Facebook Comments Not Loading? Every Fix Facebook Suggests

You open a post, see that it has comments, and the box underneath just spins, stays empty or shows only a few replies. It's annoying for anyone, and it's a real problem if you're answering customers on a business Page.

Facebook doesn't have one article called comments not loading, so I've pulled together what its help centre says for things not working in general, plus the commenting rules that can make comments look as though they've vanished. I've kept them in the order I'd try them, quick checks first.

Where Facebook comments fail to load

Before you change anything, work out which of these you're seeing, because the fix differs:

• The comments area spins forever or stays blank.
• The post shows a comment count, but you see fewer comments than that.
• Comments appear in a strange order, with newer ones missing from the top.
• You can see comments on a computer but not in the app, or the other way round.
• Comments on a live video are missing or won't let you post.

The first and fifth are usually technical. The second to fourth are often settings or limits, which is why the later sections matter.

Quick Facebook checks when comments won't load on a computer

Facebook's help centre lists these steps for something not working on a computer, in this order:

1. Refresh the page.
2. Close the page and reopen it.
3. Clear your cache by going to your browser settings.
4. Try again with a different browser. If you're on Chrome, try Firefox.
5. Restart your computer.

The refresh and reopen steps are fast, so start there. If those don't help, the cache step is the one most likely to fix it, since Facebook says a problem with how it looks in your browser could be a cache or temporary data issue.

Clearing the cache and checking extensions for Facebook comments

Facebook's help article on a browser display problem says you can fix it by clearing your cache and temporary data from your browser's settings or preferences. The steps depend on your browser version and operating system, and the help centre lists Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari and Opera.

It also says that if clearing the cache doesn't solve it, third-party browser extensions may be the cause. Facebook recommends disabling those add-ons before opening the site again, and trying a different web browser. Ad blockers and privacy tools are the add-ons I'd check first.

Quick checks when Facebook comments won't load on iPhone or iPad

For Apple devices, the help centre's list is:

1. Update the app. If you're having trouble downloading it, check your internet connection, and for best results connect to Wi-Fi first.
2. Make sure you're connected to a reliable data or Wi-Fi network.
3. Close the app and reopen it.
4. Restart your device.

Quick checks when Facebook comments won't load on Android

For Android, Facebook's list is almost the same:

1. Update the Facebook or Facebook Lite app. If the download is a problem, check your connection and try Wi-Fi.
2. Make sure you're connected to a reliable data or Wi-Fi network.
3. Close the app and reopen it.
4. Restart your device.

If you're using Facebook in a phone's browser rather than the app, the help centre says to refresh the page, close the page and reopen it, clear your cache, try a different browser and restart your device.

Why Facebook comments may be in a different order or hidden

Not every missing comment is a loading fault. Facebook's help centre says that for profiles with a large number of followers, personalised comment ranking is turned on, so the most relevant comments appear first. Comments from friends or verified profiles and Pages, and comments with the most likes or replies, appear at the top. If comment ranking is off, comments display in most recent order.

That means a comment you're looking for may simply be further down, not missing. Look for the sorting menu above the comments if you see one.

Hiding is another cause. Facebook says that when a comment on a post is hidden, it remains visible to the person who wrote it and their friends, but it's hidden from everyone else. So a person can see their own comment while you can't. Page admins can find hidden comments from a computer or the Android app, under a view called Hidden by this Page.

When Facebook limits comments on a live video

If the comments problem is on a live video, check Facebook's list of reasons commenting may be limited or blocked. The broadcaster can apply moderation settings, and Facebook lists these common reasons:

• You can only comment once every ten seconds.
• Comments must be a minimum length for that stream.
• You must follow the streamer before you can leave a comment.
• The stream is using protected mode, so you can join the conversation after following the broadcaster for at least 15 minutes.
• Your account must be at least two weeks old.
• The broadcaster may have limited your permission, or the original post may have been deleted.

Facebook says that list doesn't cover every reason a broadcaster may limit comments. It also says that if you leave a comment on the live stream of a Page you don't follow on the Facebook app, your comment won't be posted.

When you can't comment in a Facebook group

A group is another place where comments can be switched off for you. Facebook's help centre says your ability to post, comment or participate in a group may be restricted because a group admin has temporarily turned it off, or limited how often you can comment, or slowed down comments on a post. Facebook itself may also have temporarily turned off your ability to comment, which can be linked to its Community Standards.

Facebook suggests checking your Support Inbox for more information. If it removed your content and you don't think it broke the rules, you can usually request a review. If you manage groups for your business, my list of Facebook groups for marketers is a good place to see how active groups handle comments.

Reporting a Facebook comments bug when nothing works

If you've tried everything and comments still won't load, Facebook says it could be a bug or broken feature. You can report it by:

• On iPhone or Android: shaking your phone, then following the on-screen instructions.
• On a computer or iPad: going to Help and support and selecting Report a problem.
• In a mobile browser: tapping Report a problem.

Facebook also says something might not load correctly because of settings you or someone else set up, or because a feature isn't available to everyone yet, or because you've been blocked from doing something such as posting, commenting or sharing.

Checking a Facebook post before you decide comments are broken

Last, check the post itself. If the post was edited, archived or deleted, comments can behave oddly. My guide to finding archived Facebook posts explains where older posts may be sitting.

If you're running a Page, test with a second profile before telling customers the comments are down. That tells you whether it's your account, your device or Facebook.

I keep every related walkthrough in the Facebook Help: 80 Guides to Pages, Groups, Ads, Stories and Fixes.

Frequently asked questions

Why are Facebook comments not loading?

It could be a connection, app, cache or browser problem, or a comment setting. Facebook's help centre lists refreshing, reopening, clearing your cache, trying a different browser and restarting your device as first steps.

How do I fix Facebook comments not loading on my phone?

Update the Facebook app, check you're on a reliable data or Wi-Fi connection, close and reopen the app, then restart your device.

Why can I see fewer comments than the count shows?

Comment ranking may put the most relevant ones first, and hidden comments are visible only to the writer and their friends.

Why can't I comment on a Facebook live video?

The broadcaster may have limits, such as commenting once every ten seconds, followers only, or protected mode. Facebook says the list doesn't cover every reason.

How do I report a Facebook comments problem?

On iPhone or Android, shake your phone and follow the instructions. On a computer or iPad, go to Help and support and select Report a problem.