---
title: manage_network_plugins
description: "## What is the manage_network_plugins permission in WordPress? The manage_network_plugins permission allows users to activate or deactivate plugins on a WordPress multisite network. The manage_network_plugins permission can't be used without the [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/) permission. If a user has both capabilities, they…"
url: "https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_plugins/"
updated: "2026-10-14"
category: WordPress Permissions / Multisite Permissions
---

# manage_network_plugins

## What is the manage_network_plugins permission in WordPress?

The manage_network_plugins permission allows users to activate or deactivate plugins on a WordPress multisite network.

The manage_network_plugins permission can't be used without the [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/) permission. If a user has both capabilities, they will be able to go to this link:

- My Sites > Network Admin > Sites.
- The user can now see the "Plugins" menu.

![Multisite Plugins](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/multisite-plugins.png)
Multisite Plugins

On the "Plugins" screens, the user can activate or deactivate any plugins on the network using the "Network Activate" or "Network Deactivate" links.

![Multisite Plugin Manage](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/multisite-plugin-manage-1024x579.png)
Multisite Plugin Manage

---

## Who has the manage_network_plugins permission?

The manage_network_plugins permission is available only on multisite networks.

By default, the manage_network_plugins permission is only given to [Super Admins](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin).

Users not in the [Super Admin](https://publishpress.com/links/super-admin) role are not allowed to manage plugins on a multisite network.

---

## Control who has the manage_network_plugins permission

You can control who has the manage_network_plugins permission by installing the [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities) plugin.

- After installing [PublishPress Capabilities](https://publishpress.com/links/capabilities), go to "Capabilities" in your admin menu.
- Using the dropdown in the top-left corner, choose the role you want to edit.
- Enter "manage_network_plugins" into the "Add Capability" box.
- Click "Add to role".

![Manage Network Options Add](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage_network_options-add.png)
Manage Network Options Add

- Check or uncheck the "manage network plugins" box in the "Additional Capabilities" area.

![Manage Network Plugins Box](https://publishpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/manage-network-plugins-box-1024x115.png)
Manage Network Plugins Box

---

## All the Multisite capabilities in WordPress

1. [create_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/create_sites/)
2. [delete_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/delete_sites/)
3. upload_themes
4. upload_plugins
5. [manage_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network/)
6. [manage_network_options](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_options/)
7. [manage_network_plugins](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_plugins/)
8. [manage_network_themes](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_themes/)
9. [manage_network_users](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_network_users/)
10. [manage_sites](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/manage_sites/)
11. [upgrade_network](https://publishpress.com/knowledge-base/upgrade_network/)