so when i disabled all plugins that did not resolve the problem, but when i disabled elementor pro too and left just elementor (basic) and gp premium, then the problem was resolved. i tried locating the setting in elementor responsible for the fb comments box, but their knowledge base just says that to enable it you need to set the Facebook App ID under elementor settings > integrations. i made sure that parameter was blank, but the comments box persists. very annoying…