How to Fix WordPress admin bar Not Showing: Troubleshooting Guide

The WordPress admin bar is a handy tool that gives you quick access to essential features like editing posts, managing users, and viewing site settings. It’s a small but significant part of the WordPress experience, saving you time and streamlining your workflow.

But what happens when it’s not there?

The WordPress admin bar not showing is an issue that can disrupt your routine, confuse clients, and slow down productivity. Luckily, most admin bar issues are easy to fix with a bit of troubleshooting.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common and not-so-common reasons why the admin bar might disappear—and how to bring it back. Whether you’re dealing with user roles, plugin conflicts, or custom code, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive in!

Common Causes of the WordPress admin bar Not Showing Issue

The WordPress admin bar is designed to appear at the top of your site for logged-in users. 

If it’s not showing, the issue is often something simple. Let’s take a look at the most common causes:

1. You’re Not Logged In

It might sound obvious, but the admin bar only appears for logged-in users. If you’re browsing your site while logged out, you won’t see it. Make sure you’re logged in to your WordPress account before troubleshooting further.

We know this one might infuriate some readers but we’re doing a top-down comprehensive round-up of issues. So we include this so that no stone is left unturned.

2. User Role Restrictions

Certain user roles, like Subscribers, may not have permission to see the admin bar.

This default WordPress setting is often designed to keep things simple for non-administrative users. 

If you’re managing a site for clients or team members, double-check their user roles under Users > All Users in the dashboard.

Each user can choose whether to display the admin bar on the front end of the site. If it’s unchecked in their profile settings, the bar won’t appear. To fix this:

Go to Users > Profile (or Your Profile).

Check the box for Show Toolbar when viewing site under Toolbar Settings.

3. Theme Conflicts

Some themes, especially highly customized or outdated ones, may hide the admin bar by default. This could happen due to missing hooks or intentional design choices. If your theme is the culprit:

• Switch temporarily to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One to see if the bar reappears.
• Check your theme’s code for any customization that might disable the admin bar (look for add_filter( 'show_admin_bar', '__return_false' );).

4. Plugin Conflicts

Plugins can sometimes cause issues with the admin bar. This happens when a plugin disables the toolbar intentionally or unintentionally interferes with it. To troubleshoot:

• Deactivate all plugins temporarily and check if the admin bar appears.
• Reactivate plugins one by one to identify the culprit.
• If the problem persists, review the plugin’s settings or contact its developer.

A great tool to use would be the WP Spotlight plugin. It is a WordPress search and navigation plugin. In its plugin search option there is a feature that allows you to activate and deactivate a plugin from anywhere on your website without needing to go to the plugins menu. 

Using WP Spotlight you can ensure lightning-fast debugging by activating and deactivating plugins in seconds without any UI changes or page loads. Download the free version or just check out their live demo if you want a quick debugging tool.  

Manage Plugins, Themes and Updates at Lightning Speeds!

Work up to 50% faster with WP Spotlight.

Choose Your PlanSee How It Works

5. Cached Pages

If you’re using a caching plugin or your hosting provider has server-side caching, the admin bar might not appear on cached pages. 

The cache stores a version of the page as seen by logged-out users, which doesn’t include the admin bar. To resolve this:

• Clear your site’s cache using your caching plugin.
• If your host manages caching, use their control panel to purge the cache.
• Exclude logged-in users from caching rules if your plugin or hosting allows it.

6. Custom Code Snippets

Developers often use custom code to modify WordPress functionality. 

If you or someone else added code that disables the admin bar (intentionally or accidentally), it won’t show up. 

Look for code snippets like this:

If you find this in your theme’s functions.php file or a custom plugin, remove it to re-enable the admin bar.

7. Frontend-Specific Issues

Even if the admin bar is visible in the backend, it might not show on the frontend due to specific conditions:

You’ve set rules to hide the admin bar on the frontend for certain roles (this can be done using tools like the Admin Bar Editor).

The admin bar’s styling might be overridden or hidden by custom CSS or JavaScript in your theme.

By addressing these common causes, you’ll often be able to fix the issue quickly. If none of these apply, don’t worry—we’ll cover more advanced troubleshooting steps in the next section.

Advanced Causes of WordPress admin bar Not Showing

If the common fixes didn’t resolve your issue, the problem might stem from less obvious or more technical causes. 

These are the trickier culprits that require a deeper dive into WordPress settings, code, or server configurations.

1. Corrupted WordPress Core Files

Sometimes, WordPress core files can become corrupted due to failed updates or server issues. This could lead to features like the admin bar malfunctioning. To fix this:

• Reinstall WordPress core files. Go to Dashboard > Updates and click Reinstall Now.
• Ensure no files are missing or broken by comparing your WordPress installation to a clean version.

Again, some of the issues and fixes might annoy some readers but we’re going to be as thorough as possible. 

So if you’re one of the unlucky readers who have to reinstall WordPress entirely to fix the admin bar we’d just like to say don’t shoot the messenger. 

We know and understand your pain but it is what it is sometimes. 

2. Custom admin bar Modifications

If you’ve used custom code or plugins to modify the admin bar, errors in these changes could prevent it from displaying. Look for issues like:

• Custom functions that hide specific menu items or the entire admin bar.
• Plugins that add items to the admin bar but conflict with its default structure.

To troubleshoot, disable any plugins or code snippets that modify the admin bar and test again. 

PRO TIP: Use the WP Spotlight plugin to activate/deactivate plugins quickly. Debugging is faster with this plugin. 

3. JavaScript or jQuery Errors

JavaScript is critical for WordPress’s interactive features, including the admin bar. 

If there are errors in your site’s JavaScript (caused by plugins, themes, or custom code), the admin bar might fail to load.

• Open your browser’s Developer Tools (usually with F12) and check the Console tab for JavaScript errors.
• Fix or disable the scripts causing conflicts.

4. Theme-Specific Filters

Some themes use filters to hide the admin bar for aesthetic or functional reasons. These filters may include code like:

To check if your theme is causing the issue:

• Switch to a default theme temporarily, such as Twenty Twenty-One.
• If the admin bar appears, contact your theme’s developer or review its functions.php file for the problematic filter.

5. Server-Side Restrictions

Your server configuration might block certain features of WordPress, including the admin bar.

• Security plugins or firewalls may restrict access to admin-related scripts. Temporarily disable these tools to test if the admin bar reappears.
• Check your server’s error logs for clues about blocked resources or permissions issues.

6. Database Corruption

Corrupted database entries can sometimes cause unexpected behavior, such as the admin bar not showing. For example:

• A corrupted user_meta table may prevent WordPress from recognizing the user’s settings for displaying the admin bar.
• Use a database optimization tool or plugin to repair and optimize your database.

Pro Tip: Back up your database before making any changes.

7. Multisite Network Settings Conflicts

On WordPress Multisite installations, the admin bar can be disabled for specific users or sites across the network.

• Check the network admin settings to see if the admin bar is disabled globally or for specific sites.
• Review any network-wide plugins that might be affecting the admin bar functionality.

8. Custom CSS or JavaScript Hiding the Bar

Even if the admin bar is enabled, custom CSS or JavaScript added to your theme or plugins might be hiding it visually. Look for CSS rules like:

Remove or adjust these styles to restore the admin bar’s visibility.

9. Conditional Display Logic in Custom Code

Developers sometimes add conditional logic to display the admin bar only under certain circumstances. 

These filter functions, as we've previously discussed, can prevent you from viewing the admin bar in certain places. 

If you find the following code in the function.php file of your active theme be sure to remove it. 

Here’s what the function may look like:

You can choose to remove it or just change the function to:

Using the Admin Bar Editor to Customize and Prevent Admin Bar Issues

The Admin Bar Editor is a powerful solution for not only customizing but also making sure that the admin bar stays healthy despite the changes you make to it. 

If you’re regularly struggling with a missing or problematic admin bar, this tool can help you regain control and enhance its functionality without causing any undue issues. 

1. Enable or Disable admin bar Items

The Admin Bar Editor allows you to quickly toggle visibility for individual menu items. This is particularly useful if a hidden item is causing confusion:

Go to the Admin Bar Editor settings.

Enable or disable specific menu items in the backend or frontend with just a few clicks.

2. Add New Menu Items

Missing important links in your admin bar? 

With the Editor, you can easily add custom menu items to the admin bar for quick access:

Add links to frequently used plugins, tools, or external URLs.

Organize these items into submenus or secondary menus up to 3 child sub menus for custom navigation.

3. Adjust Menu Settings

Fine-tune the appearance and behavior of your admin bar.

Custom Icons: 

Assign unique icons to menu items for easy identification.

There is an extensive list of custom icons to choose from or you can choose to upload your own custom icon.

"Hidden For" Rules: 

Set visibility rules based on user roles or pick a specific user, ensuring the admin bar displays only what’s relevant to each user.

4. Frontend-Specific Customizations

The admin bar not showing is a common issue that many face but it’s also a requirement for many users. 

Some want to not show the admin bar for guest users, specific roles or even specific team members or users. 

The Admin Bar Editor makes managing the admin bar as easy as pie.

You can use Frontend Conditions to specify if you want to disable the admin bar for all users, specific users or even roles:

For WordPress websites with multiple user roles (e.g., clients, editors, contributors), the Admin Bar Editor helps tailor the admin bar for each role:

• Create a simplified admin bar view for clients to avoid overwhelming them with unnecessary options.
• Hide irrelevant items for non-admin users.

5. Advanced Styling Options

For those who want a polished and branded admin bar, the Editor includes advanced styling options:

Change the background and text colors of the admin bar to match your site’s branding.

Customize dropdown styles or even adjust the "New" button color for a personalized touch.

Even change the position of the admin bar from the top to the bottom if that’s your jam.

6. Submenu and Nested Menu Management

If you rely on nested menus, the Admin Bar Editor makes it easy to organize them:

Add items to submenus or create multi-level menus (e.g., main menu → first submenu → second submenu).

Easily manage these layers without diving into code.

The Admin Bar Editor is more of a preventer rather than a fixer. What we mean is that if you have any of the issues that we discussed earlier, the Admin Bar Editor won’t magically fix all those issues once you install it. 

Rather if you install it when your admin bar is working optimally, it can serve as a debugging tool for the future. If any changes you make in the Admin Bar Editor are not going through then you’ll know there’s other deeper issues affecting your admin bar.

Get Full Control Over Your Admin Bar!

Customize and curate your admin bar to your specifications with the Admin Bar Editor.

Choose Your PlanSee How It Works

Pro Tips to Prevent admin bar Issues in the Future

Ensuring your WordPress admin bar remains functional and hassle-free requires a proactive approach. 

Besides using the Admin Bar Editor, here are some practical tips to help you avoid common pitfalls and keep your admin bar in top shape:

1. Keep WordPress, Themes, and Plugins Updated

Outdated plugins, themes, or WordPress versions are among the top culprits for admin bar issues. Regular updates can minimize compatibility conflicts:

• Set a Schedule: Check for updates weekly or enable automatic updates for plugins and themes.
• Backup First: Always create a backup before applying updates to avoid data loss in case of unexpected errors.

2. Audit User Roles and Capabilities

Misconfigured user roles can accidentally hide the admin bar or restrict menu items:

• Use tools like WP Adminify’s RoleMaster Suite to manage user capabilities.
• Regularly review and fine-tune permissions, ensuring the right users have the appropriate access.

3. Test Custom Code and Plugins on a Staging Site

Custom code snippets or plugins can interfere with admin bar functionality:

• Test all customizations on a staging environment before applying them to your live site.
• Use debugging tools to identify errors or conflicts caused by plugins or code.

4. Regularly Review admin bar Settings

If you’ve customized your admin bar, it’s important to revisit those settings periodically:

• Check visibility rules to ensure they align with your current user roles.
• Use the Admin Bar Editor to add, remove, or modify menu items as needed.

5. Monitor for Theme Conflicts

Certain themes may disable or override the admin bar, especially on the frontend:

• Verify theme settings and ensure the admin bar toggle is enabled.
• Consider switching to a lightweight, well-supported theme if conflicts persist.

6. Minimize Plugin Overload

Too many plugins can slow down your site and increase the likelihood of conflicts:

• Deactivate and delete unnecessary plugins to reduce potential issues.
• Use all-in-one tools like WP Adminify to consolidate functionality and eliminate the need for multiple plugins.

7. Enable Activity Logs for Troubleshooting

If issues arise, activity logs can help you pinpoint the cause:

• Use the Activity Logs addon in WP Adminify to track changes made by users or plugins.
• Look for modifications to settings, user roles, or custom code that might impact the admin bar.

8. Train Your Team or Clients

If multiple users manage your WordPress site, educate them about best practices:

• Share guidelines on user roles and permissions.
• Provide instructions for using tools like the Admin Bar Editor to make controlled changes without breaking the site.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of admin bar issues disrupting your workflow. A little preventive maintenance goes a long way in ensuring a smooth and efficient WordPress experience.

Conclusion

The WordPress admin bar not showing is an issue that can throw a wrench into all your plans and workflow. 

By understanding both common and advanced causes, you’re better equipped to diagnose and resolve issues quickly. From user role settings to plugin conflicts and coding errors, each problem has a practical solution.

Taking it a step further, tools like the Admin Bar Editor help you to not only prevent admin bar issues but also customize it to suit your needs, offering a tailored experience for you and your team. 

Coupled with proactive maintenance and best practices, you can ensure the admin bar remains functional, intuitive, and free of glitches.

With these insights, you’re well on your way to maintaining a seamless and productive WordPress experience. And remember, every challenge is an opportunity to optimize your site for better performance and usability.