Over the years, managing various WordPress multisite networks has taught us the importance of having the right people with the correct permissions. This is where the Super Admin user role becomes crucial.

Adding a user with the Super Admin role differs from adding a user for a single site, which can be a bit confusing, especially for beginners. Sometimes, users forget their login details and find themselves locked out of their WordPress multisite admin area.

In this guide, we’ll demonstrate how to add a Super Admin user role to your WordPress multisite using two straightforward methods, with additional tips on securing your multisite effectively.

What Is a Super Admin User Role in WordPress?

WordPress has a built-in set of user roles, each with different permissions. A Super Admin is a special role available only on sites with the multisite feature enabled. This feature allows you to create multiple websites on a single WordPress installation, each having its own administrator.

However, a Super Admin can manage all websites within the multisite network, which includes installing plugins and themes and managing overall settings that impact every site. Regular Administrators can only manage one site. Therefore, it’s essential to be cautious when assigning the Super Admin role, as they have access to all sites and can affect the entire network with a single change.

Method 1: Adding a New Super Admin User in WordPress Multisite

If you’re logged into WordPress multisite as a Super Admin, you can easily add new users with the Super Admin role. To do this, log into the WordPress admin area and hover over the ‘My Sites’ menu in the top left corner. Next, navigate to Network Admin » Users.

On the Users page, click the ‘Add New User’ button. This page will look different from a single site; here, you only enter a username and email, without an option to select a user role. Click ‘Add User’ to save the information, and WordPress will send an email for the user to set their password.

Now, head over to the Users » All Users page and find the user you just added. Hover over their username and click ‘Edit’. On the ‘Edit User’ page, scroll down to the ‘Super Admin’ section. Check the box next to ‘Grant this user super admin privileges for the Network’ and click ‘Update User’ to save the changes. Your new user now has Super Admin privileges.

Method 2: Adding a Super Admin User in WordPress Manually

If you’re locked out of your WordPress admin area and can’t add new users, this method is for you. Start by connecting to your website using an FTP client or the File Manager in your hosting control panel. Navigate to your /wp-content/themes/ folder and open your active theme’s folder.

Locate the functions.php file and download it. Open this file using a plain text editor, and add the following code at the bottom:

function wpb_create_super_admin() {    $username = 'newuser';  // Replace with the desired username    $password = 'password123';  // Replace with the desired password    $email = 'newuser@example.com';  // Replace with the user's email    if ( !username_exists( $username ) && !email_exists( $email ) ) {        $user_id = wp_create_user( $username, $password, $email );        if ( !is_wp_error( $user_id ) ) {            // Assign the Super Admin role to the new user            grant_super_admin( $user_id );        }    }}add_action( 'init', 'wpb_create_super_admin' );

Make sure to replace $username, $password, and $email with your chosen values for the new Super Admin account. Save your changes and re-upload the functions.php file. After successfully logging in with the new Super Admin credentials, remember to remove the code from the functions.php file.

Securing Super Admin Accounts in WordPress Multisite

Often, beginners lose access to their Super Admin accounts either by forgetting their credentials or being hacked. To safeguard your multisite, consider the following recommendations:

1. Set Up Automated WordPress Backups: Use a backup plugin to automatically create and store backups of your WordPress site. Duplicator is a popular choice for its ease of use and effective restoration options.

2. Implement Two-Factor Authentication: Adding two-factor authentication increases security significantly, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to access Super Admin accounts.

3. Ensure WordPress Emails Work: Make certain your WordPress site can send emails reliably. Using an SMTP service like WP Mail SMTP can help ensure emails are delivered without issue.

Bonus WordPress Multisite Resources

To manage your multisite effectively as a Super Admin, check out these additional resources:

• Best WordPress Multisite Plugins You Should Use
• How to Create a WordPress Multisite with Different Domains
• How to Move a Site from WordPress Multisite to Single Install
• Should You Network Activate All Plugins on WordPress Multisite
• How to Add / Remove Default Pages in WordPress Multisite

In conclusion, adding Super Admins to your WordPress multisite network allows for better management and control. Following these steps not only helps you set this up but also ensures that your multisite remains secure.

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