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Changing the primary domain of a WordPress Multisite network is a coordinated migration, not a single URL edit. You must update DNS, the web server and TLS certificate, the Multisite constants in wp-config.php, network and per-site database records, embedded URLs, rewrite rules, caches, and every site’s login and front-end paths. Make a tested database and file backup first, stage the new hostname, and keep the old domain available for rollback until the entire network passes validation.

Decide which change you actually need

There are two different operations that are often described as “changing a Multisite domain.” Choose the correct one before editing anything.

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Operation What changes Database and server scope Typical reason
Primary network-domain migration The hostname used to bootstrap the whole network changes. DNS, TLS, web-server configuration, wp-config.php, network tables, every site’s URL options, embedded content, rewrites and caches. Moving the network from an old company domain to a new one.
One-subsite domain mapping One site receives a separate public hostname while the network domain remains the same. The mapped site’s address, DNS/TLS and mapping configuration; the network bootstrap constants normally stay unchanged. Giving a department, client or campaign its own domain.

For a mapped subsite, use Multisite’s domain-mapping workflow and enter the complete URL in that site’s Site Address field. Do not change DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE merely to give one subsite a custom hostname; that constant identifies the network’s bootstrap domain.

Inventory the network before touching production

WordPress describes a Multisite move as more complicated than a single-site move because the database contains multiple references to the server name and folder locations. Build an inventory so you know which values must remain unchanged and which must move.

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  • Record whether the network uses subdomains or subdirectories, for example site.example.com versus example.com/site.
  • Record the network base path, including whether it is installed at / or in a directory such as /wordpress/.
  • List every mapped domain, redirect, CDN or reverse-proxy rule, page-cache rule and object-cache configuration.
  • Identify cron jobs, REST integrations, XML-RPC consumers, webhooks, SMTP or other mail dependencies that contain the old hostname.
  • Note the database table prefix. It is often wp_, but it may be custom; never assume the prefix when writing SQL or checking tables.
  • Save the original wp-config.php, web-server configuration and rewrite files separately from the normal backup.

Make backups you can restore

Export the complete database and copy the WordPress files, including wp-content, uploads, plugins, themes and configuration. Test restoration on a staging server or a separate database before the domain cutover. A backup that has never been restored is not a rollback plan.

Keep the old database, original configuration and old rewrite rules unchanged until the new network has passed testing. Take another backup immediately before the final search-and-replace so you have a precise pre-cutover recovery point.

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Prepare DNS, the web server and HTTPS

DNS

Create the records required by the new hostname before changing WordPress. Depending on the architecture, that may be an address record, an alias, wildcard DNS for a subdomain network, or records for a reverse proxy. Keep the old hostname resolving to the existing server while you test; visitors and background jobs may still use it during the transition.

Web-server virtual host

Add the new hostname to the server’s accepted hostnames and point it at the same WordPress document root or application pool. Apache, IIS and Nginx use different configuration and rewrite syntax. A DNS change alone does not make the application respond correctly: the request must reach the right site definition, PHP runtime and filesystem.

TLS certificate

Install a certificate covering the new hostname before forcing HTTPS. A subdomain network may also need a certificate that covers the wildcard or every mapped hostname, while a subdirectory network generally needs the single network hostname plus any mapped domains. Confirm that the certificate chain is complete and that HTTP-to-HTTPS redirects do not create a loop.

Test the new host with a temporary local hosts-file entry or a staging hostname if DNS propagation is not complete. This lets you check the server and certificate without exposing an unfinished migration to all visitors.

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Update the Multisite constants in wp-config.php

Find the generated Multisite block in wp-config.php. The critical network bootstrap values are:

  • DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE: change this to the new primary network hostname.
  • PATH_CURRENT_SITE: keep this aligned with the network’s base path, such as / or /wordpress/. Do not remove a directory component merely because the domain changed.
  • MULTISITE: leave enabled.
  • SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL: leave true for a subdomain network and false for a subdirectory network unless you are deliberately changing the network architecture.
  • SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE and BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE: retain the existing IDs unless the migration specifically changes network identity.

A typical block might look like this, with values adapted to your installation:

define( 'MULTISITE', true );
define( 'SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', true );
define( 'DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'new.example.com' );
define( 'PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/' );
define( 'SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );
define( 'BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );

These constants control how WordPress finds the network during bootstrap. They do not update stored links, media URLs, site addresses, serialized settings or redirect rules elsewhere in the database.

Do not leave RELOCATE enabled

RELOCATE can be useful for a narrow troubleshooting case, but it should not remain enabled after testing. The migration handbook warns that, in some configurations, leaving it active can allow an attacker to change the site URL. Remove it and restore the original configuration once the correct values are in place.

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Update network and per-site database addresses

Use a database client or a trusted migration tool to inspect records rather than changing only the first site you see. The exact table names depend on your prefix.

Network tables

  • <prefix>_site stores the network domain and path.
  • <prefix>_blogs stores each site’s domain and path within the network.

For a primary-domain change, update the network domain and every affected site domain or path consistently with the chosen subdomain or subdirectory architecture. A subdomain network normally keeps the site-specific subdomain portion while changing the shared base domain; a subdirectory network normally keeps the path portion while changing the host.

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Each site’s options table

The main site uses <prefix>_options. A site with ID 2 normally uses <prefix>_2_options, site 3 uses <prefix>_3_options, and so on. Review the home and siteurl rows in every site’s options table. Where it exists, review fileupload_url as well.

Check for old hostnames in plugin settings, theme options, widget data, navigation menus, custom fields, forms, serialized options and post content. Some values may include the old directory path as well as the old domain, so replace the complete old URL pattern with the complete new pattern rather than changing only a hostname fragment.

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Do not use an unsafe blanket SQL replacement

PHP serializes many arrays and objects used by themes, widgets and plugins. A raw SQL expression that replaces text without recalculating serialized string lengths can corrupt those values and make settings unreadable. Use a serialization-aware migration tool or WP-CLI, and run a dry run first.

wp search-replace 'https://old.example.com' 'https://new.example.com' --all-tables-with-prefix --precise --recurse-objects --dry-run

Review the dry-run table list and counts. Confirm that the command is aimed at the intended database, includes the correct table prefix, and excludes unrelated schemas. After verifying the report and taking a fresh backup, run the same replacement without --dry-run. If your old URLs used HTTP, a directory path or several hostname variants, handle each deliberate variant separately and document the order.

Do not automatically replace the guid column merely to make it match the new domain. GUIDs are intended to remain stable identifiers; change them only when you have a specific, tested reason and understand the effects on feeds and integrations.

Choose the right architecture for subdomains and subdirectories

Characteristic Subdomain network Subdirectory network
Typical site address site.new.example.com new.example.com/site
Primary database change Shared domain values in network and site records; preserve each site’s subdomain label. Shared host values in network and site records; preserve each site’s path.
DNS consideration Often requires wildcard or individually managed subdomain records. Usually one primary host record, plus records for any mapped domains.
Rewrite consideration Host-based routing must continue to resolve each subdomain. Path-based rewrites must preserve the network base path and site directories.

Do not change SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL as a shortcut for changing a domain. Switching between subdomains and subdirectories is a separate migration that changes addresses, rewrite behavior, cookies and server configuration for every site.

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Refresh rewrite rules, caches and background services

Replace or regenerate the Multisite rewrite configuration after the host and path values are correct. Apache may use a Multisite section in .htaccess; IIS uses its own rewrite rules; Nginx requires an equivalent configuration written for Nginx. Copying Apache rules into Nginx, or retaining a rule that still names the old directory, can produce redirect loops, 404 errors or a network that loads only its main site.

From the WordPress dashboard, visit Settings → Permalinks and save the existing settings to refresh rewrite rules where your server permits WordPress to write them. On managed or locked-down servers, deploy the equivalent server configuration manually and reload the web server through the host’s documented process.

  • Clear WordPress object caches and page caches.
  • Purge CDN and reverse-proxy caches after the new hostname is active.
  • Update cache keys, allowed-host lists and origin settings.
  • Review cron commands and scheduled jobs for the old URL or old path.
  • Update REST, XML-RPC, webhook and external API allow-lists where applicable.
  • Check sitemap, robots and feed endpoints on the new host.

Validate every site before redirecting the old domain

Test the new hostname with a representative account and with a user who is not an administrator. A network can appear healthy while one subsite, mapped domain or background endpoint still uses the old address.

  1. Open the main site over HTTPS and confirm the canonical host, title, navigation and internal links.
  2. Open the front end of every subsite, including sites with custom themes, unusual languages or mapped domains.
  3. Sign in and sign out from the network administration area and each site dashboard.
  4. Check that cookies are scoped correctly. A stale domain or path attribute can cause repeated logins, cross-site login leakage or a dashboard that immediately logs you out.
  5. Load images, documents and other media uploaded before the migration. Inspect the actual request URL and browser console for mixed-content warnings.
  6. Submit forms, comments and any commerce or membership workflows that the network uses.
  7. Call REST and XML-RPC endpoints used by mobile apps, integrations or editorial tools.
  8. Run scheduled tasks and confirm that cron callbacks use the new host and complete successfully.
  9. Inspect redirects for both HTTP and HTTPS, with and without a trailing slash, and for old site paths. Confirm there are no loops or chains longer than necessary.
  10. Fetch sitemaps, feeds and robots output and verify that links expose the intended canonical domain.
  11. Review server, PHP and WordPress logs for host-header errors, database failures, 404 responses and redirect loops.

Domain mapping documentation specifically warns that the full URL must be entered and that cookie or login problems can occur. Treat a successful front-page load as only the first test, not proof that the migration is complete.

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Cut over and retain a controlled rollback

When validation succeeds, lower-risk DNS changes can be completed and the new hostname can become the public canonical address. Keep the old domain serving the same application long enough to issue a controlled HTTP 301 redirect to the corresponding new URL. Preserve paths and query strings where possible so visitors and search engines reach the same content.

Do not redirect the old domain until the new network is healthy. If the new host produces widespread login failures, broken media, incorrect site routing or database errors, restore the original wp-config.php, database and rewrite configuration, point DNS back if necessary, clear caches, and investigate from the preserved rollback copy. A redirect added too early can hide the original failure and make recovery harder.

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Troubleshoot by symptom and layer

The new domain shows the wrong site or a generic server page

Check DNS resolution, the web-server host definition, the document root and the active PHP pool. Confirm that the request reaches the intended WordPress installation before changing database values.

The main site works but subsites return 404 errors

Compare the network’s subdomain or subdirectory mode with SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL, inspect <prefix>_blogs domain/path rows, and regenerate the correct Apache, IIS or Nginx rewrites. Verify that wildcard DNS or host mappings exist for subdomain sites.

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Users are repeatedly logged out

Check HTTPS consistency, cookie domain and path behavior, cached login pages, and whether an old hostname remains in site URL settings. Test in a private browser window after purging object and page caches.

Images or links still use the old domain

Search all prefixed tables with a serialization-aware tool, including post content, options, widget data and plugin tables. Check for both HTTP and HTTPS variants and for an old directory path. Do not repair serialized values with an unstructured SQL replacement.

Redirects loop or alternate between two hosts

Inspect WordPress URL options, web-server redirects, CDN rules and any reverse proxy that terminates TLS. Make one layer the authoritative HTTPS redirect and ensure the origin sees the correct forwarded protocol and host headers.

Only one mapped subsite fails

Verify that its full URL is entered in the Site Address field, that its DNS record and certificate exist, and that the mapping points to the correct site ID. Do not alter the network’s bootstrap constants for a single-site mapping problem.

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Managed hosting versus self-managed infrastructure

Area Self-managed server Managed WordPress hosting
DNS and TLS You create records, configure virtual hosts and obtain or renew certificates. The host may provide DNS and certificate controls, but you must confirm Multisite and mapped-domain support.
Rewrite rules You deploy and reload Apache, Nginx or IIS configuration yourself. The host may restrict server files; request the provider’s Multisite rewrite procedure.
Database migration You can run WP-CLI and database backups directly, subject to your change controls. Use the host’s supported tools and confirm that serialized search-and-replace is available.
Rollback You control DNS, snapshots, configuration and service restarts. Confirm restoration points, DNS rollback timing and support access before the cutover.

Choose an environment that explicitly supports WordPress Multisite, DNS management and TLS certificates. Regardless of hosting model, you remain responsible for checking every site, mapped hostname, login and integration.

Operational checklist

  • Inventory network type, base path, sites, mappings, redirects, caches and integrations.
  • Test a complete database and filesystem restore.
  • Prepare DNS, web-server host configuration and a valid certificate.
  • Change DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE and verify PATH_CURRENT_SITE.
  • Leave Multisite mode, site IDs and subdomain/subdirectory mode unchanged unless that is the intended migration.
  • Update <prefix>_site, <prefix>_blogs and every site’s options table.
  • Run a dry-run, serialization-aware search-and-replace, then execute it only after reviewing the target tables.
  • Regenerate rewrites and purge object, page and CDN caches.
  • Test front end, administration, cookies, media, forms, APIs, cron, feeds and redirects for every site.
  • Keep the old configuration and domain available for a controlled 301 and rollback.
  • Remove any temporary RELOCATE setting.

“Multisite is somewhat more complicated to move, as the database itself has multiple references to the server name as well as the folder locations.” — WordPress.org, Migrating WordPress – Advanced Administration Handbook

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