You've just finished watching a video, and you're ready to share your thoughts, but the comment section is missing, grayed out, or giving you an error. It's one of the most frustrating experiences on YouTube. Whether you're a viewer trying to engage or a creator wondering why your audience is silent, understanding the "why" is the first step to fixing it. In this 2026 guide, we break down every reason why you can't comment on YouTube—from strict safety settings and account restrictions to technical glitches—and provide clear solutions to get you back in the conversation.
Troubleshooting Guide
Updated for 2026
Expert Verified
#1 Cause of Disabled Comments
Typical "Soft Ban" Duration
Filters 90% of Spam
Most Issues Resolved Quickly
Reason 1: "Made for Kids" (COPPA)
The most common reason comments are turned off globally on a video is the "Made for Kids" setting. Following FTC regulations (COPPA), YouTube is legally required to limit data collection on content designed for children. This means certain interactive features, including comments, are permanently disabled.
How to Identify "Made for Kids" Content
Unfixable by ViewerIf you see the following signs, the comments are disabled by YouTube's system and cannot be turned on by you or (usually) the creator:
- The text "Comments are turned off" appears where the comment section should be.
- You cannot save the video to a custom playlist.
- The Mini-player is disabled for the video.
- There is a "Try YouTube Kids" label near the description.
Reason 2: Creator Disabled Comments
Creators have full control over their comment sections. They may choose to disable comments entirely to avoid harassment, reduce moderation work, or simply because the video is an announcement or archive footage.
Hold for Review
Sometimes, your comment doesn't appear immediately because the creator has selected "Hold all comments for review." In this case, your comment exists in a queue and will only become public if the creator manually approves it. You won't see it publicly until they do.
Reason 3: Restricted Mode is On
Restricted Mode is an optional setting used by schools, libraries, and parents to screen out potentially mature content. When active, it often hides the comment section entirely because comments are unpredictable and unrated.
How to Disable Restricted Mode
Quick Fix- Click your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Scroll to the bottom of the menu.
- Look for "Restricted Mode: On".
- Click it and toggle the switch to "Off".
- Refresh the page (F5 or Command+R).
Note for Network Users: If you are on school or work Wi-Fi, the network administrator may have locked Restricted Mode ON. In this case, you cannot disable it without switching to mobile data.
Reason 4: Account Restrictions & Bans
Sometimes the issue isn't the video, but your specific Google account. YouTube has strict community guidelines, and violations can result in temporary or permanent loss of commenting privileges.
Shadowban
You can post, but no one else sees it. Caused by spamming or repetitive language.
New Account
Brand new accounts may be restricted from commenting excessively to prevent bots.
No Channel
You must have a YouTube channel created (even with 0 videos) to post comments.
Reason 5: Technical Glitches & Cache
As with any massive platform, YouTube experiences bugs. Cached data in your browser or app can sometimes cause the comment section to fail to load.
Browser Fixes
DesktopCommon browser extensions (like ad blockers) can accidentally hide comments.
- Clear cache and cookies
- Disable extensions temporarily
- Try Incognito mode
App Fixes
MobileOutdated apps often break interactive features first.
- Update the YouTube App
- Clear App Cache (Android)
- Reinstall the App (iOS)
The "Ghost Ban": Spam Filters
⚠ Why Did My Comment Disappear?
If you post a comment and it disappears after a refresh, or if only you can see it while logged in, you've likely triggered YouTube's AI spam filter.
In 2026, YouTube's AI moderation is extremely aggressive. Your comment may be blocked if it contains:
- External Links: Comments with URLs are often auto-held for review.
- Repetitive Text: Copy-pasting the same phrase on multiple videos.
- Restricted Words: Profanity or words flagged by the specific creator's blocklist.
- Excessive Emojis: Strings of emojis can sometimes be flagged as bot behavior.
Troubleshooting Guide
Identify your specific symptom to find the solution.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| "Comments turned off" text | Made for Kids / Creator Disabled | None (check other videos) |
| Section completely missing | Restricted Mode | Turn off Restricted Mode in profile |
| "Error posting comment" | VPN / Connection | Disable VPN or refresh |
| Comment posts then vanishes | Spam Filter / Held for Review | Remove links, rephrase, wait |
| Keyboard won't appear (Mobile) | App Glitch | Restart App / Update |
Frequently Asked Questions
Official "Art Tracks"—YouTube's auto-generated high-quality music files (usually showing just the album art)—often have comments disabled by default based on the distributor's settings or to keep the focus purely on the audio experience.
Comments on Shorts are accessed differently than long-form videos. On mobile, look for the speech bubble icon on the right side of the screen. If that icon is grayed out, the creator has disabled comments or the Short is marked "Made for Kids."
To test if you are shadowbanned, post a comment, then copy the video link. Open an Incognito/Private window and paste the link. Look for your comment sorted by "Newest." If it's not there, you have been ghost-banned by the spam filter or hidden by the channel owner.
No. Commenting is a free feature available to all users with a verified Google account and a YouTube channel profile. YouTube Premium offers ad-free viewing and background play but does not affect commenting privileges.
Yes. Aggressive ad blockers or privacy extensions can sometimes identify the comment script as "tracking" code and block it from loading. If the comment section is spinning endlessly, try disabling your ad blocker for YouTube.
Join the Conversation
Now that you've identified the issue, apply the fix and get back to engaging with your favorite creators. Remember to keep your comments respectful to avoid falling into the spam filter trap!
