How do I fix WordPress ‘Comments are Closed’?

May, 6, 2011

Posted by George
4 Comments

I recently posted several blogs, only to find after customizing them that several of them had comments closed, as I could see at the bottom:

“Comments are closed”

After going through WordPress Settings > Discussion and double-checking each check box was properly checked (or not) I searched and found this post: http://wordpress.org/support/topic/comments-are-closed-i-cant-open-them-and-there-are-no-universal-settings

STEP 1: Click to Enlarge

The post seemed helpful, but after turning off all plugins, switching back to the Twenty Ten (default) theme and repairing all tables in the WordPress database I was still staring at some “Comments are closed” notifications on some pages, while on others comments were open.

Following the original poster’s idea I went through and changed the comments to open via the WordPress database, but I still had other blogs to do, so I started hunting.

STEP 2: Click to Enlarge

I knew there was an option on the post to allow comments and pingbacks but couldn’t find it. After some digging around I noticed the Screen Options button on the admin bar at the top. Opening it I was rewarded with a checkbox for “Discussion” which was not checked. Naturally I checked the box, closed the panel and was rewarded with the option to allow comments and pingbacks with checkboxes!

STEP 3: Click to Enlarge


This may not be the fix for every case, but it sure helped me. Now I have a simpler way to visit each post and change its settings to get rid of the annoying “Comments are closed” message. There is another way to so this using SQL, but this is simpler and can be accomplished by bloggers and coders of all experience levels.

THE FIX
If you don’t feel like viewing the step-by-step screenshots, while you are logged in and editing a post go to the top, right and cick Screen Options and a dropdown will open. Make sure you check the Allow Comments check box and if you so desire you could also check the Allow Trackbacks and pingbacks on this page check box.

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Posted in Blogging by George | 4 Comments

4 Comments "How do I fix WordPress ‘Comments are Closed’?"

  • Shasta says:
    June 23, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    Thank you!! I’d hunted, double-checked my PHP, double-checked my settings, and really didn’t want to start turning off every plugin as some are core to the look and feel of the site.

    This was just exactly the right tip!

  • Ygam Retuta says:
    August 22, 2011 at 3:43 am

    THANKS A LOT DUDE! I SPENT 2 HOURS TRYING TO FIND THIS AND I EVEN HAD TO PUT THIS IN CAPS LOCK JUST SO YOU KNOW HOW GRATEFUL I AM! THANK YOU!

  • Zennmaster says:
    August 31, 2011 at 1:05 pm

    Wooo Hooooo!

    Thank You!

    I awoke to the dreaded “Comments are closed”, and this post has saved my day.

    THANK YOU!!!!

  • Daniel Andersen says:
    February 2, 2012 at 4:37 am

    Thanks very much! This helped me with the closed comment issue I was having on my most recent post.

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