You see a comment count on your Reddit post. You open it. Nothing. Or just a few comments when the number said 20. This is frustrating, especially when you need engagement for a project or campaign.
Before you assume the worst, work through a clear diagnostic process. Here is exactly how to reddit post not showing all comments and get the full picture.
What you want to do: see every comment on your post
You want to know which comments are real, which are hidden, and why. Then you want to fix it if possible. But “fix” does not always mean “make visible.” Some comments are gone permanently. Your job is to understand the cause and decide your next move.
Before you start: confirm what you are looking at
- Open your post in an incognito window or logged-out browser.
- Compare the visible comment count to the number in the post header.
- Refresh the page three times with a 10-second gap.
- Check on both old.reddit.com and the mobile app.
If the count still does not match, proceed to diagnostics.
Step 1: Check if the post was removed by moderators or AutoModerator
This is the most common cause. A post that looks visible to you may be removed in the subreddit. Comments posted after removal are invisible to most users.
How to check
- Open your post while logged out.
- If you see a
[removed]or[deleted]tag in the post body, it is gone. - If you see no tag but no comments either, the removal may be silent.
What to do
- Send a polite modmail to the subreddit. Ask: “Was my post removed? If so, can you tell me why?”
- Do not repost immediately. That can get you banned.
- If the post was removed by AutoModerator, review your post for banned keywords, shortened links, or excessive caps.
A Reddit post not showing comments often means the post itself is blocked, not the comments.
Step 2: Check if you or the commenter are shadowbanned or restricted
If your account is shadowbanned, your posts and comments are visible only to you. Others see nothing. If a commenter is shadowbanned, their replies appear in the count but not in the thread.
How to check
- Open your profile in an incognito window. If you get a 404 or “page not found,” you may be shadowbanned.
- Ask a friend (not logged into your account) to check your post and tell you what they see.
What to do
- If you are shadowbanned, appeal via the Reddit appeal form. Do not create a new account while appealing.
- If a specific commenter is shadowbanned, you cannot fix that. Ignore the phantom count.
Step 3: Check subreddit-specific filters
Many subreddits use karma thresholds, account age requirements, or link restrictions. Comments that break these rules are held in the mod queue, not published.
Common subreddit filters
| Filter type | What happens | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum comment karma | Comment is held for mod review | Check subreddit sidebar or rules |
| Account age < 7 days | Comment is held or removed automatically | Check your account age |
| Link in comment from new users | Comment is held | Avoid links until you have karma |
What to do
- Read the subreddit rules carefully.
- If you posted a link, try replying without it.
- Wait until your account has more comment karma and age. There is no shortcut.
If you see a comment not visible after posting, check if you met the subreddit’s karma threshold first.
Step 4: Check for Reddit cache or app bug
Sometimes the count is just wrong. Reddit caches comment counts aggressively. If a comment was deleted by the author or a moderator, the count may not update for hours.
How to check
- Sort by “new” instead of “best” or “top.” Hidden or collapsed comments sometimes appear in new.
- Use the
?sort=newparameter in the URL. - Wait 24 hours. If the count still does not match, move to Step 5.
Step 5: Take action without breaking rules
You have identified the cause. Now decide.
- Post removed by mods: Accept it and repost later with corrections.
- Shadowban: Appeal and wait.
- Subreddit filter: Build karma and age naturally.
- Cache bug: Ignore it. Comments are fine.
Do not spam modmail. Do not create alt accounts to comment on your own post. That violates Reddit’s rules and can get your main account suspended.
Practical example: a post with 18 comments but zero visible
You posted a question in r/startups. The post shows 18 comments. You see nothing.
- You check logged out. Post is visible.
- You check your profile logged out. Profile loads fine.
- You sort by new. Still nothing.
- You check the subreddit rules. It requires 50 comment karma to post without review.
- Your account has 12 comment karma. Your post was held by AutoModerator.
- You modmail the subreddit. They approve the post. Comments appear.
Result: The post was not removed. It was held. A simple modmail fixed it.
Checklist for your next post
- [ ] Confirm your account age and karma meet subreddit requirements
- [ ] Avoid links in your first post or comment
- [ ] Check your post visibility logged out
- [ ] Sort comments by “new” before assuming they are missing
- [ ] Send one polite modmail if comments are still invisible after 24 hours
- [ ] Never repost the same content within 48 hours
Practical takeaway
Most cases of “post shows comments but I see nothing” are caused by subreddit filters or silent post removal. The fix is rarely technical. It is almost always about rules, karma, or account status. Diagnose in order: post removal first, then account status, then subreddit filters, then bugs. Act on what you find without spamming or rule-breaking. That is the only reliable way to get your full thread visible.
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FAQ
Q: Why does my post show a comment count but I see nothing when I open it?
A: The most common reasons are post removal by moderators, a shadowbanned commenter, or subreddit karma filters holding comments in the mod queue.
Q: Can I see comments that were removed by AutoModerator?
A: No. Only moderators can see held comments in the mod queue. You cannot view them as a regular user.
Q: Does refreshing the page help?
A: Rarely. If the issue is a cache bug, refreshing may update the count. If the issue is a filter or removal, refreshing will not help.
Q: How long should I wait before contacting moderators?
A: Wait at least 24 hours. If the comment count still does not match, send one polite modmail. Do not send multiple messages.
Q: Will creating a new account fix this?
A: No. A new account will have even less karma and age, making the problem worse. Fix your existing account instead.
