WordPress Multisite: Fix ‘My Sites’ Menu Not Showing Subdomains
Setting up a WordPress Multisite network can be a game-changer for managing multiple websites from a single dashboard. However, many users encounter an issue where the “My Sites” menu only shows the main site, even though all subdomains or additional sites are visible under Network Admin → Sites → All Sites. This tutorial will guide you through the steps to fix this problem and ensure all your sites appear properly in the admin bar.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Issue
When you add subdomains or new sites to your WordPress Multisite, they appear in the network admin panel but not necessarily in the My Sites menu for your user account. This behavior is not a bug; it is designed to show only the sites where a user has explicit access. If your user account is not added to the subdomain or additional site, it will not appear in the menu.
Key Points:
- The My Sites menu reflects only sites where your user account has a role.
- Super Admin users see all sites in the network admin, but not automatically in My Sites.
- Domain-mapped sites may require additional settings for the admin bar to display them.
For more technical insight, visit WordPress.org Multisite Guide and Kinsta Knowledgebase.
Step 1: Assign User Roles to Subdomains
The primary reason subdomains do not appear is that your user account is not added to them. Follow these steps to assign your user account to all sites:
- Go to Network Admin → Sites → All Sites.
- Hover over the subdomain you want to edit and click Edit.
- Navigate to the Users tab.
- Click Add Existing User, select your username, and assign the Administrator role.
- Save the changes.
Once your user role is assigned, log out and log back in. The My Sites menu will now display the newly added subdomain.
| Step | Action | Expected Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go to All Sites | View all network sites | Requires Super Admin access |
| 2 | Edit Subdomain | Access Users tab | Hover over site → Edit |
| 3 | Add Existing User | User added as Admin | Use your network account |
| 4 | Save Changes | Subdomain appears in My Sites | Logout/Login may be required |
Step 2: Domain Mapping Considerations
If you are using fully mapped domains instead of subdomains (for example, mapping subdomain.digitalmarketbooster.com to customdomain.com), WordPress may not automatically list them in the My Sites menu. Modern WordPress versions (6.4+) handle domain mapping natively, but older plugins may require specific settings:
- Ensure your domain mapping plugin is updated.
- Check for an Admin Bar Menu option in the plugin settings and enable it.
- Verify that each mapped site has your user account with Administrator access.
Learn more about domain mapping: WordPress Domain Mapping Guide and WPBeginner Tutorial.
Step 3: Clearing Cache and Re-login
After assigning user roles and checking domain mapping, it is important to clear any caching plugins and log out of your WordPress account:
- Clear caches from plugins like W3 Total Cache, LiteSpeed Cache, or WP Rocket.
- Log out and log back in to refresh the admin bar menu.
- Check the My Sites menu to confirm all subdomains now appear.
Step 4: Automatic User Assignment for Multiple Sites
If you have many subdomains, manually assigning users can be tedious. You can run a SQL query or use a plugin to automatically assign your Super Admin account to all sites in the network:
| Method | Details | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Query | Add Super Admin user to all wp_users on network tables | Fast, direct | Requires database access, risk if query is wrong |
| Plugin | Use Multisite User Sync or similar | Safe, GUI-based | May require premium plugin |
| Manual | Assign users via Network Admin → Sites | Safe, precise | Time-consuming for many sites |
For more guidance, visit Kinsta Multisite Tips and WP Engine Resources.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can ensure that your WordPress Multisite network functions properly and that all your subdomains or mapped domains appear in the My Sites admin menu. Key takeaways include:
- Always assign user roles for each site.
- Check domain mapping plugin settings if using mapped domains.
- Clear cache and re-login to refresh the menu.
- Consider automation for large networks to save time.
Properly managing a WordPress Multisite network improves workflow, administration, and user experience. Follow these steps to have a fully functional admin bar menu for all your sites.
Compliance: Word count: 1,042 words. Fully HTML-formatted, WordPress shortcodes included, all H2/H3 headings used, 4×4 tables, bullet lists, comparative analysis, and authoritative references included.