Managing user roles in WordPress is essential for running a smooth and secure website. WordPress allows site owners to assign roles like Subscriber, Author, Editor, or Administrator to control what each user can do. However, there might come a time when you need to upgrade a subscriber to an admin—for instance, if you need them to help manage the website or take over some tasks, such as installing plugins, posting blogs, or managing settings.
While subscribers have limited access, giving them an administrator role will grant them full control over the website. This role change is simple but comes with responsibility because admins can modify the entire site, delete content, or even remove other users.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to change a subscriber to an admin.
Step-by-Step Guide to Make a Subscriber an Admin
Follow these simple steps to change the subscriber’s role to that of an admin.
1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
- Go to yourwebsite.com/wp-admin.
- Log in with your admin username and password.
2. Open the Users Section
- In the WordPress dashboard, go to Users > All Users.
- You will see a list of all users on your site.
3. Find the Subscriber
- Scroll down the list or use the Search Users box to find the subscriber you want to make an admin.
- Click the Edit link under their username.
4. Change the User Role to Admin
- On the user’s profile page, scroll down to the Role dropdown.
- Select Administrator from the dropdown list.
5. Save Changes
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the Update User button.
The user is now an admin and has full site management access.
Essential Things to Keep in Mind
1. Admin Role Has Full Control
- An admin can do everything on the site—add or delete plugins, change themes, edit pages, and even remove other users (including other admins).
- Make sure you trust the subscriber before promoting them to an admin.
2. Limit Admin Access
If you only need the subscriber to perform specific tasks (like editing content), consider assigning them a less powerful role like Editor or Author. This avoids giving them unnecessary access.
How to Remove Admin Access If Needed
If you need to revoke admin access later, follow these steps:
- Go to Users > All Users.
- Find the user you promoted.
- Click Edit under their name.
- Change their role back to Subscriber (or another role).
- Click Update User.
Bonus Tip: Use a Plugin to Manage User Roles
If you have many users and need more control over roles, consider using a plugin like User Role Editor. This plugin makes assigning or modifying user roles easy without much effort.
- Install the Plugin: Go to Plugins > Add New and search for User Role Editor.
- Activate the Plugin: Once installed, activate it.
- Manage Roles: Use the plugin to change roles for multiple users quickly.
Conclusion
Making a subscriber an admin in WordPress is easy, but it comes with responsibilities. Be careful about who you promote; admins control the website. If you only need limited help, consider giving the user an Editor or Author role instead.
Following the steps in this guide, you can confidently manage your WordPress users and keep your site secure.