Why Can't I Comment on YouTube? 8 Reasons & Fixes
Trying to leave a comment on YouTube but the comment section is missing or your comment won’t post? Here are the most common reasons and how to fix them.
1. The Creator Disabled Comments
The most common reason. Video creators can turn off comments on individual videos or their entire channel. If you don’t see a comment section at all, the creator has disabled it.
Fix: Nothing you can do — it’s the creator’s choice. Try reaching out through their other social media links in the channel description.
2. The Video Is Made for Kids
YouTube automatically disables comments on all videos marked as “Made for Kids” under COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) compliance. This applies to both videos the creator marks as for kids and videos YouTube automatically classifies.
Fix: There’s no workaround. Comments are permanently disabled on kids’ content.
3. You’re Not Signed In
YouTube requires you to be signed into a Google account to comment.
Fix: Sign in to your Google account. If you don’t have one, create a free account at accounts.google.com.
4. Age-Restricted Content
Some videos are age-restricted, which can limit commenting. If you’re signed into an account with an age under 18, you may not be able to comment.
Fix: Ensure your Google account has the correct birthdate set. Learn more in our guide on how to turn off age restriction on YouTube.
5. Your Comment Is Being Held for Review
Many creators use comment moderation, which holds comments containing certain keywords, links, or phrases for manual approval. Your comment may have been posted but is waiting for the creator to approve it.
Fix: Wait for the creator to review it. Avoid using links, all caps, or potentially flagged words in your comments.
6. YouTube’s Spam Filter Blocked Your Comment
YouTube has an automatic spam filter that can block comments it considers spam. This can happen if:
- Your comment contains links
- You’re posting the same or similar comments on multiple videos
- Your account is new with no activity
- Your comment is very long or contains certain keywords
Fix: Try posting a shorter, simpler comment without links. If your account is new, watch some videos and build up activity before commenting.
7. The Creator Blocked You
Channel creators can block specific users from commenting on their videos. If you’ve been blocked, you can still see the video but can’t comment.
Fix: Your comments will appear to post successfully but won’t be visible to anyone else. If you suspect you’ve been blocked, there’s no notification from YouTube — the only indication is that other viewers can’t see your comments.
8. Browser or App Issues
Sometimes the comment section doesn’t load due to technical issues:
- Browser extensions (especially ad blockers) can interfere
- Outdated browser or app version
- Cache or cookie issues
- Poor internet connection
Fix:
- Try disabling browser extensions, especially ad blockers
- Clear your browser cache and cookies
- Try a different browser or the YouTube mobile app
- Update your browser or YouTube app to the latest version
- Check your internet connection
How to Check If You’re Shadowbanned
A “shadowban” means your comments post normally from your perspective but are invisible to everyone else. To check:
- Post a comment on a video
- Open the same video in an incognito/private browser window (not signed in)
- Look for your comment
- If it’s not there after a few minutes, your comment was likely filtered
If this happens consistently across different videos, your account may be flagged by YouTube’s spam system. Creating a new Google account or reducing your comment frequency may help.
For Creators: Managing Your Comments
If you’re a YouTube creator dealing with comment issues on your own videos:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click Settings > Community > Defaults
- Check your comment moderation settings
- Review held comments under Comments in the left sidebar
For more on optimizing your channel, check out our YouTube SEO guide and free YouTube tools.