Disable Comments

Completely disable comments across your entire WordPress site. This module removes all comment functionality, hiding it from the frontend, admin, and database interactions.

Use Cases

  • Eliminate comment spam on a corporate website where discussions aren’t needed
  • Simplify a portfolio site where feedback comes through contact forms instead
  • Remove comment moderation workload from brochure-style business sites
  • Prevent spam on a site that doesn’t benefit from public comments
  • Clean up the admin interface by removing unnecessary comment menus

How It Works

When enabled, this module:

  1. Disables comment support on all post types
  2. Closes comments on all existing posts
  3. Removes the Comments menu from the admin
  4. Hides the comments icon from the admin bar
  5. Removes the Recent Comments dashboard widget
  6. Disables pingbacks and trackbacks

All changes are automatic — no configuration needed.

Where to Find It

Location: Simply enable the module in Switchboard. There are no settings to configure.

What Gets Disabled

FeatureStatus
Comment formsHidden from all posts/pages
Existing commentsNo longer displayed
Comments admin menuRemoved
Admin bar commentsRemoved
Dashboard comments widgetRemoved
PingbacksDisabled
TrackbacksDisabled
Comment RSS feedsDisabled

Before & After

Admin Menu

Before: Posts, Media, Pages, Comments, Appearance… After: Posts, Media, Pages, Appearance…

Admin Bar

Before: Shows comment notification bubble After: Clean admin bar without comment indicators

Post Editor

Before: Discussion metabox with comment options After: No comment-related settings

Frontend

Before: Comment form and existing comments displayed After: No comment section visible

Important Notes

Existing Comments

Your existing comments are not deleted — they’re just hidden. If you disable this module later, your comments will reappear. To permanently delete comments, use a database cleanup tool.

Theme Compatibility

Most themes automatically hide the comment section when comments are disabled. However, some themes hardcode comment templates. If you still see comment-related elements:

  1. Check your theme’s template files
  2. Use CSS to hide remaining elements:
.comments-area,
#comments,
.comment-form {
    display: none !important;
}

Contact Forms

This module only affects WordPress’s built-in comment system. Contact forms (Contact Form 7, WPForms, Gravity Forms, etc.) are unaffected and continue to work normally.

Alternatives to Comments

If you’re disabling comments but still want user interaction:

AlternativeBest For
Contact FormPrivate inquiries, support requests
Social MediaPublic discussions, sharing
Email NewsletterBuilding direct relationships
Forum PluginCommunity discussions (bbPress)
Feedback WidgetQuick reactions, ratings

FAQ

Will this delete my existing comments?No. Existing comments remain in your database but aren’t displayed. Disable the module to show them again. To permanently delete comments, use a database optimization tool.
Does this affect custom post types?Yes, comments are disabled on ALL post types including custom ones. This ensures complete removal of comment functionality.
Can I disable comments on just some posts?This module is all-or-nothing. If you need selective control, use WordPress’s built-in Discussion settings instead: Settings → Discussion and individual post settings.
Why do I still see a comments link in my theme?Some themes have hardcoded comment links in their templates. Use the CSS snippet above to hide them, or check with your theme developer.
Does this block comment spam bots?Yes! With no comment form to submit to, spam bots have nowhere to post. This is more effective than any spam filter since the entry point is completely removed.

If your main goal is fighting spam, try this module first. It’s the most effective solution — you can’t get comment spam if there’s no comment form.

This module affects the entire site. There’s no way to enable comments on specific posts while keeping them disabled elsewhere. For selective control, use WordPress’s built-in discussion settings instead.

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