A few months ago, I uploaded what I thought was one of my best videos yet. It was a behind-the-scenes look at how I manage my content workflow, and I was genuinely excited to hear what others thought. I waited for comments to roll in… and nothing.
Zero engagement. At first, I thought, “Okay, maybe it’s not resonating.” But then someone messaged me privately: “Hey, I tried to leave a comment on your video but couldn’t find the option.”
That’s when I realized I had unknowingly disabled YouTube comments.
I didn’t even know YouTube comments could be off by default…
When I started diving into YouTube Studio, I had no idea how deep the rabbit hole went. I assumed uploading meant everything was ready to go, but turns out there’s a lot happening behind the scenes with comment settings, moderation filters, visibility options, and even compliance flags like COPPA (Child Online Privacy Protection Act).
And trust me, missing a tiny setting like that can totally wreck the potential for viewer interaction.
The weirdest part? The comment section had been auto-disabled simply because my video wasn’t set as “Not made for kids.” That little dropdown under “Audience” made all the difference.
I Had to Learn the Hard Way: Turning On Comments for Existing Videos
If you’re wondering how to enable comments on a YouTube video, here’s what I did (and wish I knew earlier):
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click the Content tab
- Select the video thumbnail
- Scroll to Show more
- Find Comments and ratings
- Click the toggle to turn comments On
It felt kind of ridiculous that such an important setting was buried at the bottom. But this is where YouTube’s UI design can be… frustrating.
Oh, and if you want to do this for all future uploads, don’t forget to head over to:
- Settings → Upload defaults → Advanced settings → Set comments On
Once I fixed that, I saw a clear uptick in engagement.
One Annoying Issue: Comments Not Showing Even When Enabled
Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I ran into a new glitch: comments were still missing from some videos even after I’d enabled them. That’s when I fell into the YouTube troubleshooting rabbit hole. Here’s what finally worked for me:
- Cleared my browser cache and cookies
- Disabled all extensions (especially ad-blockers on Safari)
- Tried switching to Chrome instead of Firefox
- Updated the YouTube app on my phone
It turns out, experimental features like the “Redesigned Watch Page” can mess things up too. You’ll find this under Premium Benefits > Try Experimental New Features. Disabling that feature brought back the comments section for me.
Why YouTube Moderation Tools Actually Matter
I used to think comment moderation was only for bigger creators, but wow, was I wrong. When I finally turned comments back on, I got hit with a flood of spam and random inappropriate stuff.
That’s when I found the four moderation options in the Studio:
- None – Let everything through
- Basic – Hold potentially inappropriate comments
- Strict – Hold a broader range
- Hold all – Review everything manually
Now, I use Basic, and I regularly check the held for review tab. It’s become a habit, and honestly, I love the control it gives me. It keeps the discussion positive, which helps build a real community.
What Happens If YouTube Auto-Disables Comments (Hint: You Might Be Violating Something)
This was a big one. YouTube automatically disables comments for:
- Videos made for kids
- Age-restricted videos
- Community guideline violations
And yeah, if your content includes anything close to hate speech, nudity, or even misleading metadata, you’re asking for trouble. I once had a video flagged just because the title was a little clickbaity. Lesson learned.
If you ever find yourself in that spot:
- Recheck your audience settings
- Submit a review request if flagged incorrectly
- Familiarize yourself with YouTube’s Community Guidelines
What I Do Now to Keep Comments Enabled (and Why It’s Worth the Effort)
I’ve developed a simple system that keeps me sane and compliant:
- I double-check “Upload defaults” before every new video
- I moderate weekly using YouTube’s automated filters
- I’ve set up custom commenting rules in the Community settings
- I aim to create family-friendly content, even if it’s not for kids
These habits make it easier to maintain an engaged audience. And honestly, I love the back-and-forth in the comment section now. It adds depth to the content and builds trust.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Ignore Your YouTube Comments
Turning on comments might seem like a small detail, but for me, it completely changed how I view my YouTube channel. It’s not just a video platform it’s a social space. And when you get that interaction right, it feels amazing.
Whether you’re tweaking your comment visibility settings, dealing with YouTube app limitations, or fixing that one glitch that hides comments, the time you invest into managing this stuff pays off.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by comments not showing, or worried about moderation, just know you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and I still hit bumps. But learning how YouTube comment settings, auto-moderation, and upload defaults actually work can save you a lot of headaches.
Got your own YouTube story? Drop me a line. Unless… your comments are off.
