Using WordPress ‘check_comment_flood_db()’ PHP function

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The check_comment_flood_db() WordPress PHP function hooks into WordPress’s native database-based comment-flood check.

Usage

Let’s say you want to disable the comment flood check for a specific situation. You can use the check_comment_flood_db() function in combination with remove_action():

remove_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');

This will remove the comment flood check, allowing comments to be submitted without any rate limit.

Parameters

  • This function does not accept any parameters.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: check_comment_flood_db()

This function is included since WordPress version 2.3.0. It is not deprecated and you can find the source code in wp-includes/comment.php.

Examples

Disable comment flood check

If you want to disable the comment flood check completely, you can remove the action in your theme’s functions.php:

// Disabling the comment flood check.
remove_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');

Disable comment flood check for a specific post

You can also disable the comment flood check only for a specific post:

add_action( 'check_comment_flood', 'disable_comment_flood_check_for_post', 10, 3 );

function disable_comment_flood_check_for_post( $time_lastcomment, $time_newcomment, $flood_die ) {
    if ( get_the_ID() === 42 ) {
        remove_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');
    }
}

Re-enable comment flood check

If you’ve disabled the comment flood check and want to enable it again:

// Enabling the comment flood check.
add_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');

Disable comment flood check for logged in users

If you want to disable the comment flood check only for logged in users:

if ( is_user_logged_in() ) {
    remove_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');
}

Enable comment flood check only during business hours

If you only want to allow rapid commenting during business hours (9AM to 5PM):

$current_hour = date('G');

if ( $current_hour >= 9 && $current_hour <= 17 ) {
    remove_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');
} else {
    add_action('check_comment_flood', 'check_comment_flood_db');
}