How to Make a Subscriber an Admin on WordPress 3 effective methods

In WordPress, user roles define what actions a user can perform on your site. By default, subscribers have limited capabilities, allowing them only to manage their profile and read content. However, if you need to promote a subscriber to an administrator, you can easily change their role to Admin. Administrators have full access to your site’s backend and can manage posts, themes, plugins, users, and more. This guide will walk you through the steps to make a subscriber an admin on WordPress.

Table of Facts and Figures

User Role	Capabilities	Best For
Subscriber	Read content, manage profile	Content consumers
Contributor	Write and manage their own posts	Writers with limited access
Author	Publish their own posts	Bloggers with more control
Editor	Manage posts, pages, and comments	Content managers
Administrator	Full access to all site settings	Site owners and managers

Method 1: Changing the Role of a Subscriber to Admin via WordPress Dashboard

How to Manually Change a Subscriber to Admin in the WordPress Dashboard

The simplest way to change a user’s role from subscriber to admin is through the Users section in the WordPress dashboard. Here’s how you can do it:

Steps to Make a Subscriber an Admin

1. Log into the WordPress Dashboard 
   • Go to your WordPress login page and log in to the admin area. 
2. Navigate to the Users Section 
   • From the left-hand menu, go to Users > All Users. This will display a list of all users on your site. 
3. Find the Subscriber 
   • Look for the user with the Subscriber role. You can use the search bar if you have many users. 
4. Edit the User Profile 
   • Hover over the subscriber’s username and click Edit to open their user profile. 
5. Change the User Role 
   • In the Role dropdown menu, change the role from Subscriber to Administrator. 
   • Scroll down and click the Update User button to save the changes. 
6. Test the New Admin Access 
   • After updating the user role, log out of your WordPress account and log in using the subscriber’s credentials to verify they now have admin access. 

Method 2: Changing the Role of a Subscriber to Admin Using a Plugin

How to Change User Roles with a Plugin

If you prefer using a plugin to manage user roles, you can use a plugin like User Role Editor. This plugin gives you greater flexibility to modify user roles and capabilities, making it easy to manage users on your site.

Steps to Use User Role Editor Plugin

1. Install the User Role Editor Plugin 
   • From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. 
   • Search for User Role Editor, then click Install Now and Activate. 
2. Navigate to User Role Editor 
   • Once the plugin is activated, go to Users > User Role Editor. 
3. Select the Subscriber Role 
   • In the Select Role and Users section, choose Subscriber from the dropdown menu. 
4. Assign Admin Capabilities 
   • In the list of capabilities, check the box for Administrator to assign the user full admin privileges. 
5. Save Changes 
   • Click the Update button to apply the changes to the selected user. 
6. Verify the Changes 
   • Log in with the subscriber account to ensure the user has been upgraded to admin privileges. 

Method 3: Changing the Role Using PHPMyAdmin (Advanced Method)

How to Change a Subscriber to Admin Using Database Management

If you have access to phpMyAdmin via your hosting control panel and are comfortable with editing your database, you can change the user’s role directly in the database. This method is for advanced users only and should be used with caution.

Steps to Change Role Using phpMyAdmin

1. Log in to phpMyAdmin 
   • Access your hosting control panel (cPanel or similar) and log in to phpMyAdmin. 
2. Select the WordPress Database 
   • On the left panel, select the WordPress database associated with your site. 
3. Find the wp_users Table 
   • In the database, find the wp_users table and click on it. This table contains all the user details. 
4. Find the Subscriber’s User ID 
   • Find the subscriber’s user in the table and note the user_id associated with their account. 
5. Find the wp_usermeta Table 
   • Next, click on the wp_usermeta table. This table contains metadata about user roles and capabilities. 
6. Update User Role 
   • Look for a row where the user_id matches the subscriber’s user ID, and the meta_key is wp_capabilities. 
   • Edit the meta_value field to change the role to admin. The value should be: 

php
Copy
a:1:{s:13:”administrator”;b:1;}

2. Save Changes 
   • Click Go to save the changes. The user should now have admin access. 
3. Verify the Change 
   • Log in to your WordPress site with the user’s credentials to confirm they now have admin privileges. 

Conclusion

Upgrading a subscriber to an admin in WordPress is a simple process, whether you prefer using the WordPress dashboard, a plugin, or phpMyAdmin. While the dashboard method is the easiest and most straightforward, the plugin method offers additional flexibility for managing roles and capabilities. Advanced users can also directly edit the database through phpMyAdmin for a more hands-on approach. Remember to assign admin roles carefully, as administrators have full access to all areas of your WordPress site, including sensitive settings and data. Always ensure that only trusted users are granted administrator access.

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FAQs

Can I make a subscriber an admin without using a plugin?

Yes, you can manually change the user role in the WordPress dashboard by editing the user’s profile and selecting Administrator from the role dropdown.

Is it safe to make a subscriber an admin?

Be cautious when granting admin access. Admins have full control over the site, including the ability to modify settings, install plugins, and delete content. Only trusted individuals should be given admin access.

Can I change a user role back to subscriber?

Yes, you can change a user role back to Subscriber from the Users > All Users section in the WordPress dashboard by editing the user profile.

What’s the best method for changing a subscriber to an admin?

The best method depends on your preference and technical ability. The WordPress dashboard method is easiest for beginners, while plugins and phpMyAdmin offer more control and flexibility.

How do I manage user roles in WordPress?

You can manage user roles by going to Users > All Users in the WordPress dashboard. For advanced role management, plugins like User Role Editor can help customize user capabilities.