Disable comments before or after you post
You can turn off comments on a Facebook post at any time — before you publish it or long after. When comments are disabled, people can still see the post, but the comment box disappears and no one can add new comments. Existing comments stay visible unless you delete them separately. This works the same way on both the Facebook website and the mobile app.
The process takes about 10 seconds. You do not need to delete the post or change any privacy settings. Disabling comments is useful when you want to share something without inviting feedback, or when a post has attracted unwanted responses that you want to stop.
Key Takeaways
- You can disable comments on your own posts through the three-dot menu, whether the post is brand new or months old.
- When comments are off, the comment box vanishes but the post itself remains visible to everyone who could see it before.
- Existing comments stay on the post unless you manually delete them after turning comments off.
- You can turn comments back on at any time using the same menu.
- This feature only works on posts you created — you cannot disable comments on other people's posts.
How to disable comments on Facebook desktop
Open Facebook in your web browser and find the post you want to change. Look for the three dots (sometimes called the menu icon) in the top right corner of the post. Click those three dots.
A small menu will appear with several options. Look for the option that says "Turn off commenting" or "Disable comments" — the exact wording varies slightly depending on your Facebook version. Click it. The comments section will disappear when ready, and you will see a message confirming that comments are now off.
If you change your mind later, go back to the same post, click the three dots again, and select "Turn on commenting." The comment box will return.
How to disable comments on the Facebook mobile app
Open the Facebook app on your phone and navigate to your post. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the post — this is the same menu icon you use on desktop.
A menu will pop up from the bottom of your screen. Scroll down if needed and tap "Turn off commenting." The comments section will close when ready. You will see confirmation that comments are now disabled on that post.
To turn comments back on, tap the three dots again and select "Turn on commenting."
What happens to comments that already exist
When you disable comments, any comments that were already on the post do not disappear automatically. They remain visible to anyone viewing the post. If you want those comments gone, you need to delete them one by one by clicking the three dots on each comment and selecting delete.
This is important to know because disabling comments stops new responses but does not clean up old ones. If a post has attracted negative or unwanted comments before you turn comments off, those comments will still be there unless you remove them manually.
Disabling comments before you post
You can also prevent comments from the moment you publish. When you are writing a new post, before you click "Post," look for the audience or privacy settings. On desktop, this is usually a button showing who can see the post (like "Friends" or "Public"). Click it.
In the menu that opens, look for an option related to comments or reactions. Not all Facebook versions show this option at the draft stage, so if you do not see it, you can disable comments when ready after posting using the three-dot menu instead. This approach takes the same amount of time either way.
When you cannot disable comments
You can only disable comments on posts you created yourself. If someone else posted something on your timeline or in a group you manage, you cannot turn off their comments — only they can do that. You can delete the post from your timeline or remove it from the group, but you cannot selectively disable comments on someone else's content.
If a post is shared from a public page or news source, the same rule applies: only the original poster can disable comments. You can hide the post from your timeline or report it if it violates Facebook's rules, but you cannot change its comment settings.
Why you might want to disable comments
People disable comments for different reasons. Some post announcements or information and do not want a discussion underneath. Others share something personal and prefer not to receive feedback. Some posts attract spam or arguments, and disabling comments stops new ones from appearing.
Disabling comments is also useful if you are sharing something sensitive — like a health update or family news — and you want to control the conversation. It is a middle ground between deleting the post entirely and leaving it open to all responses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can people still see the post if I disable comments?
Yes. Disabling comments only removes the ability to comment — the post itself remains visible to everyone who could see it before. The post does not become private or hidden.
If I turn comments back on, will old comments reappear?
Only if you did not delete them. Comments that existed before you turned comments off will still be there when you turn them back on. If you deleted comments while they were off, they stay deleted.
Can I disable comments on just some reactions, like likes?
No. You can only turn comments on or off as a whole. You cannot disable comments but allow likes, or vice versa. Reactions and comments are controlled separately — you can hide the reaction count on some posts, but that is a different setting.
What if someone comments right before I disable comments?
Their comment will appear on the post. Disabling comments stops new comments from being added after you turn it off, but comments posted in the seconds before you disable will still show up.
Do my friends get notified if I disable comments on their comments?
No notification is sent when you disable comments. However, they will notice the comment box is gone if they try to comment again. If you delete their specific comment, they may receive a notification depending on your Facebook settings.