How To Turn Off Comments On WordPress? [in 2023]

Written by: Mark Coleman
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Have you ever found yourself drowning in a sea of negative comments or spam on your WordPress website? It can be overwhelming and time-consuming to moderate, leaving you with little time to focus on creating quality content.

But what if there was a way to turn off comments altogether? In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to turn off comments on WordPress and why and when it might be beneficial to do so.

We’ll also provide solutions for those who are having trouble turning off comments.

As experts in WordPress, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through this process.

If you prefer to watch a video tutorial on how to Turn Off Comments On WordPress, check out this video tutorial:

How To Turn Off Comments On WordPress?

If you want to disable comments on your WordPress website, follow these simple steps:

  1. First, open the post for which you want to turn off the comments section.
  2. Click on the “Edit” button to open the post editor.
  3. Scroll down to the right-hand side of the editor and find the “Discussion” section.
  4. Uncheck the “Allow Comments” option.
  5. Click on the “Update” button to save the changes.
  6. If you want to disable comments for all your old posts, go to your WordPress dashboard.
  7. Hover over the “Settings” option and click on “Discussion”.
  8. Find the “Allow people to submit comments on new posts” option and deselect it.
  9. Click on the “Save Changes” button to apply the changes.

That’s it! You have successfully turned off the comments section for your WordPress website.

Can’t Turn Off Comments On WordPress – How to fix it?

If you’re having trouble turning off comments on your WordPress website, there are a few possible solutions you can try.

1. Turn off comments for a specific post:
– Open the post editor for the post you want to turn off comments for.
– Scroll down to the “Discussion” section on the right-hand side.
– Uncheck the “Allow Comments” option.
– Click “Update” to save the changes.
– View the post to confirm that the comment section has been removed.

2. Turn off comments for all posts:
– Go to your WordPress dashboard.
– Hover over “Settings” and click on “Discussion.”
– Look for the option that says “Allow people to submit comments on new posts” and uncheck it.
– Click “Save Changes” to apply the settings.
– All new posts will have comments disabled.

3. Use a plugin:
– If the above solutions don’t work, you can try using a plugin to disable comments.
– Some popular options include Disable Comments and Disable Comments Manager.

Remember to test your website after making any changes to ensure that the comment section has been properly disabled.

Why and when should you Turn Off Comments On WordPress?

Comments are an integral part of any blog or website. They allow readers to engage with the content creator and share their opinions, feedback, and suggestions. However, there are times when turning off comments on WordPress can be beneficial. Here are some reasons why and when you should consider turning off comments:

  1. Preventing spam: Comment sections can attract a lot of spam, which can be annoying and time-consuming to moderate. Turning off comments can help prevent spam and save you time and effort.
  2. Reducing negativity: Unfortunately, comment sections can also attract negative and hateful comments. Turning off comments can help reduce the amount of negativity on your website and create a more positive environment.
  3. Protecting privacy: Sometimes, blog posts can contain sensitive or personal information. Turning off comments can help protect the privacy of the content creator and their readers.
  4. Encouraging engagement elsewhere: If you want to encourage readers to engage with your content in other ways, such as social media or email, turning off comments can help redirect their attention to those channels.

In general, turning off comments on WordPress should be done sparingly and only when it makes sense for your specific situation. If you do decide to turn off comments, it’s important to communicate this to your readers and provide alternative ways for them to engage with your content.

Conclusion – Turn Off Comments On WordPress

Disabling comments on your WordPress website can be a useful tool to prevent spam, reduce negativity, protect privacy, and encourage engagement elsewhere.

However, it should be done sparingly and only when it makes sense for your specific situation.

If you decide to turn off comments, remember to communicate this to your readers and provide alternative ways for them to engage with your content.

Follow the simple steps provided in this blog post to turn off comments for specific posts or all posts.

If you encounter any issues, try using a plugin or contact a WordPress expert for assistance.

As experts in WordPress, we have the knowledge and experience to guide you through this process.

Mark Coleman - HowTOBuildWebsites
Written by Mark Coleman


Mark Coleman is the founder of HowToBuildWebsites.org, which provides comprehensive tutorials on website builders like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Shopify. He graduated from the University of North Texas with a business degree, developing an interest in web design's changing landscape and website builders' potential.

Mark enjoys experimenting with new web technologies, refining his web development skills, and actively participating in web design and development communities.

Learn more about him and read his articles here on HowToBuildWebsites.org.

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