It can be frustrating when you’re ready to drop a witty reply only to find the comment box is missing. There are a few different reasons why this happens, ranging from creator settings to technical glitches.
Here are the most likely reasons you can’t comment on YouTube Shorts:
1. The Creator Disabled Comments
Creators have the option to turn off comments for individual videos or their entire channel. They might do this to:
- Avoid spam or negative discussions.
- Focus purely on the video content.
- Keep the section “muted” for a specific period.
2. Made for Kids Content
If a video is marked as Made for Kids (to comply with laws like COPPA), YouTube automatically disables comments to protect minors.
Note: Sometimes YouTube’s AI mistakenly flags videos (like those with pets or bright colors) as “Made for Kids”, which shuts down the comments even if the creator didn’t intend it.
3. Account Restrictions & Safety
- Supervised Accounts: If you are using a supervised account (managed by a parent via Family Link), commenting is often disabled by default to ensure safety.
- Spam Filters: If you’ve been commenting very frequently, YouTube’s automated systems might temporarily “shadowban” or restrict your ability to comment to prevent bot-like behavior.
4. Technical Glitches or Outdated Apps
Sometimes the Comment button or sidebar simply fails to load.
- App Updates: If your YouTube app is out of date, UI elements for Shorts can break.
- Cache Issues: A clogged app cache can lead to missing buttons. Try clearing the cache in your phone settings or restarting the app.
5. Restricted Mode
If you or your network administrator has enabled Restricted Mode, comments are often hidden to filter out potentially mature content.
Depending on whether you’re using a phone or a computer, the steps are a little different. Restricted Mode is a browser/app-level setting, so you might have it “Off” on your laptop but “On” on your phone.
Here is how to check and disable it:
On Mobile (Android & iPhone)
- Open the YouTube app and tap your Profile icon (usually in the bottom-right corner).
- Tap the Settings gear in the top-right corner.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down to Restricted Mode and toggle the switch to Off.
On Desktop (Web Browser)
- Go to youtube.com and click your Profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Look at the bottom of the dropdown menu. You’ll see Restricted Mode.
- Click it, and then toggle the Activate Restricted Mode switch to Off.
If it’s already OFF but you still can’t comment: On desktop, there is a known glitch where the comment box disappears if your browser is zoomed in too much. Try pressing Ctrl + 0 (or Cmd + 0 on Mac) to reset your zoom to 100%.
6. Clickable Link
YouTube has officially disabled all clickable links in Shorts comments and descriptions to stop phishing scams. Because of this, their automated systems are hypersensitive. If your account has a history of posting links (even safe ones), you might be temporarily “shadow-paused” from commenting on Shorts specifically.
7. Verification Requirements
In some regions, YouTube now requires Identity Verification or a certain amount of “Channel History” before you can interact with high-traffic areas like the Shorts feed. If you have a brand-new account or haven’t verified your phone number, you might be restricted to “view only” for a few weeks.
8. Zoom & Reading Mode
If you are on a Desktop/Browser, try these two weird but effective fixes:
- Zoom to 90%: Many users have reported that at 100% zoom, the comment sidebar gets pushed off-screen or fails to render. Press
Ctrl+-(orCmd+-on Mac) to zoom out slightly. - Reading Mode: Right-click the video and see if your browser offers “Open in Reading Mode.” Sometimes this forces the text elements (like comments) to load when the main player is glitching.
9. Shorts UI Bug
Sometimes the UI for Shorts just breaks. Try clicking on the Channel Name to go to their main page, find that same video under their “Videos” or “Shorts” tab, and try commenting there. The standard video player often works when the Shorts player glitches out.