Disable Comments

By default WordPress comments are activated and added to each post or page. To disable comments on a single post or page, edit the post or page in question, locate the Discussion meta box uncheck the Allow comments field.

Classic Editor

The Discussion meta box is located below the visual editor.

Discussion Metabox
Disable Allow comments to remove comments from a page or post.

If you can’t find the Discussion meta box below the Visual editor, click the Screen Options drop-down at the top right of your screen and make sure that the Discussion field is checked. Remember, Screen Options don’t directly control settings, they just control which settings are visible on your page. So checking or un-checking the Discussion field in Screen Options won’t disable or enable comments. It’ll just control whether you can see the Discussion meta box below the Visual Editor.

Discussion Screen Options
Discussion must be checked in order for the setting to be visible under the Visual editor.

Block Editor

The Discussion meta box is located in the right column.

Disable comments in the Discussion meta box located in the right column.

If you can’t find the Discussion meta box in the right column, click the menu button (three dots) on the far right of the top bar. Next, click Options to view page options. Under the Document Panels heading ensure that Discussion is enabled.

Open the Options menu to locate the Document Panels section.

Finally, ensure Discussion is enabled under the Document Panels heading.

Ensure Discussion is enabled.

Remember, Document Panels don’t directly control settings, they just control which settings are visible on your page. So checking or un-checking the Discussion field in Document Panels options won’t disable or enable comments. It’ll just control whether you can see the Discussion meta box in the right column

Globally Disable Comments

To globally disable comments for new pages or posts, navigate to SettingsDiscussion and uncheck: Allow people to post comments on new articles.

WordPress Discussion Settings
Un-check Allow people to post comments on new articles to disable comments globally.

This setting only applies to new pages or posts. To disable comments for existing pages or posts, you’ll need to individually do so as described above.

For more on comments, please see Comments in WordPress.

Disable Comments Plugin

If you’d like one simple method of globally deactivating comments in your WordPress installation you might try the Disable Comments plugin by Samir Shah. To install, go to PluginsAdd New and search (top right) for Disable Comments. Once activated go to SettingsDisable Comments and enable as required.

Last updated: 17/11/2019