How to Turn On Comments on YouTube — Complete Guide 2025

You want viewers to engage under your videos. This guide shows how to turn on comments on YouTube quickly.
Use desktop, mobile, or default channel settings.
All steps are short and clear.

Updated for 2025. Works with YouTube Studio on desktop, and the YouTube Studio app.

Quick links:

• Desktop Guide
• Mobile Guide
• Default Settings
• Troubleshooting

<image [Hero illustration: creator toggling “Allow comments” in YouTube Studio]>

How to Enable Comments on YouTube

• Desktop Method — Use YouTube Studio in a web browser.
  Best for total control, bulk editing videos.

• Mobile Method — Use the YouTube Studio app.
  Best for quick changes wherever you are.

• Default Settings — Turn on comments for all future uploads.
  Best for saving time in the long-run.

How to Turn On Comments on YouTube (Desktop)

You will enable comments from the editing screen for one video in YouTube Studio.

Step 1 — Open Studio
Open Chrome and navigate to studio.youtube.com, then sign in.

Step 2 — Open Content
Click Content from the left menu.

Step 3 — Choose a video
Click the video thumbnail to edit it.

Step 4 — Show more
In the video editor, click on Show more to show more options.

Step 5 — Enable comments
Find where it says Comments and ratings.
Choose Allow all comments.
Or click Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review (more safe for a new channel).

Step 6 — Save
Click Save in the upper right.

That's it! You successfully enabled comments on YouTube.

TIp: Need to do this for many videos?
In Content, select multiple videos → Edit → Comments → Allow all comments → Update videos.

How to Turn On Comments on YouTube (Mobile)

Use the YouTube Studio app on either your iOS or Android smart device.

Step 1 — Open the app
If needed, install the YouTube Studio app on your device. Sign in to your channel.

Step 2 — Go to Content
Tap Content which holds your videos.

Step 3 — Select a video
Tap the video you want to enable comments for.

Step 4 — Edit
Tap the pencil icon.

Step 5 — Advanced settings
Swipe to Advanced (or More options on some devices).

Step 6 — Turn on comments
Find Comments or Comments and ratings.
Toggle to Allow comments (or pick one of the allow options).

Step 7 — Save
Tap Save in the upper right.

You successfully turned on comments on YouTube from your smart device.

How to Enable Comments on YouTube by Default

Set it one time and all future uploads will automatically have comments on.

This is Desktop only - you'll want to do this on your computer.

Step 1 — Settings
In YouTube Studio, click the Settings button on the bottom left.

Step 2 — Upload defaults
Click Upload defaults → Advanced settings.

Step 3 — Comments
Under Comments, select your preferred option:

• Allow all comments
• Hold potentially inappropriate comments for review
• Hold all comments for review
• Disable comments

Step 4 — Save
Click Save.

Now all of your channel uploads will start with comments enabled by default.

Advanced Comment Controls

When you enable comments on YouTube, use the following:

• Filters in Moderation:
  You can review and approve comment text in Studio → Comments → Held for review or hide them entirely.
  You can also add blocked comments on the account: Setting → Community → Automated filters → Blocked words.
• Sort comments on the watch page:
  Viewers will be able to either sort comments to Top comments or Newest comments.
• Pin & Heart Comments:
  You can pin a selected comment at the top.
  You can heart a comment to signify a great comment.
• Hide User from Channel:
  This is good to use for removing spam user accounts. The user will still be able to see all of the videos, but their comments will not show to other viewers.
• Bulk Edit Comments:
  Click your Content tab, select multiple videos, and bulk edit Comments.

Desktop vs Mobile: Key Differences

Why Can't I Turn On Comments? Common Issues

Use this section when the option is missing, greyed out, or can not be flip the switch to 'On' position.

1) Video tagged as "Made for Kids"

• What happens: If a video is set as Made for Kids comments are always turned off.
• What to do: Simply go through editing the video → Audience → Select No, it's not made for kids (only do this if it is appropriate and your content is compliant with policies). Save.

2) Channel default audience is "Made for Kids"

• What happens: Videos uploaded to a channel with a default audience as kids will automatically have kids settings. Comments are turned off on these videos.
• What to do: Studio → Settings → Channel → Advanced settings → Audience. Select the correct default audience appropriate for your content. Save.

3) Private videos

• What happens: Comments on Private videos exist but are not available to the public.
• What to do: Switch a video from Private to either Unlisted or Public. Then you can enable comments.

4) Supervised/managed account

• What happens: If a channel is managed under a supervised Google account, the channel can be subject to limitations in their controls.
• What to do: Switch to a fully controlled Google account or ask the parent/manager to update that setting.

5) Safety restrictions on content featuring minors

• What happens: In some cases where minors are included in your video, YouTube may choose to limit retractions on comments for safety.
• What to do: In this case, not every time but many times you cannot move those settings back. Use Community tools to moderate what is allowed and what violates YouTube safety policies.

6) Violations at channel level or issue with policy exception

• What happens: If there are issues regarding Community Guidelines, you may have restrictions temporarily that may affect features, comments included.
• What to do: Look at Studio → Dashboard → Channel violations. Resolve violations/guidelines and appeal if you are eligible

7) Held for Review and do not see them

• What happens: If comments are allowed but them all you see are "held for review"

• What to do: Go to Studio → Comments → Held for review and approve or change the setting in Settings → Community → Default to Allow all comments.

8) Using the wrong app

• What happens: While the basic YouTube app allows you to see comments, you will not have control to edit the settings.
• What to do: Use YouTube Studio app to edit everything needed in the comments section.

Quick Checklist: Do I Have Comments Working?

• Check that it is Public/Unlisted?
• Check that Audience is set correctly (if comments are to be allowed not “Made for kids”)?
• Check that I clicked Save after switching to Allow all comments?
• Are all the comments in Held for review?
• Am I using YouTube Studio (either desktop or app), not only the basic YouTube app?

FAQs

How do I turn comments on YouTube as a viewer?
I cannot modify the comments settings on someone else's video. I can only choose to sort, reply, or report. Turn comments on or off is simply a checkbox for the creator to adjust.

How to disable comments on YouTube if needed?
Desktop: Video editor → Show more → *Comments and ratings box → Disable comments box → Save.
Default: Settings → Upload defaults → Advanced settings → Comments → Disable comments

Why are my comments not showing up?
They may be held for review, filtered by blocked words, or flagged by Youtube spam detection. Check Comments → Held for review and Settings → Community.

Can I enable comments on YouTube Shorts?
Yes, Shorts allow comments. Shorts maintain the same comment system as other YouTube videos. If the Audience is Made for kids or the video is Private, there will be not be comments.

Where do I find comment filters and blocked words?
Look for the filters/blocking words on Settings → Community → Automated filters. Settings → Community → Hidden users can help remove unwanted users if needed.

Start Engaging with Your Audience Today

Turn the comments on, adjust your default settings, and check for held comments quickly.
The comment section drives is the fuel of your YouTube community.