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Why Are My User Roles Changing or Disappearing? A Troubleshooting Guide

36 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → User role editor

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Understanding Unexpected User Role Changes in WordPress

One of the most confusing issues WordPress administrators face is when user roles change or disappear unexpectedly. This can break site functionality, lock users out of areas they should access, and generally cause chaos with your permissions structure. Based on common issues reported by users, this guide will help you diagnose and fix these problematic role changes.

Why Do User Roles Change Unexpectedly?

Several factors can cause roles to change or disappear:

  • Other plugins or themes that modify user roles
  • Code that uses set_role() instead of add_role()
  • User profile updates while the User Role Editor plugin is deactivated
  • Conflicts with registration or membership plugins

Common Scenarios and Solutions

1. Plugin or Theme Conflicts

Many role-changing issues originate from other plugins or your theme. Job board plugins, directory plugins, and membership systems often modify user roles programmatically.

Solution: Perform conflict testing by deactivating all other plugins and switching to a default theme (like Twenty Twenty-One). If the role changes stop, reactivate plugins one by one while testing after each activation to identify the culprit.

2. The set_role() Function Problem

Some plugins and themes use WordPress's set_role() function, which replaces ALL existing roles with a single new role. This is particularly problematic for users with multiple roles.

Solution: If you've identified which plugin is causing this (through conflict testing), you may need to add custom code to preserve additional roles. The User Role Editor team has suggested using the 'set_user_role' action hook to address this:

add_action('set_user_role', function($user_id, $role, $old_roles) {
    // Your custom logic to preserve roles
}, 10, 3);

3. User Profile Updates with URE Deactivated

When User Role Editor is deactivated, WordPress only shows the primary role field in user profiles. If a user updates their profile while URE is deactivated, any additional roles are permanently lost.

Solution: If you use multiple roles, keep User Role Editor active at all times, or restrict users from updating their own profiles.

4. Registration Plugin Overrides

Membership and registration plugins like Ultimate Member often override default role settings. Even if you've set multiple default roles in User Role Editor, these plugins may apply their own single role instead.

Solution: Check your registration plugin's settings for role assignment options. You may need to use the registration plugin's hooks instead of relying on User Role Editor's default roles feature when these plugins are involved.

5. Role Array Index Issues

Some plugins check user roles by looking at a specific array index (usually $user->roles[0]), but User Role Editor doesn't guarantee role order in this array.

Solution: Modify code that checks roles to use a method that doesn't depend on array position:

// Instead of: if ($user->roles[0] == 'vendor')
// Use: if (in_array('vendor', $user->roles))

Preventive Measures

  • Always test plugin updates in a staging environment first
  • Keep regular backups of your database
  • Document any custom role configurations
  • Be cautious when using multiple plugins that manage user roles

When to Seek Additional Help

If these solutions don't resolve your issue, consider that your specific case might involve more complex conflicts. The WordPress support forums can be a good resource for getting help with particular plugin combinations that might be causing your role management issues.

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