How to Turn On Comments on Facebook Reels

Wondering why your latest Facebook Reel feels like it's being shouted into the void? If you're not getting any engagement, it might be because your comments are turned off. This simple setting can be the difference between a video that sparks conversation and one that goes silent. This guide will walk you through exactly how to turn on comments for your Facebook Reels, adjust your global settings so they stay on, and manage the feedback once it starts rolling in.

Why Aren't Comments Showing Up on My Facebook Reels?

Before jumping into the fix, it helps to understand why your comments might be disabled in the first place. Typically, it comes down to one of two reasons: a specific setting on the individual Reel or a broader privacy setting on your entire profile or page. Sometimes, you might accidentally turn comments off during the upload process. Other times, your account-wide settings for who can interact with your public content might be too restrictive, preventing anyone outside your immediate circle from leaving a comment.

Think of it like having a 'Friends Only' party. If your settings are locked down, only the people you've invited can join the conversation. For creators and brands aiming for growth, the goal is to open the doors so everyone can participate. Let's get those settings sorted out so your community can start talking.

How to Turn On Comments for a Specific Facebook Reel

The most direct way to manage comments is on a reel-by-reel basis. You can do this either just before you share a new Reel or by editing one you've already published.

Step-by-Step: Enabling Comments Before You Post

When you're in the creative flow, it’s easy to overlook a small toggle. Here’s how to make sure comments are enabled from the start:

1. Create Your Reel: Open the Facebook app and navigate to the Reel creation tool. Add your video, music, effects, and text as you normally would.
2. Navigate to the Share Screen: Once your video is ready, tap "Next." This will take you to the final screen where you write your caption, add hashtags, and set the Reel’s visibility.
3. Check Your Audience and Comment Settings: Below your caption box, you'll see an Audience setting (e.g., Public, Friends). Right near that, there should be an option for managing comments. It might appear as a simple toggle labeled "Comments" or a clickable menu. Make sure this is set to ON. Your Reel will not be able to gather public engagement if this is off.
4. Share Your Reel: With comments enabled, go ahead and hit the "Share Now" button. Your video will go live with comments fully activated, ready for your audience to engage.

Step-by-Step: Enabling Comments on a Reel You've Already Posted

Did you post a Reel and only later realize nobody could comment on it? Don't worry, it's an easy fix.

1. Find Your Reel: Go to your Facebook profile or page and locate the Reel you want to edit. You can find it in your feed, on the "Reels" tab of your profile, or within Facebook Watch.
2. Open the Options Menu: Tap the three-dot icon (...) at the bottom-right corner of your Reel. This will open a menu with several options.
3. Turn On Commenting: Look for an option that says "Turn on commenting." If you see it, tap it, and you're done! The setting will update immediately, and people will be able to leave comments.
4. Use the 'Edit' Menu (if needed): If you don't see the direct "Turn on commenting" option, tap on "Edit Reel" or "Edit." Within the editing screen, you should find the same comment settings you saw before posting. Make sure the toggle is switched on and save your changes.

This process works the same whether you're managing a personal profile or a business page, making it a quick solution for any Reel that needs its comments reactivated.

Adjusting Your Global Comment Settings for Facebook Reels

If you find that your comments are consistently defaulting to 'off,' a higher-level setting on your profile or page might be the culprit. These global settings control who can interact with all of your public content, including Reels. Adjusting this can save you from having to fix every Reel individually.

For a Personal Facebook Profile

Your personal profile has master controls for all public posts. If this is too restrictive, it affects your Reels' ability to generate wide engagement.

1. Go to Settings: On the Facebook app, tap your profile picture or the hamburger menu (☰) in the bottom-right or top-right corner. Then navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. Find Audience and Visibility: Scroll down to the "Audience and Visibility" section and tap on "Followers and public content."
3. Check Public Post Comments: In this menu, look for the "Public Post Comments" setting. This option determines who can comment on anything you share publicly. You’ll have a few choices:
   • Public: Anyone on or off Facebook can comment. This setting provides the most opportunity for engagement and reach.
   • Friends: Only your Facebook friends can comment.
   • Friends of Friends: Your friends and their friends can comment.
4. Select Your Preference: For maximum engagement, setting this to Public is your best bet. If you prefer to keep the conversation a little closer, Friends of Friends is a good middle ground. After you select it, the change is saved automatically.

For a Facebook Business Page

Business Pages operate differently than personal profiles. Commenting is usually on by default for public content because the goal is community engagement. However, advanced settings or moderation tools can sometimes hide or block comments, making it seem like they’re turned off.

1. Access Your Page Settings: Navigate to your Facebook Business Page. Tap "Manage" near the top of the page, then scroll down and go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
2. Review Privacy and Public Post Settings: In the Page Settings menu, find sections related to "Privacy" or "Public Posts." Here, you can confirm that your Page allows posts and comments from visitors.
3. Check Your Content Moderation Filter: The most common issue on Pages isn't that comments are off, but that they're being automatically hidden. Stay in your Page Settings and find the "Content Moderation" option. Here you can manage your Profanity Filter and a list of specific keywords. If this filter is set too aggressively, it could be hiding legitimate comments. Review your blocked words to make sure you're not unintentionally filtering out normal conversation.

By ensuring your Page is open to public interaction and your filters are reasonable, you create a welcoming environment for comments on all your Reels.

Beyond Just Turning Them On: How to Effectively Manage Comments

Enabling comments is just step one. The real magic happens when you treat your comment section as a community hub. Simply letting comments exist isn't enough, actively managing them is what builds brand loyalty and drives the algorithm to show your Reel to more people.

Spark the Conversation with a Call-to-Action

Don't just post your Reel and hope for the best. Nudge your viewers to participate! End your Reel with a question or include one in your caption. Simple prompts work wonders:

• "Have you ever tried this? Let me know below!"
• "What's your number one tip for _______?"
• "Which one is your favorite? Tell me in the comments!"

This simple act gives people a reason to stop scrolling and start typing.

Engage, Engage, Engage!

When comments do come in, reply to them! Replying quickly - even with a simple "Thanks!" or an emoji - shows your audience you're listening. This also signals to Facebook's algorithm that your content is valuable and engaging, which can give your Reel a significant boost in visibility. The best practice is to respond to as many comments as you can, especially within the first few hours of posting.

Use Moderation Tools to Keep Your Community Safe

A thriving comment section needs to feel like a safe and positive space. Facebook provides tools to help you maintain that environment.

• Hiding Comments: If you receive a rude or spammy comment, you can long-press it and select "Hide." The original commenter and their friends can still see it, but it becomes invisible to everyone else. This is often better than deleting, which can sometimes escalate the situation.
• Filtering Words: As mentioned for Pages, you can set up a list of words and phrases to automatically hide. Go to your settings to manage your Content Moderation list. This is perfect for filtering out profanity, spam links, or common slurs automatically without you having to monitor every single comment 24/7.
• Blocking Users: For repeat offenders, don't hesitate to block the user. This removes their previous comments and prevents them from interacting with your content in the future.

Final Thoughts

Turning on comments on your Facebook Reels is a simple technical step that unlocks the door to community and growth. By checking settings on both individual Reels and your overall profile, you remove barriers to conversation. But the real work begins after that switch is flipped, as you actively foster a positive and engaging comments section.

We know that managing a flood of comments across Facebook Reels, Instagram posts, and TikToks can feel chaotic. Scaling your engagement is a real challenge, which is why we built Postbase with a unified inbox at its core. It gathers all your comments and DMs from every platform into one streamlined view, so you can respond faster, collaborate with your team, and make sure no message from a potential fan or customer slips through the cracks.