How to Turn Off Comments on Instagram (Posts & Reels) 2026
Step-by-step guide to disable comments on Instagram posts and Reels in 2026. Control engagement and reduce spam.
To turn off comments on Instagram: for a new post, tap Advanced settings before sharing and enable Turn off commenting. For an existing post or Reel, open it, tap the three dots (⋯), then Turn off commenting. Comments are disabled; you can turn them back on the same way. This works for posts and Reels in 2026. Source: Instagram Help – comments.
Why Turn Off Comments on Instagram?
Turning off comments on Instagram stops people from commenting on a specific post or Reel. You might disable Instagram comments to reduce spam, avoid negativity, keep a post focused, or control engagement on sensitive content. When comments are off, the comment icon stays visible but no new comments can be added; you can turn comments back on anytime from the same menu (⋯ → Turn on commenting). This applies to both Instagram posts and Reels in 2026. For other controls see Instagram Restrict vs Block and Archive vs Delete.
How to Turn Off Comments on Instagram Posts
Turn off comments on a new post: When creating a post (photo or carousel), before you tap Share, tap Advanced settings (or Settings). Find Turn off commenting and turn it on. Then share the post. The post will go out with comments disabled.
Turn off comments on an existing post: Open the post on your profile or in your feed. Tap the three dots (⋯) at the top right. Tap Turn off commenting. Comments are now disabled. To turn them back on later, open the post again, tap ⋯, then Turn on commenting. Existing comments usually stay visible unless you delete them. For hiding or limiting who can comment site-wide, check Instagram Help – comment settings.
How to Turn Off Comments on Instagram Reels
To turn off comments on Instagram Reels: when creating a Reel, go through the editing steps until you reach the screen where you add a caption. Tap Advanced settings (or Settings). Turn on Turn off commenting, then share the Reel. The Reel will be published with Instagram Reels comments off.
For an existing Reel: open the Reel, tap the three dots (⋯), then Turn off commenting. Same as for posts. You can re-enable comments anytime via ⋯ → Turn on commenting. For Reel length and format see Instagram Reel length and Reel dimensions.
Turn Off Comments Before or After Posting
You can disable Instagram comments before or after publishing. Before posting: use Advanced settings when creating the post or Reel and turn on Turn off commenting. After posting: open the post or Reel, tap ⋯, then Turn off commenting. Both methods give the same result. Turning off commenting does not delete existing comments; it only stops new ones. To remove old comments you must delete them manually from the post.
Quick Reference: Turn Off Comments Instagram (2026)
Use this table for how to turn off comments on Instagram at a glance:
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| New post | Advanced settings → Turn off commenting → Share |
| Existing post | Open post → ⋯ → Turn off commenting |
| New Reel | Caption screen → Advanced settings → Turn off commenting → Share |
| Existing Reel | Open Reel → ⋯ → Turn off commenting |
Confirm options in the app; menu names may vary slightly by device. See Instagram Help – comments for official guidance.
FAQ: Turn Off Comments on Instagram
How do I turn off comments on Instagram?
For a new post: before sharing, tap Advanced settings and turn on Turn off commenting. For an existing post or Reel: open it, tap the three dots (⋯), then Turn off commenting. You can turn comments back on the same way.
Can you disable comments on Instagram Reels?
Yes. When posting a Reel, go to Advanced settings on the caption screen and turn on Turn off commenting. For an existing Reel, open it, tap ⋯, then Turn off commenting.
How do I turn off comments on an existing Instagram post?
Open the post, tap the three dots (⋯) at the top right, tap Turn off commenting. To re-enable, tap ⋯ again and tap Turn on commenting.
Can I turn off comments before posting on Instagram?
Yes. When creating a post, tap Advanced settings (or Settings) before you share, then enable Turn off commenting. The post will go out with comments disabled.
Why would I turn off Instagram comments?
Common reasons: reduce spam or negativity, control engagement on sensitive posts, avoid off-topic discussions, or keep a feed focused. You can turn comments back on anytime from the post menu (⋯).
Does turning off comments hide existing comments?
Turning off commenting stops new comments. Existing comments usually stay visible unless you delete them. To hide or remove old comments, delete them manually from the post.