Plugin Not Working on WordPress Multisite/Network

Problem Description #

On WordPress Multisite (network) installations, download links may not appear or downloads may fail for subsites, or the plugin may behave inconsistently across network/admin contexts.

Common symptoms / messages:

• Download buttons missing on sub-site admin pages.

• “Multisite bug” or plugin not offering site-level download controls.

• Errors when trying to download from network admin. WordPress.org

Cause:
Multisite introduces different admin list pages (site vs network) and capability differences. The plugin must account for the network admin and subsite contexts and may require network-activation or special permissions to access theme/plugin directories. Historically, users have reported multisite-related bugs and asked for network support. WordPress.org

Solution – step-by-step #

1. Confirm how plugin is activated
   1. If you want site-level downloads, ensure the plugin is activated on the individual site. If you network-activate it, ensure it supports network context. Test both activation modes.

2. Test in Network Admin
   1. Go to Network Admin → Plugins and Network Admin → Themes to see whether download links appear there. Some plugin actions only display in single-site admin unless the plugin has explicit multisite support.

3. Check user capabilities / network permissions
   1. On multisite, the Super Admin has broader rights. Ensure the account you use has super-admin rights when testing network-level downloads.

4. Check plugin docs & version notes for multisite support
   1. Consult the WPFactory docs and plugin changelog for any known limitations or special multisite instructions. If the plugin has a documented limitation, follow the recommended approach (for example: activate per-site if network features are limited). WPFactory

5. If bug is reproducible, provide reproducible steps to support
   1. Gather: WP version, plugin version, whether plugin is network-activated, steps to reproduce, and screenshots. Open a support thread, developers have investigated multisite reports before. WordPress.org

Prerequisites #

• Super Admin account for multisite debugging.

• Staging multisite recommended to test changes.
  

Additional notes / prevention

• Document whether you need per-site or network-level functionality and test activation mode accordingly.
  

If critical, schedule testing when planning plugin updates.