Admin Dashboard Access

Restrict direct WordPress dashboard access for customers while preserving backend access for administrators and selected staff roles.

Availability: Free

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What This Tool Does

Restrict wp-admin access stops customers and other unauthorized users from browsing the WordPress admin dashboard. When they visit /wp-admin, ArraySubs redirects them to your selected destination.

Administrators are always allowed. You can also allow staff roles such as Shop Manager by adding them to Allowed roles.

When to Use This

  • Customers can log in successfully but should stay in WooCommerce My Account.
  • You want subscribers redirected away from /wp-admin.
  • Your staff needs backend access, but regular members should not see the dashboard.
  • You are building a membership, course, SaaS, community, or digital product site where customers should only use frontend account pages.

How to Configure It

  1. Go to ArraySubs -> Settings -> Toolkit.
  2. Turn on Restrict wp-admin access.
  3. Choose Redirect unauthorized users to:
    • WooCommerce My Account page for a normal customer flow.
    • 404 Not Found page when you want the admin route to look unavailable.
  4. Add any non-admin staff roles to Allowed roles.
  5. Click Save Settings.
  6. Test with a customer account in a separate browser session.

Dashboard access toolkit setting
Dashboard access toolkit setting

Settings Reference

Setting Default Type Notes
Restrict wp-admin access Off Toggle Enables the dashboard restriction
Redirect unauthorized users to WooCommerce My Account page Dropdown Appears when restriction is on
Allowed roles None Multi-select Administrators are always allowed and do not need to be selected

What Is Never Blocked

  • WordPress AJAX requests.
  • REST API calls.
  • WP-Cron requests.
  • Action Scheduler background processing.
  • Administrator access.

Testing Checklist

  1. Log in as a customer.
  2. Visit /wp-admin.
  3. Confirm the browser redirects to the destination you selected.
  4. Log in as an administrator.
  5. Visit /wp-admin.
  6. Confirm the dashboard still opens normally.
  7. If you selected a staff role, test that role separately.

Troubleshooting

Problem Likely Cause What to Do
Customer still reaches /wp-admin The setting is off, or their role is allowed Check the toggle and the Allowed roles field
Shop Manager is blocked Shop Manager is not selected Add Shop Manager to Allowed roles and save
Redirect lands on the wrong page Redirect destination is set differently than expected Reopen Toolkit and check the dropdown