diff --git a/nova-blocks.php b/nova-blocks.php
index 906715a68..40664d54c 100644
--- a/nova-blocks.php
+++ b/nova-blocks.php
@@ -3,14 +3,14 @@
  * Plugin Name: Nova Blocks
  * Plugin URI: https://github.com/pixelgrade/nova-blocks/
  * Description: Nova Blocks is a collection of <strong>distinctive Gutenberg blocks</strong>, committed to making your site shine like a newborn star. It is taking a design-driven approach to help you made the right decisions and showcase your content in the best shape.
- * Version: 2.1.6
+ * Version: 2.1.7
  * Author: Pixelgrade
  * Author URI: https://www.pixelgrade.com
  * License: GPLv2 or later
  * License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.txt
  * Text Domain: __plugin_txtd
  * Requires at least: 5.9
- * Tested up to: 6.2
+ * Tested up to: 6.5.3
  * Requires PHP: 7.4
  * GitHub Plugin URI: pixelgrade/nova-blocks
  * Release Asset: true
diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json
index ab15d8654..0b74e2cd3 100644
--- a/package-lock.json
+++ b/package-lock.json
@@ -19734,6 +19734,12 @@
             "find-up": "^4.0.0"
           }
         },
+        "prettier": {
+          "version": "npm:wp-prettier@2.2.1-beta-1",
+          "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/wp-prettier/-/wp-prettier-2.2.1-beta-1.tgz",
+          "integrity": "sha512-+JHkqs9LC/JPp51yy1hzs3lQ7qeuWCwOcSzpQNeeY/G7oSpnF61vxt7hRh87zNRTr6ob2ndy0W8rVzhgrcA+Gw==",
+          "dev": true
+        },
         "react": {
           "version": "17.0.2",
           "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/react/-/react-17.0.2.tgz",
@@ -36804,12 +36810,6 @@
       "integrity": "sha1-6SQ0v6XqjBn0HN/UAddBo8gZ2Jc=",
       "dev": true
     },
-    "prettier": {
-      "version": "npm:wp-prettier@2.2.1-beta-1",
-      "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/wp-prettier/-/wp-prettier-2.2.1-beta-1.tgz",
-      "integrity": "sha512-+JHkqs9LC/JPp51yy1hzs3lQ7qeuWCwOcSzpQNeeY/G7oSpnF61vxt7hRh87zNRTr6ob2ndy0W8rVzhgrcA+Gw==",
-      "dev": true
-    },
     "prettier-linter-helpers": {
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/prettier-linter-helpers/-/prettier-linter-helpers-1.0.0.tgz",
diff --git a/packages/block-editor/src/components/drawer/index.js b/packages/block-editor/src/components/drawer/index.js
index 4214e751a..13912c9f5 100644
--- a/packages/block-editor/src/components/drawer/index.js
+++ b/packages/block-editor/src/components/drawer/index.js
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ const Drawers = ( ownProps ) => {
 		const drawerPanelHeight = getActiveDrawerTitleHeight();
 
 		// If the drawer is open, the height of the wrapper should be the height of the drawer panel.
-		setWrapperHeight( !! open ? drawerPanelHeight : drawerListHeight );
+		setWrapperHeight( (!!open ? drawerPanelHeight : drawerListHeight) || 'auto' );
 	};
 
 	// This hook updates the height of the collapsible to match the height of the content
diff --git a/packages/block-editor/src/filters/with-overlay-filter/with-overlay-filter-controls.js b/packages/block-editor/src/filters/with-overlay-filter/with-overlay-filter-controls.js
index c1ed16027..8a9fb24f8 100644
--- a/packages/block-editor/src/filters/with-overlay-filter/with-overlay-filter-controls.js
+++ b/packages/block-editor/src/filters/with-overlay-filter/with-overlay-filter-controls.js
@@ -7,13 +7,17 @@ import { useSupports } from "../../hooks";
 import Controls from "./controls";
 import { getDuotoneFilterSvg } from "@novablocks/utils";
 
+import { useRef, useEffect } from "@wordpress/element";
+import { useBlockProps } from "@wordpress/block-editor";
+
+
 
 const DuotoneFilter = ( props ) => {
   const { attributes, clientId } = props;
   const { overlayFilterDuotoneConfig, overlayFilterType } = attributes;
   const from = overlayFilterDuotoneConfig?.from;
   const to = overlayFilterDuotoneConfig?.to;
-  const element = useContext( BlockList.__unstableElementContext );
+  // const element = useContext( BlockList.__unstableElementContext ); // WordPress 6.5 conflict
   const id = `novablocks-duotone-${ clientId }`;
 
   if ( ! from || ! to || overlayFilterType !== 'duotone' ) {
diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/edit.js b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/edit.js
index ed4fb6c9b..b6d56e70e 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/edit.js
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/edit.js
@@ -9,9 +9,18 @@ import { useSelect } from "@wordpress/data";
 import { RawHTML } from "@wordpress/element";
 import { useBlockProps, Warning } from "@wordpress/block-editor";
 
+import { useInnerBlocks, VariationPicker } from "@novablocks/block-editor";
+
+import InspectorControls from "./inspector-controls";
+
 const PostCommentsEdit = props => {
 
-  const { context } = props;
+  const { 
+    context,
+    attributes: {
+      hasUserExperience
+    },
+  } = props;
   const commentStatus = useSelect( select => select( 'core/editor' ).getEditedPostAttribute( 'comment_status' ) );
 
   const { postId, postType } = context;
@@ -28,6 +37,7 @@ const PostCommentsEdit = props => {
   if ( ! postType || ! postId ) {
     return (
       <div { ...blockProps }>
+      <InspectorControls { ...props } />
         <Placeholder>{ __( 'Nova Blocks: Conversation System Block.', '__plugin_txtd' ) }</Placeholder>
       </div>
     );
diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/index.js b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/index.js
index 74c7464f8..0043ea172 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/index.js
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/index.js
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+
 /**
  * Internal dependencies
  */
@@ -8,17 +9,25 @@ import edit from './edit';
  * WordPress dependencies
  */
 import { registerBlockType } from '@wordpress/blocks';
+import { addFilter } from "@wordpress/hooks";
 import { InnerBlocks } from "@wordpress/block-editor";
 import { getSvg } from "@novablocks/block-editor";
 
 registerBlockType( 'novablocks/post-comments', {
-  icon: getSvg( iconSvg ),
+	icon: getSvg( iconSvg ),
+	attributes: {  // Define block attributes
+	  hasUserExperience: {
+		type: 'boolean',
+		default: true,
+	  },
+	},
 	edit,
 	save() {
-		return <InnerBlocks.Content />;
+	  return <InnerBlocks.Content />;
 	},
 	getEditWrapperProps() {
-		const settings = wp.data.select( 'core/block-editor' ).getSettings();
-		return settings.alignWide ? { 'data-align': 'full' } : {};
+	  const settings = wp.data.select( 'core/block-editor' ).getSettings();
+	  return settings.alignWide ? { 'data-align': 'full' } : {};
 	},
-} );
+  } );
+  
diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/inspector-controls.js b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/inspector-controls.js
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..be274270a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/inspector-controls.js
@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+/**
+ * WordPress dependencies
+ */
+import { __ } from '@wordpress/i18n';
+import { ToggleControl } from '@wordpress/components';
+import { Fragment, useState } from "@wordpress/element";
+import { ControlsGroup, ControlsSection, ControlsTab } from "@novablocks/block-editor";
+import { useEffect } from '@wordpress/element'; // Import useEffect
+
+const PostCommentsInspectorControls = ( props ) => {
+
+  const {
+    attributes,
+    setAttributes,
+  } = props;
+
+  const {
+    hasUserExperience: hasUserExperienceAttribute = true
+  } = attributes;
+
+  const [hasUserExperience, setHasUserExperience] = useState(hasUserExperienceAttribute);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    setHasUserExperience(hasUserExperienceAttribute);
+  }, [hasUserExperienceAttribute]);
+
+  return (
+    <Fragment>
+      <ControlsSection
+        id={ 'layout' }
+        order={ 10 }
+        label={ __( 'Elements Visibility', '__plugin_txtd' ) }
+        group={ __( 'Block Anatomy', '__plugin_txtd' ) }
+        key={ 'post_comments' }>
+        <ControlsTab label={ __( 'Settings', '__plugin_txtd' ) }>
+          <ControlsGroup>
+
+          <ToggleControl
+                label="User Background or Experience"
+                help={
+                    hasUserExperience
+                        ? 'Display user background field.'
+                        : 'Hide the user background field.'
+                }
+                checked={ hasUserExperience }
+                onChange={() => {
+                    setHasUserExperience(!hasUserExperience);
+                    setAttributes({
+                        ...attributes,
+                        hasUserExperience: !hasUserExperience,
+                    });
+                }}
+            />
+
+    
+          </ControlsGroup>
+        </ControlsTab>
+      </ControlsSection>
+    </Fragment>
+  );
+};
+
+export default PostCommentsInspectorControls;
diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/metas/class-novablocks-comments-meta.php b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/metas/class-novablocks-comments-meta.php
index b917e5d83..bfdfb237d 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/metas/class-novablocks-comments-meta.php
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/metas/class-novablocks-comments-meta.php
@@ -62,6 +62,17 @@ public function verify_comment_meta_data( array $commentdata ): array {
 				return $commentdata;
 			}
 
+		
+			// Include or require the class-novablocks-comments-form.php file if it's not already included.
+			require_once dirname(__FILE__) . '/../renderers/class-novablocks-comments-form.php';
+
+			// Create an instance of NovaBlocks_Comments_Form.
+			$commentsForm = new NovaBlocks_Comments_Form();
+
+			// Access the $commenterBackgroundRequired variable.
+			$commenter_background_required = $commentsForm->getArgs()['commenterBackgroundRequired'];
+			
+
 			// We only enforce the commenter background for comments, not other types like reviews.
 			if ( empty( $commentdata['comment_type'] ) || 'comment' !== $commentdata['comment_type'] ) {
 				return $commentdata;
@@ -76,11 +87,12 @@ public function verify_comment_meta_data( array $commentdata ): array {
 				}
 			}
 
-			if ( empty( $_POST['nb_commenter_background'] ) ) {
+			if (empty($_POST['nb_commenter_background']) && $commenter_background_required) {
 				$comment = new WP_Error( 'require_nb_commenter_background', __( '<strong>Error</strong>: You did not add your relevant background or experience.', '__plugin_txtd' ), 200 );
 			} else {
-				$stripped_background = trim( strip_tags( $_POST['nb_commenter_background'] ) );
-				if ( mb_strlen( $stripped_background, '8bit' ) > 245 ) {
+				$stripped_background = isset($_POST['nb_commenter_background']) ? trim( strip_tags( $_POST['nb_commenter_background'] ) ) : '';
+
+				if (isset($stripped_background) && mb_strlen($stripped_background, '8bit') > 245) {
 					$comment = new WP_Error( 'nb_commenter_background_length', __( '<strong>Error</strong>: Your background or experience is too long.' ), 200 );
 				}
 			}
diff --git a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/renderers/class-novablocks-comments-form.php b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/renderers/class-novablocks-comments-form.php
index 34b4e685e..89d456270 100644
--- a/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/renderers/class-novablocks-comments-form.php
+++ b/packages/block-library/src/blocks/post-comments/lib/renderers/class-novablocks-comments-form.php
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ public function __construct( $post = null, array $args = [] ) {
 
 				// Display the commenter background field.
 				'commenterBackground'            => true,
-				'commenterBackgroundRequired'    => true,
+				'commenterBackgroundRequired'    => false,
 				'commenterBackgroundLabel'       => esc_html__( 'What is your background around this topic?', '__plugin_txtd' ),
 				// Leave empty for no description.
 				'commenterBackgroundDescription' => esc_html__( 'Example: Practical philosopher, therapist and writer.', '__plugin_txtd' ),
@@ -111,6 +111,10 @@ public function __construct( $post = null, array $args = [] ) {
 			] );
 		}
 
+		public function getArgs() {
+			return $this->args;
+		}
+
 		/**
 		 * Entry point to render the comments form.
 		 *
@@ -550,18 +554,20 @@ public function adjust_comment_form_defaults( $defaults ) {
 				}
 
 				// We need to add the commenter background field to the comment textarea because we want it for logged in users too.
+
 				$defaults['comment_field'] .=
 					sprintf( '
 <p class="comment-form-background comment-fields-wrapper">
 	<label for="nb_commenter_background">%s%s</label>
 	<span class="field-description">%s</span>
-	<input id="nb_commenter_background" name="nb_commenter_background" type="text" value="%s" size="30" placeholder="%s" required="required" />
+	<input id="nb_commenter_background" name="nb_commenter_background" type="text" value="%s" size="30" placeholder="%s" %s />
 </p>',
 						$args['commenterBackgroundLabel'],
 						( $args['commenterBackgroundRequired'] ? ' <span class="required">*</span>' : '' ),
 						$args['commenterBackgroundDescription'],
 						esc_attr( $previous_commenter_background ),
-						esc_attr( $args['commenterBackgroundPlaceholder'] )
+						esc_attr( $args['commenterBackgroundPlaceholder'] ),
+						( $args['commenterBackgroundRequired'] ? 'required="required"' : '')
 					);
 			}
 
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index ec9cd05d1..d62fade62 100644
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
 Contributors: pixelgrade, vlad.olaru, babbardel, razvanonofrei, gorby31
 Tags: blocks, editor, gutenberg, gutenberg blocks, page builder, block enabled, page building, full site editing, site editor, posts collection
 Requires at least: 5.9
-Tested up to: 6.2.0
-Stable tag: 2.1.6
+Tested up to: 6.5.3
+Stable tag: 2.1.7
 Requires PHP: 7.4
 License: GPLv2 or later
 License URI: http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-2.0.html
@@ -94,6 +94,12 @@ Yes! Nova Block's core features are free to use.
 
 == Changelog ==
 
+= 2.1.7 =
+* Resolved a compatibility issue with WordPress 6.5.x where blocks displayed the error "This block has encountered an error and cannot be previewed."
+* Fixed an intermittent issue where 'novablocks-drawers' could collapse due to a miscalculation of height at 0px. This was caused by the 'getActiveDrawerTitleHeight' function returning incorrect values under certain rendering conditions.
+* Modified the Conversation System to make the "Background" field optional, addressing errors encountered when users tried to comment without filling this field.
+* Tested compatibility with the latest WordPress 6.5.3 version.
+
 = 2.1.6 =
 * Fixed issue with blocks options being hidden when opening a sliding panel
 * Restored missing Content Alignment icons in Space and Sizing component