Why Can’t I See Comments on Instagram? Here’s How to Solve It
If you’ve asked why can't I see comments on Instagram, here are 8 easy fixes. Learn how to adjust filters, check restrictions, and solve app glitches.
Have you ever scrolled through a post and asked yourself, why can't I see comments on Instagram? You’re not alone.
Many people run into this problem, and it can feel frustrating when you want to join the conversation but the comment section looks empty. Sometimes the issue comes from the post itself, while other times it’s caused by filters, settings, or even a glitch in the app.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the most common reasons comments don’t appear and show you how to fix them. We’ll go step by step, using simple examples and easy-to-follow advice, so you can get back to reading, sharing, and connecting without stress.
Common Issues and Fixes for Missing Instagram Comments
When comments seem to disappear, there’s always a reason behind it. Sometimes it’s a choice the post owner made, other times it’s a setting in your own account, and occasionally it’s just Instagram acting up.
To make things clear, let’s go through each possible cause step by step and look at how you can solve it.
Comments Turned Off by the Post Owner
One of the most common reasons you might wonder why are there no comments on Instagram under a post is because the account owner disabled replies.
This setting removes the comment box completely, which can make the post look empty even when plenty of people saw it. Many creators or brands use this option when they want to avoid spam or keep the focus on the content itself.
How to fix it
Unfortunately, you can't turn comments back on if you're not the post owner. What you can do is confirm if this is the issue:
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Open the post and look for the comment box at the bottom. If it’s missing, commenting is disabled.
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Check another post from the same account. If that one allows replies, the empty post was intentionally locked.
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If it’s your own post, tap the three dots in the top right corner, choose More, and then select Turn on commenting.
Hidden Words Filter Blocking Comments
If you still can't see comments on Instagram, your privacy settings may be the reason. Instagram has a feature called Hidden Words that automatically blocks replies containing certain terms or phrases.
The goal is to keep your feed free from offensive or spammy content, but sometimes it hides more than you expect. For example, a harmless reply might disappear if it includes a word you added to your filter list.
This filter applies not only to your own posts but also to other people's posts. If their replies include words that match your filter list, those comments won't appear on your screen even though others can see them. That's why the same post may look normal to a friend but empty on your screen.
How to fix it
You can check this quickly in your settings:
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Open your profile and tap the three-line menu in the top right corner.
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Go to Settings and Privacy → Hidden Words.
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Review the words and phrases in your custom filter list.
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Toggle the filter off for a moment to see if missing comments appear.
If you start seeing more replies after turning it off, the filter was the cause. From there, you can edit your list to allow certain words or simply leave the filter disabled if you prefer to see everything.
Comment Limits Hiding Certain Replies
If you notice that Instagram comments not showing the way they should, the problem might be tied to a feature called Limits.
This setting is designed to protect you when your account gets a rush of attention. When active, it quietly holds back replies from new followers or people who don't follow you at all.
Imagine posting a Reel that suddenly takes off. Dozens of strangers may leave comments at once. Instead of letting all of them through, Instagram places many of these replies into a review area. To you, it looks like the section is missing half the conversation, but the comments are just waiting for approval.
How to fix it
Here’s how to review and adjust your Limits:
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Open your profile and tap the three-line menu in the top right.
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Go to Settings and Privacy → Limits.
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If Limits are on, you’ll see groups of people whose comments are restricted.
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Review the held-back replies and choose whether to approve them or leave them hidden.
If you often interact with new people, you may want to turn Limits off entirely. But if you prefer extra control, just remember to check the review area so you don’t miss genuine replies.
Restricted or Blocked Accounts
Sometimes missing comments come down to how relationships are managed on Instagram. If you restrict someone, their comments still appear on your post, but only you can see them until you choose to approve or delete them. To that person, it looks like everything posted normally.
Blocking works differently. When you block someone, their replies disappear from your view completely. You won’t see their comments on your posts, and you may also miss them on mutual posts where both of you interact.
How to fix it
You can check restrictions or blocks in your settings:
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Go to Settings and Privacy → Hidden Words → Restricted Accounts.
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Review the list and decide if you want to lift the restriction.
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For blocks, open Settings and Privacy → Blocked Accounts to see who is on your list.
If you’re worried about being on someone else’s block list, here’s how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram: search for their profile. If you can’t find it or view their posts while others can, there’s a good chance they’ve blocked you.
Comment Ranking and Sorting
When you scroll through a busy thread, Instagram doesn’t show comments in order of time. Instead, it highlights what it thinks are the “Most relevant.” These usually come from verified accounts, people the post owner follows, or comments with lots of likes.
While this helps spotlight popular replies, it can make new or smaller comments harder to find.
This ranking system explains why a post might look like it only has a handful of responses. The rest are still there, you just need to scroll deeper through the post.
How to fix it
Here’s what you can do:
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1. Open the post and tap on the comment count to view the full thread.
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2. Scroll all the way down, because newer replies often sit beneath the highlighted ones.
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3. As a creator, you can draw attention to meaningful replies by pinning them at the top. Learning how to pin a comment on Instagram is simple: tap and hold the reply, then select Pin.
This way, important comments don’t get buried, and your audience sees the best conversations first.
App or Device Issues
Sometimes comments don’t show up because of small problems with the app itself. An outdated version, a bug after an update, or even a corrupted cache can cause the comment section to load incorrectly. These issues can happen on both Android and iOS devices, and luckily they’re easy to fix.
How to fix it
Try these quick steps to refresh the app:
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1. Update Instagram - open the App Store or Google Play Store and make sure you’re on the latest version.
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2. Log out and back in - this often resets small glitches.
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3. Clear cache (Android only) - go to your phone’s settings, select Apps → Instagram → Storage → Clear cache.
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4. Offload or reinstall the app (iOS) - in your iPhone settings, go to General → iPhone Storage → Instagram, then choose Offload App or reinstall it.
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5. Restart your phone - sometimes a simple reboot clears temporary bugs.
Following these steps usually restores missing comments if the problem is linked to your device.
Technical Glitches or Outages
Sometimes the issue isn’t on your side at all. Instagram occasionally runs into problems that affect millions of people at once. During these outages, features like posting, messaging, or even viewing comments may stop working. If you suddenly can’t see replies across every post, there’s a good chance the platform itself is down.
How to fix it
Here’s how you can confirm an outage before spending time troubleshooting your own account:
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1. Check Instagram’s official channels - the Instagram Comms account on X (Twitter) often posts updates.
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2. Visit outage trackers - sites like Downdetector show real-time reports from other users.
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3. Search for news - tech outlets quickly report major Instagram issues, especially when comments or feeds break.
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4. Wait it out - if the problem is on Instagram’s end, fixes usually roll out within a few hours.
Knowing this saves you time and keeps you from chasing problems that aren’t really yours.
Slow or Unstable Connection
A weak or unstable internet connection can also keep comments from loading. This often makes the section look empty, when in reality the app just isn’t able to fetch the replies. Even a small drop in your signal can stop new comments from appearing or cut the thread short.
How to fix it
Try these quick steps:
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1. Switch networks - if you’re on Wi-Fi, toggle to mobile data, or do the reverse.
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2. Reset your router - a simple restart often clears connection problems.
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3. Move closer to your Wi-Fi source - weak signal strength interrupts loading.
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4. Run a speed test - if your internet is slow, that explains why comments won’t appear.
Sometimes, though, it’s not just about connection strength. If your posts still feel quiet even when everything loads fine, it may be that people just aren’t engaging.
In that case, a little push can make a big difference. Using our service to buy Instagram Comments adds interactions to your posts from real users, making them look active and encouraging more people to join the conversation naturally.
Conclusion
Missing comments on Instagram can be frustrating, but in most cases the fix is simple once you know where to look. From filters and limits to device issues and occasional outages, there’s always an explanation. The key is taking a few minutes to check your settings, refresh your app, and confirm whether the issue is on your side or Instagram’s.
With these solutions in mind, you’ll feel more confident whenever comments don’t appear as expected. And if a friend faces the same problem, you’ll be able to guide them through it. So whenever you catch yourself wondering why can't I see comments on Instagram, you’ll already have the answers at your fingertips.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions |
Why can't I see comments on Instagram even though others can?
This usually means your account settings or filters are hiding replies. Hidden Words, Restrictions, or Limits may prevent comments from showing only on your device. Checking and adjusting those settings often clears things up.
Why do Instagram comments disappear after I reply?
If a comment breaks Instagram’s rules or gets reported, it can be removed automatically after you respond. In some cases, the original poster might also delete their own comment, which makes your reply vanish too.
Why can I see comments on one account but not another?
Different accounts may have different privacy settings. Some limit who can comment, while others use strict filters. That’s why your personal account may show replies that don’t appear when you switch to a business or creator profile.
Can hashtags or links in comments stop them from appearing?
Yes. Instagram often filters comments that include suspicious links, repeated hashtags, or phrases flagged as spam. If someone adds these, their reply may never show publicly.