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Why Isn't My Required Capability Working in Admin Menu Editor?

23 threads Sep 16, 2025 Plugin → Admin menu editor

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If you're using the free version of the Admin Menu Editor plugin and finding that your changes to the "Required capability" field aren't having the desired effect, you're not alone. This is a common point of confusion, but the solution often lies in understanding how the plugin interacts with WordPress's core permission system.

The Core Issue: It's an Extra Filter, Not a Replacement

The most critical concept to grasp is that the "Required capability" field in the free version of Admin Menu Editor does not replace a menu item's default permission. Instead, it adds an additional capability check on top of the existing one.

This means a user will only see a menu item if they have both capabilities:

  • The original, default capability required by WordPress or the plugin that created the menu.
  • The new capability you specified in the Admin Menu Editor field.

For example, if a menu's default capability is edit_posts and you set the "Required capability" to manage_options, a user would need to have both the edit_posts and manage_options capabilities to see that menu. Simply having manage_options is not enough.

Common Problems and Their Solutions

1. Top-Level Menus Won't Hide

Problem: You set a high capability requirement on a top-level menu (like "Posts" or "Settings"), but it remains visible to lower-level users.

Why it happens: This is a WordPress behavior. A top-level menu will remain visible as long as any of its submenu items are accessible to the user.

Solution: You must also set the same high capability requirement on every single submenu item under that top-level menu. Once all submenus are hidden, the parent menu will also disappear.

2. You Can't Grant Access a User Doesn't Have

Problem: You try to show a menu to a Subscriber role by setting a low capability like read, but it doesn't work.

Why it happens: The free version cannot grant access to a menu that a user's role fundamentally cannot access. If the plugin that created the menu performs a second, hardcoded permission check (e.g., requiring manage_options), changing the menu capability alone will not bypass it.

Solution: To truly grant access, you must first give the user's role the necessary underlying capability using a role editor plugin like User Role Editor. Be cautious, as this often grants access to other areas of the site as well.

3. Conflicting Menu Items with the Same URL

Problem: Users see an error message like "You do not have sufficient permissions to access this admin page. Reason: There is a hidden menu item with the same URL but a higher priority."

Why it happens: This can occur if there are multiple menu items pointing to the same URL (like index.php for the dashboard) but with conflicting permission settings.

Solution: Review your menu configuration for duplicate URLs. Ensure that all items sharing a URL have consistent permission settings to prevent conflicts.

Key Takeaways

  • The "Required capability" field adds a permission check; it does not replace the original one.
  • To hide a top-level menu, you must hide all of its submenus.
  • The free version is best for hiding menus from roles that already have too much access. It is not designed to grant new access to roles that lack the fundamental capabilities.
  • For complex permission scenarios involving granting access, a dedicated role editor plugin is often a necessary companion to Admin Menu Editor.

By understanding these core principles, you can more effectively configure the admin menu for your site's users and avoid common configuration pitfalls.

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