You can disable comments on individual posts or turn them off site-wide through your privacy settings
Facebook gives you two ways to stop comments: you can turn off comments on a single post after you publish it, or you can change your default settings so new posts don't accept comments unless you change them back. The fastest route depends on whether you want to block comments on everything going forward or just on specific posts that are already live.
Disabling comments is different from deleting them. When you turn off comments, people cannot add new ones, but existing comments stay visible. If you want to remove comments that are already there, you need to delete them individually or hide them from your timeline.
Key Takeaways
- You can disable comments on a post you've already published by clicking the three dots on that post and selecting "Turn off commenting".
- To change your default so new posts don't allow comments, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, and adjust who can comment on your posts.
- Disabling comments does not delete existing comments — you have to remove those separately if you want them gone.
- You can re-enable comments on a post at any time by going back to that post and selecting "Turn on commenting".
- Comments disabled on your posts do not affect your ability to comment on other people's posts.
How to disable comments on a post you've already published
Open the post on your timeline or in your News Feed. Look for the three dots in the top right corner of the post — this is the menu button. Tap or click it, then scroll down until you see "Turn off commenting". Select that option.
Once you turn off commenting, the comment box disappears from that post. Anyone who tries to visit the post will see it but won't be able to add a comment. The post itself stays visible on your timeline and in other people's feeds.
If you change your mind, go back to the same post, click the three dots again, and select "Turn on commenting". Comments will be allowed again when ready.
How to change your default settings so new posts don't allow comments
On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook (next to your profile picture). Select "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". On the left side, click "Privacy". Scroll down to the section labeled "Who can comment on your posts?" and click the dropdown menu next to it.
You'll see options like "Public", "Friends", "Friends except", and "Only me". Choose "Only me" if you want to be the only person who can comment on your posts. If you select "Friends", only people on your friends list can comment. "Public" allows anyone on Facebook to comment.
On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". Tap "Privacy", then scroll to "Who can comment on your posts?" and select your preference.
This setting applies only to posts you create after you change it. Posts you've already published keep their original comment settings unless you change them individually.
The difference between disabling comments and deleting them
When you disable comments, you're stopping new comments from being added. Comments that already exist on that post remain visible to anyone who can see the post. If you want those existing comments gone, you have to delete them one at a time.
To delete a comment on your own post, hover over the comment (on a computer) or long-press it (on a phone), then click the trash icon. You can delete comments left by other people on your own posts. You cannot delete comments you left on someone else's post unless they give you permission or the post owner removes it.
Why you might want to disable comments
Disabling comments is useful if you're sharing something personal and don't want feedback, or if a post is attracting unwanted responses. It's also a way to control the conversation without having to monitor comments constantly or delete them individually.
Some people disable comments on posts about sensitive topics, announcements they don't want debated, or content shared for a specific audience. You might also disable comments if you're taking a break from social media and don't want to manage responses.
What happens when you disable comments on a shared post
If someone shared your post to their own timeline before you disabled comments, they can still allow comments on their version of it. Disabling comments on your original post doesn't affect copies of it that other people have shared.
Similarly, if you disable comments on a post you shared from a business page or public figure, comments on the original post (on their page) are not affected — only comments on your shared version are disabled.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable comments on old posts all at once?
No, you have to disable comments on each post individually. There's no bulk option to turn off comments on multiple posts at the same time. If you have many posts you want to restrict, you may want to adjust your privacy settings going forward instead.
If I disable comments, can people still react with emoji?
Yes. Disabling comments stops text responses but does not remove the reaction buttons (like, love, haha, wow, sad, angry). If you want to remove reactions as well, you have to hide the post from your timeline or delete it entirely.
Will people know I disabled comments on a post?
They'll notice they can't comment when they try, but Facebook doesn't send a notification saying you turned off comments. People viewing the post will see it says "Comments are off" where the comment box normally appears.
Can I disable comments only for certain friends?
Your privacy settings let you choose who can comment (only you, friends, or public), but not specific friends. If you want to block one person from commenting, you can unfriend them, block them, or restrict them — which limits what they can see on your profile.
What if someone is harassing me in the comments?
You can delete their comments, block them, or report them to Facebook. Disabling all comments is one option, but if the harassment is ongoing, blocking or reporting the person is usually more effective because it stops them from contacting you in other ways too.