Override Comment Options

Override WordPress “automatically close comments” option and leave comments open on any individual posts.

Want to keep comments open on a few old posts? This plugin is for you. Here’s how it works:

In the WordPress Discussion Settings, there is an option called “Automatically close comments on posts older than” whatever specified number of days. When this setting is enabled, comments will be disabled on any posts that are past the deadline, whatever “x” number of days.

What WordPress is missing is a simple way to override that global option on a per-post basis. That’s exactly what this plugin does. For any post that is past the comment deadline, this plugin will display a small meta box on the “Edit Post” screen for each post. There you can check the box to enable comments on the post. Comments will then remain open for that post indefinitely, until the box is unchecked or the plugin is uninstalled.

Note: The override meta box will not be displayed if the post is not past the comment deadline (whatever “x” number of days).

Check out the screenshot below to get a better idea.

Features

• Clean, secure code
• Written according to the WP API
• Simple, lightweight, and flexible
• Localized and translation ready
• Cleans up after itself when uninstalled

For more details about how it works, visit the Installation docs.

Privacy

This plugin does not collect or store any user data. It does not set any cookies, and it does not connect to any third-party locations. Thus, this plugin does not affect user privacy in any way.

Override Comment Options is developed and maintained by Jeff Starr, 15-year WordPress developer and book author.

Installation

1. Upload the plugin to your blog and activate
2. Make sure the Discussion setting “Automatically close comments” is enabled
3. Done!

More info on installing WP plugins

Usage

This plugin does not provide any options page. Instead, it displays a small Meta Box in the sidebar on the “Edit Post” screen. There you can check the box to enable comments on the post. Comments will then remain open for that post indefinitely, until the box is unchecked or the plugin is uninstalled.

Note: The override meta box will not be displayed if the post is not past the comment deadline (whatever “x” number of days).

Note: On the “Edit Post” screen, the override meta box will be displayed in the sidebar or beneath the content editor, depending on how things are configured with the theme, etc.

Check out the screenshot on the plugin homepage to get a better idea.

Like the plugin?

If you like Override Comment Options, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep development and support going strong. Thank you!

1. 

   OCO Meta Box displayed on Edit Post screen

If you like Override Comment Options, please take a moment to give a 5-star rating. It helps to keep the plugin going strong, and is greatly appreciated.

2.7 (2025/11/14)

• Tests on WordPress 6.9

Full changelog @ https://plugin-planet.com/wp/changelog/override-comment-options.txt