Cannot create a Subdomain based Multisite Network

  • Hello,

    I cannot create a Subdomain based Multisite Network.

    I would like to setup something like this:

    Main Site: mymainsite.com
    Sub Site 1: sub1.mymainsite.com
    Sub Site 2: sub2.mymainsite.com

    The steps:
    In wp-config.php I added this code just before the /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line:

    define( ‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true );

    after saving wp-config.php, I selected “Tools ? Network Setup” to configure my multisite network.
    Normally I’m supposed to see the network setup screen where I can select “Sub-domains” or “Sub-directories”.
    However, I don’t see this screen; I cannot select the “sub-domain” based network. It looks like it’s skipping this screen and goes right to the page where it asks me to add some additional codes into wp-config.php and .htaccess.

    And at the top op the page I see this warning:
    Warning: An existing WordPress network was detected.

    What’s going on? I don’t have another WP network. Have I overlooked something?
    Where can I find and delete the so-called “existing WP network”? In wp-config, .htaccess or database?

    Thank You!

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)

  • Kookidooki,

    Once you enable multisite, you must add the rewrite rules in the network admin to your .htaccess file.

    First, check your wp-config.php and make sure these rules exist:

    define('MULTISITE', true);
define('SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', false);
define('DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'yourdomain.com');
define('PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/');
define('SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);
define('BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);

    Set define subdomain to true, so you can enable subdomains instead of subdirectories.

    Second, replace the current .htaccess rewrite rules with the following:

    RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]

# uploaded files
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?files/(.+) wp-includes/ms-files.php?file=$2 [L]

# add a trailing slash to /wp-admin
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?wp-admin$ $1wp-admin/ [R=301,L]

RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d
RewriteRule ^ - [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(wp-(content|admin|includes).*) $2 [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(.*\.php)$ $2 [L]
RewriteRule . index.php [L]

    If you want subdomains, you’ll want to make sure that add the domain mapping plugin to your WordPress install. In the domain mapping plugin, there is a file called sunrise.php. That file must be added to /wp-content/. Then, you must add a similar single line of code to wp-config.php to enable sunrise.php. See the readme.txt file included in the plugin for instructions.

    Remember that with subdomains, you must add a CNAME record for each subdomain you want to resolve to a specific site instance. Or, you can use an A record with * inserted as a wildcard so you won’t need to constantly add new CNAME records. This method may be problematic with SSL certificates, as each certificate may require a specific CNAME added to the zone file.

    Hope that helps.

    I have a slightly different problem. I have installed WordPress (4.4.2) twice now and both attempts to create subdomain networks have left me with 403 errors when I add the new subdomain and then try to load it’s dashboard. The Multisite itself is up but if I make an additional site (site1.domain.com) complete with cname (*.domain.com) and subdomain (in cPanel) it just doesn’t connect.
    I’ve been over the tutorials and written instructions 5 times (each) now and from various sources. Now 3 days later I’m still no closer to figuring out what’s preventing this from working.
    I tried the MU plugin, but I still get the same result. It all seems very straight forward, I just don’t understand what I am missing.

    Hi,

    I’ve the same issue here. I’ve deleted and added new site several times but it’s just not working: no access to the dashboard nor to the site itself. I’ve checked .htaccess file + wp-config.php and they are as they should be configuration wise.

    It will be really much appreciate and extremely helpful if someone can have a look into this and let us know what we’re doing wrong or not doing to get the new site live.

    Many thanks for your help

Viewing 3 replies - 1 through 3 (of 3 total)
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