It's the channel.
Go to Settings (the gear icon at the bottom left) and click Upload defaults. From there, jump into Advanced settings. If your upload defaults are set to "Disable comments," every single video you post will start with comments turned off.
It’s an easy fix. Just change it there, hit save, and your future uploads will be fine. Just remember: changing the default doesn't retroactively fix old videos. You’ll have to go back and bulk-edit those.
Bulk Editing Your Comments
If you have fifty videos with comments turned off, don't do them one by one. You’ll lose your mind.
- Go to your Content library.
- Check the box at the very top to select all videos.
- Click Edit in the black bar that appears.
- Choose Comments.
- Change the value to "Allow" and hit Update videos.
It takes a minute or two for YouTube to process the change. Don't panic if it doesn't show up in the first ten seconds.
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Why YouTube Still Might Block You
You've followed the steps. You've checked the boxes. But the comments are still missing. What gives?
There are a few "hidden" reasons this happens. First, if you have a private video, comments aren't allowed. Comments are for the public. If you want people to talk, the video needs to be Public or Unlisted.
Second, there's the issue of "Safety Mode" or "Restricted Mode." If you are viewing your own video from a school or work computer, Restricted Mode might be forced on by the network administrator. This hides comments regardless of your settings. Try checking your video on a mobile device using cellular data to see if they appear.
The "Auto-Disable" Feature for Minors
If you are a younger creator, or if the people in your video appear to be minors, YouTube’s systems might automatically disable comments as a protective measure. This started around 2019 to prevent predatory behavior. Even if you turn them back on, YouTube's "Safety Mode" might flip them off again if their AI detects children in the frame. It's frustrating for family vloggers, but it’s a site-wide policy that’s hard to bypass.
Advanced Moderation and Community Settings
Once you've managed to enable comments on YouTube, you have to manage them. Success brings trolls. It's a law of the internet.
Under Settings > Community, you can add "Blocked words." If there are specific insults or spam phrases you're tired of seeing, put them in there. YouTube will automatically junk any comment containing those words.
You can also designate "Moderators." These are people you trust who can remove comments for you. If your channel starts growing, you can't do it all yourself. You'll burn out.
The Power of the Pinned Comment
Now that your comments are on, use them. The first comment should always be yours. Pin it. Ask a question. "What part of this video surprised you most?" or "What should I cover next?"
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Engagement signals to the YouTube algorithm that people care about your content. More comments usually mean more views. It’s a feedback loop that you want to start as soon as possible.
Technical Glitches and Browser Issues
Sometimes, it’s just a bug. I’ve seen cases where the YouTube Studio app says comments are "On," but the desktop site says "Off."
If you're stuck in a loop, try this:
- Clear your browser cache.
- Log out and log back in.
- Try a different browser like Firefox or Brave if Chrome is acting up.
- Check the @TeamYouTube Twitter (X) account. They usually post when there's a site-wide bug affecting creators.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you are staring at a video with no engagement, follow this exact sequence:
- Verify Audience Status: Ensure the video is NOT marked "Made for Kids." This is the #1 culprit.
- Check Video Visibility: Make sure the video is Public or Unlisted.
- Manual Override: Go into the individual video settings under "Show More" and explicitly set comments to "Allow" or "Hold for Review."
- Save and Refresh: Hit save, wait 30 seconds, and refresh the public watch page.
- Test in Incognito: Open an incognito window to see if the comments show up for a non-logged-in user. This rules out account-specific display issues.
By following these steps, you regain control over your community. Comments are the lifeblood of YouTube. Without them, you’re just shouting into a void. Fix the settings, engage with your viewers, and watch your channel's retention and reach improve as the conversation starts flowing.