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Troubleshooting Default User Role Issues in WordPress

18 threads Sep 9, 2025 Plugin → Members – membership & user role editor plugin

Content

One of the most common points of confusion when managing user roles with the Members plugin is the assignment of a default role for new user registrations. Users often report that new registrants are assigned an unexpected role, such as "Subscriber" or "None," instead of the custom role they configured. This guide explains why this happens and provides step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

Why Does This Happen?

The "Default Role" setting in the Members plugin interfaces with the core WordPress setting found at Settings → General → New User Default Role. However, this setting can be overridden by other factors. The Members plugin itself does not directly assign roles during user registration; it merely provides an interface for the core WordPress setting and allows you to manage the roles available in that dropdown. The actual assignment is handled by WordPress core or, more commonly, by the specific plugin or form used for registration (e.g., WooCommerce, a membership plugin, or a custom registration form).

Common Causes and Solutions

1. Check the Core WordPress Setting

The first place to check is the core WordPress setting. Navigate to your WordPress dashboard and go to Settings → General. Look for the "New User Default Role" option and ensure it is set to your desired custom role (e.g., "Client"). If this is already set correctly, the issue likely lies elsewhere.

2. Third-Party Plugin or Form Override

Many plugins that handle user registration have their own settings for assigning a default role. This overrides the core WordPress setting. This is a frequent issue with plugins like WooCommerce, User Registration, or membership plugins.

  • WooCommerce: Go to WooCommerce → Settings → Accounts & Privacy. The role assigned here during checkout will take precedence.
  • User Registration Forms: If you use a plugin to create registration forms, edit the form and check its settings. Often, these forms have a specific "Default User Role" field that was set when the form was created and must be updated manually.
  • Membership Plugins: Plugins like Paid Memberships Pro or MemberPress often assign roles based on the membership level purchased, ignoring the site's default role.

You must locate the setting within the specific plugin or form that is handling the user creation process and update it there.

3. Plugin or Theme Conflict

Sometimes, a conflict with another plugin or your theme can prevent the correct role from being assigned. To test for this, follow these steps:

  1. Temporarily deactivate all plugins except Members.
  2. Switch your theme to a default WordPress theme like Twenty Twenty-Four.
  3. Create a test user registration to see if the correct role is now assigned.
  4. If it works, reactivate your plugins one by one, testing after each activation, to identify the conflicting software.
  5. Finally, reactivate your original theme to confirm it is not the source of the conflict.

4. The "None" Role Assignment

If users are assigned a role of "None," it typically indicates that the role they are supposed to receive has been deleted or is otherwise unavailable to WordPress at the moment of registration. Ensure your desired default role still exists and has not been corrupted.

Key Takeaway

Remember, the core WordPress default role is a fallback. The plugin or process that actually creates the user has the final say on which role is assigned. Always check the settings of your e-commerce, membership, or form builder plugins first when troubleshooting default role issues. The 'Members – Membership & User Role Editor Plugin' is a powerful tool for managing roles and capabilities, but it works in conjunction with other plugins that handle user creation.

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