You can disable comments on individual posts or turn off commenting entirely on your profile

Facebook gives you two separate controls: you can turn off comments on a single post after you've published it, or you can change your default settings so that new posts don't allow comments from the start. The first option takes about 10 seconds per post. The second option prevents comments on all future posts unless you change the setting back.

Both changes happen in your post settings or privacy controls — not in a separate menu. If you've already published a post and want to disable comments on it, you go back to that specific post. If you want to prevent comments on posts you haven't made yet, you adjust your default privacy settings before you post.

Key Takeaways

  • You can disable comments on a post you've already published by clicking the three dots on that post and selecting "Turn off commenting".
  • To prevent comments on all new posts by default, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, and change "Who can comment on your posts" to "Friends only" or "Only me".
  • Disabling comments on a post does not delete existing comments — it only stops new ones from being added.
  • You can re-enable comments on a post at any time using the same menu where you turned them off.

How to turn off comments on a post you've already published

Open the post on your Facebook timeline or profile. Look for the three dots (called the "more" menu) in the top right corner of the post. Tap or click those three dots.

A menu will appear with several options. Select "Turn off commenting". Facebook will confirm the change, and the post will no longer accept new comments. Any comments that were already there will stay visible, but people cannot add new ones.

If you change your mind, you can turn comments back on the same way: three dots, then "Turn on commenting".

How to prevent comments on all new posts going forward

On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of your screen. Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy", then "Settings". Tap "Privacy", then scroll to find "Who can comment on your posts?"

On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner of Facebook, then select "Settings and Privacy" and "Settings". In the left sidebar, click "Privacy". Look for "Who can comment on your posts?" and click the dropdown next to it.

You'll see three options: "Public" (anyone can comment), "Friends" (only your friends can comment), or "Only me" (no one can comment except you). Select the option you want. This setting applies to all posts you make from that point forward, but it does not change comments on posts you've already published.

What happens to existing comments when you disable commenting

Comments that were already on a post stay visible when you turn off commenting. People can still see what others wrote, but they cannot add new replies or reactions to those comments. The old comments do not disappear.

If you want to remove specific comments that are already there, you can delete them individually. Click or tap the three dots on that comment and select "Delete". Only you and the person who wrote the comment can see the option to delete it.

Why you might want to disable comments

Some people turn off comments to avoid arguments or unwanted feedback on sensitive posts. Others disable comments on old posts to prevent spam or harassment that builds up over time. Parents sometimes disable comments on posts about their children.

Disabling comments does not hide your post — it just prevents new discussion. The post itself remains visible to whoever you shared it with (your friends, the public, or a custom list).

The difference between disabling comments and limiting who sees your post

Turning off comments and changing who can see a post are two different things. Disabling comments means people can still see the post, but they cannot comment on it. Changing your audience (to "Friends only" or "Only me") means certain people cannot see the post at all.

If you want to prevent a specific person from commenting without hiding the post from everyone, disabling comments is the right choice. If you want to hide a post from certain people entirely, you need to change the post's privacy setting instead — click the audience button on the post (it usually says "Public" or "Friends") and select a smaller group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable comments on old posts all at once?

No, Facebook does not have a bulk option. You have to turn off commenting on each post individually. However, you can change your default setting for future posts so you do not have to do this going forward.

If I disable comments, can people still react with emoji?

Yes. Disabling comments only stops people from writing text or replies. Reactions (like, love, haha, wow, sad, angry) still work on posts with comments turned off.

Will people know I turned off comments on a post?

Yes, they will see "Comments are turned off" where the comment box usually appears. It is not hidden — it is visible to anyone viewing the post.

Can I turn comments back on after I've turned them off?

Yes, anytime. Go back to the post, click the three dots, and select "Turn on commenting". Any old comments will reappear, and new comments will be allowed again.

Does disabling comments delete what people already wrote?

No. Existing comments stay visible. Disabling comments only stops new ones from being added. If you want to remove specific comments, you have to delete them one at a time.