How to Reorder and Remove Admin Menu Items in WordPress?

royjemee

Updated: November 2, 2025

3 Mins read

WordPress admin menu can feel like a mess. Plugins, themes, and core features all compete for attention, leaving you scrolling and clicking like you’re on a scavenger hunt. If you’ve ever wished for a tidier, more efficient dashboard, you’re in luck!

There are basically two answers to the question "How to Reorder or Remove WordPress Admin Menu Items": The old-school coding method or the much easier (and fun) route using WP Adminify’s Admin Menu Editor. Let’s go ahead and break it down.

How to Reorder or Remove WordPress Admin Menu Items: The Coding Route (For the Brave Souls)

If you enjoy tinkering with code, you can clean up your menu with some PHP magic. Just pop this into your theme’s functions.php file to remove certain menu items from the dashboard menu:

function customize_admin_menu() {
    // Remove a menu item
    remove_menu_page('edit.php'); // Hides Posts
    
    // Reorder menu items - custom order example
    global $menu;
    $menu = array(
        $menu[2], // Dashboard
        $menu[4], // Separator
        $menu[5], // Posts  
    );
}
add_action('admin_menu', 'customize_admin_menu');

Now, removing items with code is pretty easy but reordering admin menu items is a completely different beast altogether!

Reordering menu items requires code on both the server and frontend. To put it simply, it's a nightmare.

Why put yourself through it?

Let's just look at the best option to remove and reorder menu items.

A method that won't give you lasting PTSD.

How to Reorder or Remove WordPress Admin Menu Items: The No-Code Method with WP Adminify (Highly Recommended)

For a simple, stress-free solution, WP Adminify’s Admin Menu Editor has you covered and then some.

Here’s how to hide admin menu in WordPress without touching a single line of code:

Step 1: Install and Activate WP Adminify

Head to your WordPress dashboard >>> Go to Plugins > Add New >>> Search for “WP Adminify,” hit Install Now, and then activate it. Simple.

Follow this documentation for a detailed setup guide.

Step 2: Access the Admin Menu Editor

Navigate to WP Adminify > Admin Menu on your dashboard.

Step 3: Reorder Menu Items (As Easy as Drag-and-Drop)

Go to the Menu Editor tab.

Click, drag, and drop it into your preferred position. Boom, done.

Hit Save to lock in the changes.

As simple as that. No code witchcraft needed, no stress incurred. Barely takes a few seconds.

Step 4: Hide or Remove Menu Items (No Mess, No Fuss)

Select the menu item you want to hide or remove.

Click on the Settings tab

Under "Hidden for Rules," choose which user roles (like Editors or Subscribers) shouldn’t see it.

Save your changes, and voila! Now it’s gone for the selected users.

Why WP Adminify Is the Better Choice?

Sure, coding works, but not everyone can do it. WP Adminify makes life so much easier and lowers the barrier to entry significantly for all user types on WordPress regardless of their expertise.

And just to make it clear, WP Adminify doesn’t stop at just reordering and hiding menu items. It’s packed with many other admin menu customization features. Think of it as your all-in-one toolkit for admin productivity:

No coding required: Perfect for beginners and busy pros who don’t want to mess with PHP.
Visual and fast: Reorganize your menu in seconds with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
Role-based control: Hide menu items based on roles, keeping dashboards clean for your team.
Rename and customize: Change menu item names to suit your workflow or add separators for better organization.
Flexible Layout Options: Switch between Vertical and Horizontal menus. Choose from styles like Default, Folded, or Rounded to match your preference.
Submenu Styles: Tidy up submenus with options like Accordion or Toggle for a cleaner hierarchy.
Add Custom Menu Items: Add as many menu items and sub-menu items as you want.
Adjust Menu Style: Change menu layout options, menu width, menu fonts, and item colors.
User Personalization: Show or hide user information, and customize avatars as Rounded or Square.

These are just features under the Admin Menu Editor. Check out our docs to get detailed instructions on how to use these features.

Adminify boasts hundreds of other very helpful features such as Dark Mode, Dashboard Widgets Editor, White labeling, Login Customizer, and many more productivity-improving features to create an optimized workspace that feels uniquely yours.

Remove Admin Menu Items — FAQs

How can I reorder WordPress admin menu without coding?

You can easily reorder the WordPress admin menu using WP Adminify’s Admin Menu Editor. After installing and activating the plugin, go to WP Adminify > Admin Menu > Menu Editor tab. Simply click and drag any menu item (like Posts, Pages, or Plugins) into your desired position. Hit Save, and your custom admin menu order is applied instantly. No PHP or functions.php edits needed. This drag-and-drop interface works for all user roles and supports both vertical and horizontal menu layouts.

Can I change admin menu items, labels or add custom menu items in WordPress?

Yes! WP Adminify lets you change admin menu labels and add custom menu items without code.

To rename a menu item: Click it in the Menu Editor, go to Settings, and edit the Menu Title.
To add a custom menu item: Click “Add New Menu”, enter a title, URL, icon, and even sub-items.

You can also insert menu separators for better organization. Great for creating client-friendly dashboards or internal tools.

How can I hide dashboard menu items from the WordPress admin menu safely?

WP Adminify lets you hide unnecessary WordPress admin menu items without code or site risks. Go to WP Adminify > Admin Menu, select an item like “Comments,” and under “Hidden for Rules,” choose roles (e.g., Subscribers) to exclude. Save, and it’s gone instantly. Unlike remove_menu_page in functions.php, which can break on updates, WP Adminify’s visual editor is stable, reversible, and role-specific. Perfect for cleaning cluttered dashboards.

Can I hide the WordPress admin bar for subscribers without code?

Yes, you can. WP Adminify hides the admin bar for subscribers (or any role) with one toggle. In WP Adminify > Admin Menu settings, enable “Hide Admin Bar” for selected roles. No CSS or functions.php edits needed. This keeps front-end clean for membership sites while admins retain full access. Safer and easier than manual code.

Why are dashboard menu items missing after a plugin install?

Plugins using remove_menu_page can hide menu items globally, causing conflicts. WP Adminify fixes this: activate it, go to Menu Editor, and restore items via drag-and-drop or visibility toggles. Reset to defaults with one click. It overrides plugin changes safely, no debugging required.

How do I remove menu items from WordPress admin?

Use WP Adminify Admin Menu Editor to hide, rename, or reorder any menu item. You can set visibility per user role without writing code.

Can I hide admin menu items for specific users?

Yes. WP Adminify lets you show or hide menu items based on user roles. Hide Plugins and Settings for editors while keeping them visible for admins.

Will removing admin menu items break anything?

Hiding menu items only removes them from the sidebar. The functionality still works and pages are accessible via direct URL unless you also restrict capabilities.

Final Thoughts

Whether you love code or prefer a no-fuss solution, customize your WordPress admin menu can be a game-changer. For most users, WP Adminify’s Admin Menu Editor is the clear winner. It's quick, intuitive, and no risk of breaking your site.

Give it a try and turn your cluttered dashboard into a productivity powerhouse.