Open YouTube Studio, go to Content, choose the video, scroll to Show more, and under Comments and ratings set Comments to On. For every future upload, change the default in Settings, then Upload defaults, then Advanced settings. If comments stay off, the video or channel may be marked made for kids.
Comments are where a channel's community happens, so a video with the box switched off feels silent. Fortunately the setting is easy to change, though a few cases need extra care: videos for children, held comments and Shorts. Here are the steps for each and the reasons comments may stay disabled.
How do you turn on comments for one video?
You do this in YouTube Studio on a computer or in the Studio app.
- Open YouTube Studio and select Content in the left menu.
- Click the video you want to change.
- Scroll down and click Show more.
- Find Comments and ratings.
- Set Comments to On (choose an option such as holding potentially inappropriate comments for review if you want moderation).
- Click Save.
The names of options shift between versions. If you cannot find them, look for a section called Comments or Comments and ratings in the video's details.
How do you turn on comments for all future videos?
Change the channel default so new uploads start with comments on.
- In Studio, open Settings.
- Select Upload defaults.
- Open the Advanced settings tab.
- In the comments section, choose to allow comments, with or without holding some for review.
- Save.
This changes new uploads only. Existing videos keep their own setting, so you may need to update them one by one or in bulk from the Content list.
How do you turn on comments for YouTube Shorts?
Shorts use the same system. Open the Short in Studio, find Comments and ratings, set Comments to On and save. If comments are missing on a Short you posted from your phone, check the audience setting and the channel default described below.
Why are comments off even though I want them on?
Check these in order.
| Cause | How to recognise it | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Made for kids | The Audience setting says the video is made for kids | Review the audience honestly |
| Channel default is off | New uploads start with comments disabled | Change upload defaults |
| Video-level setting | Only one video has comments off | Switch it on in the video details |
| Held for review | Comments exist but are not shown until approved | Open the comments tab in Studio |
| Age restriction or limited features | Other tools are restricted too | Check notices in Studio |
| App or cache glitch | The setting is on but no box appears | Update the app and reload |
The made-for-kids setting
Videos set as made for kids have comments turned off, because of rules designed to protect children's privacy. In the United States this is tied to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule, described by the FTC.<!-- checked: 2026-10-15, https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/rules/childrens-online-privacy-protection-rule-coppa --> You must label content honestly: if your video is aimed at children, you cannot enable comments by changing the label, and misclassifying content can bring penalties. If the video is not aimed at children, open the Audience section in the video details and choose that it is not made for kids, then save.
Note that if the whole channel is set as made for kids, upload defaults for comments may be locked.
Held for review
Some creators choose to hold potentially inappropriate comments for review. Then the comment box exists, but some comments wait for your approval. Open the Comments page in Studio, look at the held tab and approve or delete.
How do you manage comments once they are on?
Comments are open to spam if you do nothing. Consider:
- holding potentially inappropriate comments for review;
- adding blocked words to filter spam;
- approving trusted users;
- assigning moderators if the channel grows;
- pinning a comment that sets the tone, such as a question to the audience.
Our guide on how to get more subscribers on YouTube explains why replying to comments helps channel growth.
How do you turn on comments on the phone app?
The YouTube app lets you change comment settings for your own videos, though the Studio app gives more control.
- Open the YouTube Studio app and tap Content.
- Tap the video, then the pencil icon to edit.
- Open More options or the details section.
- Find the comments setting, choose an option that allows comments and save.
On the main YouTube app you can edit a video from its menu on your channel page and reach the same settings. If an option is missing, update the app, since older versions hide some controls.
What about live streams and premieres?
Live streams use live chat instead of ordinary comments, and a premiere has both: chat during the premiere and comments afterwards. Each has its own setting in the stream or premiere details. If chat is off during a live stream, look for the live chat option in the stream settings before you go live. Comments on the archive follow the video's normal comment setting.
How can you use comments to help the video?
Comments give a video social proof and ideas. A pinned question, a quick reply to early comments and a heart on good ones all keep the thread active. After a day, read the comments for requests and objections, and use them as topics for the next video. Videos whose comments contain questions are easy to follow up with, and the follow-up gives viewers a reason to subscribe.
Should you keep comments on?
For most channels, yes. Comments tell YouTube and other viewers that a video has an audience, and they give you ideas for the next video. There are cases where turning them off is reasonable: sensitive topics, a flood of spam you cannot moderate or content where discussion is not the goal. Even then, a middle option such as holding comments for review may be enough.
What if nobody comments?
Turning comments on does not create them. To invite replies:
- ask a specific question near the end of the video;
- reply to every early comment so others join;
- pin your own comment with a prompt;
- respond to feedback in the next video.
A small number of thoughtful comments is better than a large number of generic ones.
Checklist: comments are on and working
- [ ] The video's Comments setting is On.
- [ ] The Audience setting matches the real audience.
- [ ] Upload defaults allow comments.
- [ ] Held comments are reviewed.
- [ ] Spam filters are set.
- [ ] You have replied to the first few comments.
How it works at LikeMan
Some channels want a new video to show a few comments soon after launch. LikeMan sells YouTube comments against the link of a public video, with no password involved. The calculator displays the cost first, the order begins by itself after payment, and anything lost across the following year is topped up.
Purchased comments are no substitute for real conversation, and they do not turn comments on if the setting is off. Keep the quantity small and your replies genuine. The rest of our YouTube range is on the LikeMan YouTube page, and for earnings context read how much YouTube pays per view.
Troubleshooting if the setting is on but no box appears
Sometimes everything looks correct and comments still do not show. Wait a few minutes, because changes can take time to reach viewers. Open the video in a private browser window to see what an outsider sees. Clear the app cache or log out and in. If the issue affects only one video, copy its setting to another upload as a test. If the problem is channel-wide, check Studio for any notice about restrictions. When nothing works, use the help option inside Studio to contact support with the video link.
FAQ
How do I enable comments on a YouTube video I already uploaded?
Open the video in YouTube Studio, go to Show more and set Comments to On under Comments and ratings.
Why can't I turn comments on?
The video or channel may be marked made for kids, or your channel default may lock the setting.
How do I turn comments on for all videos?
Change Upload defaults in Settings for new uploads, and update older videos in the Content list.
Do Shorts have the same setting?
Yes. Open the Short in Studio and set Comments to On.
Are comments held for review visible to viewers?
No. They stay hidden until you approve them.
Conclusion
To turn on comments, open the video in Studio and set Comments to On, then change your upload defaults for future videos. If the option is locked, review the made-for-kids setting honestly, and remember to approve held comments. Once comments are on, reply early and keep spam out.
Prepared with AI assistance and fact-checked by the LikeMan editorial team. Last reviewed: 2026-10-15.