Comments can be a beautiful thing. They turn your posts into a conversation, invite feedback, and help you build a little community around your site. But let’s be honest, not every WordPress site actually needs a comment section. Sometimes, it just attracts spam, rude trolls, or an endless pile of extra work for you to moderate every day.
If you have ever logged in to find your comments full of strange messages about miracle diet pills or suspicious backlinks, you know exactly what I mean. So it makes perfect sense that you might want to disable comments in WordPress entirely.
In this guide, you will see how to disable comments in WordPress step by step. By the time you finish reading, your site will feel lighter and cleaner, with no spam or unwanted noise. Just your great content, exactly how you want it.
In this Blog
Understanding WordPress Comment Settings
Before you rush to disable comments in WordPress, it helps to peek under the hood and see how WordPress handles comments by default. Once you know where everything lives, you can switch things off like a pro.
Understanding WordPress Comment Settings
When you first install WordPress, here’s what usually happens:
✅ Posts: Comments are ON by default. Great for blogs and news updates. ✅ Pages: Comments are OFF. Perfect for About pages, Contact pages, or landing pages.
Everything about comments lives inside your WordPress dashboard under Settings > Discussion. This little area controls who can comment, when, and how. Here are a few gems you will find there:
🔹 Allow people to submit comments on new posts: toggle this to stop comments on future posts. 🔹 Comment author must fill out name and email: keeps random bots away. 🔹 Comment must be manually approved: gives you full control over what appears. 🔹 Hold a comment in the queue if it contains certain words or links: perfect for blocking spammy phrases.
Some folks like tweaking these tools instead of fully choosing to disable comments in WordPress. Maybe you still want genuine feedback but hate spam. These settings give you that balance.
Now that you know how the settings work, you are ready to take control. Next up, let’s see how to stop comments on brand-new posts and pages in just a few clicks.
1️⃣ How to Disable Comments on New Posts and Pages
If you want to keep your site looking fresh and free from spam, the best place to start is to disable comments in WordPress for all new posts and pages. This way, you stop comments from piling up before they even begin.
Here’s how you can do it step by step:
📝 1. Go to Discussion Settings
Log in to your WordPress dashboard and head to Settings > Discussion. This is where WordPress hides all its comment magic.
🚫 2. Uncheck the Comment Option
Find the option that says Allow people to submit comments on new posts. Uncheck this box to stop comments on every new post you create from now on.
How to Disable Comments on New Posts and Pages
📌 3. Double-check Your Pages
By default, WordPress pages do not allow comments, but some themes can sneak them back in. When creating a page, click Screen Options at the top of your editor. Make sure the Discussion box is checked, scroll down, and uncheck Allow comments for that page.
Once you disable comments in WordPress for new posts and pages, you won’t have to worry about fresh spam rolling in. Next up, let’s tackle the old posts and pages still showing those pesky comment boxes.
2️⃣ How to Turn Off Comments on Existing Posts and Pages
So you have stopped comments on new posts, but what about the old ones still sitting there, gathering spam and random thoughts? No worries. You can easily disable comments in WordPress for all existing posts and pages too.
Here is how to do it step by step:
🔄 1. Bulk Edit Posts
Head to your Posts section in the WordPress dashboard. Click on All Posts. Use the checkboxes to select the posts you want to update. At the top, find Bulk Actions, choose Edit, and hit Apply.
In the new bulk edit screen, look for Comments and switch it to Do not allow. Click Update and just like that, your old posts lose their comment boxes.
📄 2. Bulk Edit Pages
This works the same way for pages. Go to Pages, select all the pages you want to update, and repeat the steps above.
How to Disable Comments on Existing Posts and Pages
🧹 3. Check Individually (Optional)
If you want to double-check, open any old post or page in the editor, find the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments.
Taking a few minutes to disable comments in WordPress for old content keeps your site fresh, clean, and troll-free. Up next, let’s see how plugins can make this job even easier.
3️⃣ Using a Plugin to Disable Comments Site-Wide
Sometimes you just want to flick a switch and instantly disable comments in WordPress everywhere. This is where a good plugin comes in handy. It saves you from hunting through settings and old posts one by one.
🛠️ 1. Pick a Reliable Plugin
There are plenty of free plugins that disable comments with one click. A popular option is Disable Comments. Just install the WordPress plugin from your Plugins > Add New area, activate it, and follow the simple instructions.
🎛️ 2. Adjust the Plugin Settings
Most disable-comment plugins give you options to: ✔️ Remove comments from posts, pages, or media. ✔️ Hide comment forms and existing comments. ✔️ Clean up comment-related widgets and admin links.
Using a Plugin to Disable Comments Site-Wide
You can fine-tune it based on what you want. For example, maybe you only want to turn comments off for pages but keep them for posts.
⚡ 3. Test and Relax
Once you set it up, check your site. No comment boxes anywhere, no spam to clean up — just a neat, focused website.
💡 Pro Tip: While you are managing plugins, you might enjoy checking out these Best WordPress Automation Plugins to simplify other tasks too. If you ever want to customize your login page, here is a handy guide on How to Customize WordPress Login Page Without Code. Small tweaks like these keep your site looking professional and easy to manage.
4️⃣ How to Remove the Comment Box from Your Theme
Sometimes even after you disable comments in WordPress through the dashboard or a plugin, that pesky comment box still pops up on certain posts or pages. This often happens because some themes hard-code comment templates that ignore your settings. But don’t worry, you can fix it in minutes.
How to Remove the Comment Box from Your Theme
🔧 1. Check Theme Settings First
Many themes come with their own comment controls. Head to Appearance > Customize and look for sections like Post Settings or Layout. Some themes let you toggle the comment section off for posts, pages, or both.
🗂️ 2. Edit the Page or Post
Sometimes, you just need to open the page or post editor, scroll to the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments. If you do not see the Discussion box, click Screen Options at the top and enable it.
💻 3. Remove It with a Tiny Code Tweak
If the comment box still appears, you might need a small code edit. You can either adjust your comments.php template or hide it with CSS. Not sure how? Here’s a neat starter if you like learning new tricks: How to Add Custom Code Snippets to the functions.php File in just a few steps.
Can I disable comments on just one post in WordPress?
Yes! Open the post editor, find the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments. Done.
What if my theme keeps showing comment boxes?
Check your theme settings first. If that fails, use a plugin or tweak your template with a simple code edit.
Are there risks to disabling comments in WordPress?
Not really. Just remember you might lose genuine feedback and interaction. Some creators move the chat to social media instead.
✅ Conclusion: Should You Turn Off Comments Completely?
Deciding whether to disable comments in WordPress is really about what works best for you and your site’s vibe. Some sites thrive on active conversations, while others just need clean pages with no distractions or spam.
The good news is, you have total control. You can stop comments on new posts, clean up old ones, use plugins to make it effortless, or just tweak your settings to keep spam at bay.
Whatever you choose, you now have all the tools to keep your site tidy, stress-free, and focused on what matters most, your awesome content. Happy blogging!
Disable Comments in WordPress (4 Complete Methods)
Comments can be a beautiful thing. They turn your posts into a conversation, invite feedback, and help you build a little community around your site. But let’s be honest, not every WordPress site actually needs a comment section. Sometimes, it just attracts spam, rude trolls, or an endless pile of extra work for you to moderate every day.
If you have ever logged in to find your comments full of strange messages about miracle diet pills or suspicious backlinks, you know exactly what I mean. So it makes perfect sense that you might want to disable comments in WordPress entirely.
In this guide, you will see how to disable comments in WordPress step by step. By the time you finish reading, your site will feel lighter and cleaner, with no spam or unwanted noise. Just your great content, exactly how you want it.
In this Blog
Understanding WordPress Comment Settings
Before you rush to disable comments in WordPress, it helps to peek under the hood and see how WordPress handles comments by default. Once you know where everything lives, you can switch things off like a pro.
When you first install WordPress, here’s what usually happens:
✅ Posts: Comments are ON by default. Great for blogs and news updates.
✅ Pages: Comments are OFF. Perfect for About pages, Contact pages, or landing pages.
Everything about comments lives inside your WordPress dashboard under Settings > Discussion. This little area controls who can comment, when, and how. Here are a few gems you will find there:
🔹 Allow people to submit comments on new posts: toggle this to stop comments on future posts.
🔹 Comment author must fill out name and email: keeps random bots away.
🔹 Comment must be manually approved: gives you full control over what appears.
🔹 Hold a comment in the queue if it contains certain words or links: perfect for blocking spammy phrases.
Some folks like tweaking these tools instead of fully choosing to disable comments in WordPress. Maybe you still want genuine feedback but hate spam. These settings give you that balance.
Now that you know how the settings work, you are ready to take control. Next up, let’s see how to stop comments on brand-new posts and pages in just a few clicks.
1️⃣ How to Disable Comments on New Posts and Pages
If you want to keep your site looking fresh and free from spam, the best place to start is to disable comments in WordPress for all new posts and pages. This way, you stop comments from piling up before they even begin.
Here’s how you can do it step by step:
📝 1. Go to Discussion Settings
Log in to your WordPress dashboard and head to Settings > Discussion. This is where WordPress hides all its comment magic.
🚫 2. Uncheck the Comment Option
Find the option that says Allow people to submit comments on new posts. Uncheck this box to stop comments on every new post you create from now on.
📌 3. Double-check Your Pages
By default, WordPress pages do not allow comments, but some themes can sneak them back in. When creating a page, click Screen Options at the top of your editor. Make sure the Discussion box is checked, scroll down, and uncheck Allow comments for that page.
Once you disable comments in WordPress for new posts and pages, you won’t have to worry about fresh spam rolling in. Next up, let’s tackle the old posts and pages still showing those pesky comment boxes.
2️⃣ How to Turn Off Comments on Existing Posts and Pages
So you have stopped comments on new posts, but what about the old ones still sitting there, gathering spam and random thoughts? No worries. You can easily disable comments in WordPress for all existing posts and pages too.
Here is how to do it step by step:
🔄 1. Bulk Edit Posts
Head to your Posts section in the WordPress dashboard. Click on All Posts. Use the checkboxes to select the posts you want to update. At the top, find Bulk Actions, choose Edit, and hit Apply.
In the new bulk edit screen, look for Comments and switch it to Do not allow. Click Update and just like that, your old posts lose their comment boxes.
📄 2. Bulk Edit Pages
This works the same way for pages. Go to Pages, select all the pages you want to update, and repeat the steps above.
🧹 3. Check Individually (Optional)
If you want to double-check, open any old post or page in the editor, find the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments.
Taking a few minutes to disable comments in WordPress for old content keeps your site fresh, clean, and troll-free. Up next, let’s see how plugins can make this job even easier.
3️⃣ Using a Plugin to Disable Comments Site-Wide
Sometimes you just want to flick a switch and instantly disable comments in WordPress everywhere. This is where a good plugin comes in handy. It saves you from hunting through settings and old posts one by one.
🛠️ 1. Pick a Reliable Plugin
There are plenty of free plugins that disable comments with one click. A popular option is Disable Comments. Just install the WordPress plugin from your Plugins > Add New area, activate it, and follow the simple instructions.
🎛️ 2. Adjust the Plugin Settings
Most disable-comment plugins give you options to:
✔️ Remove comments from posts, pages, or media.
✔️ Hide comment forms and existing comments.
✔️ Clean up comment-related widgets and admin links.
You can fine-tune it based on what you want. For example, maybe you only want to turn comments off for pages but keep them for posts.
⚡ 3. Test and Relax
Once you set it up, check your site. No comment boxes anywhere, no spam to clean up — just a neat, focused website.
4️⃣ How to Remove the Comment Box from Your Theme
Sometimes even after you disable comments in WordPress through the dashboard or a plugin, that pesky comment box still pops up on certain posts or pages. This often happens because some themes hard-code comment templates that ignore your settings. But don’t worry, you can fix it in minutes.
🔧 1. Check Theme Settings First
Many themes come with their own comment controls. Head to Appearance > Customize and look for sections like Post Settings or Layout. Some themes let you toggle the comment section off for posts, pages, or both.
🗂️ 2. Edit the Page or Post
Sometimes, you just need to open the page or post editor, scroll to the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments. If you do not see the Discussion box, click Screen Options at the top and enable it.
💻 3. Remove It with a Tiny Code Tweak
If the comment box still appears, you might need a small code edit. You can either adjust your comments.php template or hide it with CSS. Not sure how? Here’s a neat starter if you like learning new tricks: How to Add Custom Code Snippets to the functions.php File in just a few steps.
✨ 4. Bonus Cleanup
If you love polishing every corner of your site, you might want to speed up your site with these Easy Ways To Speed Up WordPress Website. If you are battling spam, you might also want to tighten up your site’s security overall. Check out these Best WordPress Security Plugins to lock down your whole site. Or take it a step further with Best WordPress Malware Removal Plugins for extra peace of mind.
FAQs
Can I disable comments on just one post in WordPress?
Yes! Open the post editor, find the Discussion box, and uncheck Allow comments. Done.
What if my theme keeps showing comment boxes?
Check your theme settings first. If that fails, use a plugin or tweak your template with a simple code edit.
Are there risks to disabling comments in WordPress?
Not really. Just remember you might lose genuine feedback and interaction. Some creators move the chat to social media instead.
✅ Conclusion: Should You Turn Off Comments Completely?
Deciding whether to disable comments in WordPress is really about what works best for you and your site’s vibe. Some sites thrive on active conversations, while others just need clean pages with no distractions or spam.
The good news is, you have total control. You can stop comments on new posts, clean up old ones, use plugins to make it effortless, or just tweak your settings to keep spam at bay.
Whatever you choose, you now have all the tools to keep your site tidy, stress-free, and focused on what matters most, your awesome content. Happy blogging!
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