Multisite Admin: "You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page."

@kimberleyaroper

After I changed the “admin” username, though, things went wonky. I logged out then logged back in via my new custom login URL, but it took me to my primary domain dashboard.

This is a bit confusing to me.

After I changed the “admin” username

suggests you used the Advanced Change Admin User feature.

I logged out then logged back in via my new custom login URL

suggests you enabled the Hide Backend setting.

So after which of these 2 changes did “things went wonky” ?
(Perhaps both). But probably after doing the Change Admin User feature …

When the “You do not have sufficient permissions to access this page.” message is displayed has the URL in the browser address bar changed to:

https://www.domain.com/wp-admin/profile.php

dwinden

I did use those features, and no, I couldn’t tell you which one set off the problem because I checked after implementing both (not each one individually). I had too much cowboy juice, evidently.

The URL has not changed.

Thanks for looking into this …
Kim

Hm, you’re right, I should have elaborated on the confusing bit. I had logged in to the network admin dashboard via the option on the primary domain dashboard. When I re-logged in, I went back to the primary (of course), but the option to go to the network admin dashboard was no longer available. [I can totally understand and appreciate this from a security standpoint, but I don’t need this client-herding feature on the installation at this time.] That’s when I tried the direct network dashboard URL, without success.

Sorry for the confusion. I’m normally very clear, but I was pretty bleary eyed when I typed the original post.

@kimberleyaroper

Ok, I see.

I really think the issue was caused by the Change Admin User feature.
There is a history of the permissions message occurring after using that feature.

It makes changes to the database metadata assuming a default WP env.
However there are conflicting themes\plugins out there which customize the
WP database permissions metadata.

The iTSec plugin Change Admin User feature is completely unaware of this. Thus breaking the custom permissions functionality.

The only simple way to get this working again is restore a database backup (creating a database backup is recommended before using the Change Admin User feature). After that simply don’t use the Change Admin User feature in your WP env.

Please note there is a high degree of assumption in the explanation above.
As I don’t have access to your database I cannot confirm the info provided.

dwinden

Thanks, @dwinden!! I appreciate the time you’ve taken to explain this.

Now, on to the next challenge: Learning how to restore a db backup, which is a matter for a different thread somewhere else ??

Have a great weekend!

@kimberleyaroper

You are very welcome.

A little push in the right direction for restoring a database backup: use phpMyAdmin.

I guess this topic can be marked as ‘resolved’.

A very nice weekend to you from Holland ??

dwinden

I’d say it’s resolved ??

I’m restoring the db right now. Thanks again from Ottawa, Canada, home of the Tulip Festival thanks to our Dutch friends!

Aaaand closing …