When YouTube comments do not show, the cause is usually one of eight: the creator turned them off, the video is made for kids, Restricted Mode is on, an extension or ad blocker interferes, the app or browser needs an update, the connection is unstable, comments are held for review, or YouTube is having a temporary problem. Check them in that order.
An empty comment section can mean different things: a deliberate choice by the uploader, a setting on your side or a glitch. The table below pairs the symptom with the likely cause so you can skip to the fix.
Symptom, cause, what to check
| What you see | Likely cause | First check |
|---|---|---|
| "Comments are turned off" | The uploader disabled them | Nothing to fix on your side |
| No comments box, video for children | Made for kids | Look for the kids label in the description |
| Comments missing on many videos | Restricted Mode is on | Turn it off in your settings |
| Spinner that never ends | Slow connection or extension | Reload, then disable extensions |
| Only some comments appear | Filters or held comments | Sort order and the uploader's settings |
| Works in the browser, not in the app | Outdated app | Update the app |
| Everything breaks at once | Service problem | Wait and retry |
1. The creator turned comments off
The simplest cause. Uploaders can disable comments on a video or a whole channel, or limit them to approved users. A message such as "comments are turned off" appears in place of the box. You cannot override this. If you are the creator and want them back, our guide on turning on comments on YouTube walks through the setting.
2. The video is made for kids
For videos designated as made for kids, YouTube disables comments and some other features by law and policy reasons. The label is set by the uploader or by YouTube. If you do not see a comment box on a cartoon or a toy review, this is the likely reason.
3. Restricted Mode is on
Restricted Mode is an optional setting that screens out potentially mature content, and it also hides comments on videos. It is often enabled on school or work networks and on shared devices. To check it, open your profile picture, find Restricted Mode in the menu and switch it off. On a managed network the administrator may have locked it, in which case you cannot change it yourself.
4. An extension or ad blocker interferes
Browser extensions sometimes break page elements, and comments are loaded separately from the video, so they are a common casualty. Test by opening the video in a private window with extensions disabled. If the comments appear, re-enable the extensions one at a time to find the culprit. Content blockers, script blockers and privacy tools are the usual suspects.
5. The app or browser is out of date
An old app can fail to load comments. Update YouTube from your app store, and update your browser on a computer. On mobile, also try clearing the app's cache from system settings, then reopen it. If you see "comments not loading", this fix solves a large share of cases.
6. A connection problem
Comments arrive in a second request after the page, so a weak signal can show a video but not the discussion. Switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data, reload, or restart the router. If the video itself buffers, the connection is the cause. A VPN can slow or block comment loading as well, so turn it off for a test.
7. Comments are held for review
Uploaders can hold comments for approval or enable filters for certain words and links. In that case, your comment may exist but not show until approved, and some comments will never appear for other viewers. If you wrote a comment and cannot see it, sign out and view the video logged out, or ask someone else to look. Do not post the same comment repeatedly, because that can look like spam.
8. A temporary YouTube issue
Sometimes the service itself has trouble. If comments fail across many videos and nothing on your side explains it, wait and try later, or check whether other people report the same issue. Signing out and in again also helps.
When to contact YouTube support
Contact YouTube if:
- Comments fail on every video after you tried all the fixes above.
- You are a creator and your own channel's comments are missing although they are enabled.
- Your account shows a restriction you do not understand.
Describe the device, the app version, what you tried and a link to one affected video. Use YouTube's help channels, not third-party sites that ask for your password.
Checklist: fix missing comments in five minutes
- [ ] Check whether the video says comments are off or made for kids.
- [ ] Turn off Restricted Mode.
- [ ] Open the video in a private window without extensions.
- [ ] Update the app or browser.
- [ ] Try another network.
- [ ] Sign out and in again.
- [ ] Wait an hour and retry.
Why comments matter for creators
Comments are a sign that a video started a conversation, and they feed back into how creators plan new videos. If you run a channel, replying within the first hours can encourage more discussion. Our post on getting more subscribers on YouTube covers more engagement habits, and the earnings angle is in what views are worth on YouTube.
How it works at LikeMan
A video with no discussion can look unwelcoming to a first-time viewer. LikeMan YouTube comments are ordered with the link of a public video, and a password is never asked for. The page shows the quote before you pay, the work starts once the payment clears, and the terms for the following year are written on the service. Comments added this way start a thread but do not replace real viewers.
The remaining YouTube options are listed on the LikeMan YouTube page.
FAQ
Why can't I see comments on YouTube?
Common reasons are comments turned off, a made-for-kids video, Restricted Mode, an extension, an old app or a connection problem.
Why are YouTube comments not loading on mobile?
Update the app, clear its cache, switch networks and make sure Restricted Mode is off.
Can I see comments if the creator turned them off?
No. The setting removes the comment section for viewers.
Why is my own comment missing?
It may be held for review, filtered or removed. View the video while signed out or ask someone else to check.
Conclusion
Missing YouTube comments usually come from a setting, an extension, an old app or a connection issue. Work through the table from the simplest cause to the rarest, and contact support only when every fix has failed.