WordPress Multisite: What Site Admins Can and Can’t Control

WordPress Multisite gives a network administrator control over the entire installation, while a site administrator (the manager of a single site within that network) has a clearly limited set of powers. A site admin can manage content, users, and most settings within their own site, but they cannot install themes or plugins, manage network-wide settings, or control the network’s user registration and upgrade policies. This article details the six key areas where a site admin has control and the six areas where they do not, based on the standard WordPress Multisite architecture.

Background: How Multisite Works

WordPress Multisite is a feature that lets you run multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. It was introduced in WordPress 3.0 in 2010, merging the previous WordPress MU (multi-user) project into the core. The system uses a shared database and core files, but each site has its own separate database tables for posts, comments, and options. The top-level administrator (the network admin) manages the entire network, while each site’s administrator manages only that individual site.

The key architectural point is that the network admin controls the code (themes and plugins) and the global settings, while site admins control content and site-specific options. This separation is enforced by WordPress capabilities, which are assigned to roles. A site admin on a Multisite network has a different set of capabilities than a network admin.

What a Site Admin CAN Control

Within their own site, a site admin has full control over the day-to-day operations. These are the six main areas of control:

• Content and Pages: Site admins can create, edit, delete, and publish posts, pages, and custom post types. They can also manage comments, categories, tags, and media files (images, videos, documents).
• Users and Roles: They can add, edit, and remove users from their site, and assign roles like Editor, Author, Contributor, or Subscriber. They can also manage user profiles and set their display names and email addresses.
• Site-Specific Settings: Under Settings in the dashboard, a site admin can control the site title, tagline, URL, timezone, date format, language, and reading/writing settings. They can also set the site’s privacy policy and enable or disable user registration for their own site.
• Appearance (Themes): A site admin can choose which active theme to use, but only from the themes that the network admin has enabled. They cannot install new themes or delete existing ones.
• Menus and Widgets: They can create and manage navigation menus and assign widgets to widget areas (sidebars, footers) within the chosen theme.
• Customization: Using the Customizer, a site admin can change theme options like colors, header images, background images, and other settings that the theme exposes. These changes are site-specific.

What a Site Admin CANNOT Control

There are six key areas where a site admin has no authority. These are controlled exclusively by the network admin:

• Installing or Deleting Plugins: A site admin cannot install, activate, deactivate, or delete plugins. Only the network admin can manage plugins, and they can choose to network-activate a plugin (making it active on all sites) or leave it available for site admins to activate individually. However, a site admin can activate or deactivate a plugin that is already installed, if the network admin has allowed it.
• Installing or Deleting Themes: Site admins cannot upload new themes or delete existing ones. They can only choose from the themes that the network admin has installed and enabled.
• Network-Wide Settings: The network admin controls the network name, admin email, registration settings (open/closed), new site defaults, upload settings, and other global options under Network Admin > Settings.
• User Registration Across the Network: Site admins cannot change the network’s user registration policy. If the network is set to allow registration, a site admin can enable or disable registration for their own site, but they cannot change the global registration settings.
• Upgrades and Core Updates: Only the network admin can update WordPress core, plugins, and themes. Site admins have no access to the updates page for the network.
• Super Admin Role: The network admin can grant the Super Admin role to any user, which gives them full control over the entire network. A site admin cannot grant this role to anyone, including themselves.

How to Check What You Can Do

If you are a site admin and you are unsure whether you have permission to do something, look for the menu item in your dashboard. If you don’t see Plugins or Themes > Add New in your sidebar, you don’t have permission. You can also check the Users > All Users screen to see your role. If your role is Administrator, you have the capabilities described above. If you need to install a plugin or theme, you must contact the network admin.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that a site admin can install plugins because they see a Plugins menu. However, on a Multisite network, the Plugins menu only shows the plugins that are already installed. The Add New button is missing for site admins. Another issue is that a site admin might try to change the site URL in Settings > General, but this can break the site if done incorrectly. The network admin should handle URL changes. Also, some site admins think they can manage network users, but they can only manage users who are assigned to their site.

How to Get More Control

If you need more control over your site, you have a few options:

• Ask the network admin: They can grant you the Super Admin role, but this is rare and usually reserved for trusted administrators.
• Use plugins that the network admin has installed: Many plugins offer per-site settings, so you can customize functionality without installing new plugins.
• Use custom code: If the network admin allows it, you can add custom CSS or JavaScript via the Customizer or a custom code plugin that the network admin has installed.
• Move to a separate installation: If you need full control, consider moving your site to its own WordPress installation, either on a subdomain or a different hosting account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a site admin install plugins on WordPress Multisite?

No, a site admin cannot install new plugins. They can only activate or deactivate plugins that the network admin has already installed and made available. If you need a new plugin, you must request it from the network admin.

Can a site admin change the theme on their site?

Yes, a site admin can change the active theme, but only among the themes that the network admin has enabled. They cannot upload a new theme or delete an existing one.

Can a site admin manage users on their site?

Yes, a site admin can add, edit, and remove users on their own site, and assign them roles. However, they cannot see or manage users who are not members of their site.

Can a site admin update WordPress core?

No, only the network admin can update WordPress core, as well as plugins and themes. Site admins do not have access to the update screens.

Can a site admin create a new site on the network?

No, creating new sites is a network admin function. Site admins can only manage their own existing site.

What is the difference between a site admin and a network admin?

A network admin (or Super Admin) has full control over the entire Multisite network, including installing themes/plugins, managing all sites, and setting global options. A site admin only has control over one specific site within the network, with the limitations described above.

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