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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteFor a working, single-site WordPress installation, change the URL from Settings > General. WordPress Address (URL) identifies where the WordPress core files are installed; Site Address (URL) is the public address visitors use. Change only the field that actually needs changing, enter the complete address without a trailing slash, and save. A domain or directory move is a larger migration: it also requires updating old URLs stored in the database and checking the moved site.
Identify which URL problem you are solving
Choose the procedure that matches your situation before editing anything:
- Simple correction: the site works and one or both addresses in General Settings are wrong.
- HTTPS change: the host is already configured for HTTPS and the site must use the
https://scheme. - New domain or directory: the installation is moving, so old URLs may remain in posts, options, theme settings, widgets, or plugin data.
- Locked or inaccessible site: you cannot edit the settings screen or the current URL prevents dashboard access.
The dashboard method is intended for a working single-site installation. Multisite uses network-specific procedures and should not be changed by blindly applying these single-site steps.
WordPress Address vs. Site Address
| Setting | What it means |
|---|---|
| WordPress Address (URL) | The location of the directory containing WordPress core files, including wp-admin, wp-content, wp-includes, and wp-config.php. |
| Site Address (URL) | The public-facing address visitors enter to reach the site. |
They are normally identical. They differ when WordPress is installed in its own directory while the public site uses another location. Include the correct scheme, such as https://, and omit the final slash.
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Change the URLs from the WordPress dashboard
Use this method when you can sign in and the installation is not undergoing a full domain or path migration.
- Sign in to the WordPress dashboard.
- Open Settings > General.
- Review WordPress Address (URL) and Site Address (URL).
- Change only the field or fields that need changing. Do not make both fields identical if WordPress core is intentionally installed in a separate directory.
- Enter the complete address with the correct scheme and no trailing slash.
- Select Save Changes.
WordPress stores these values in the database. Before saving, verify that the new host resolves to the intended server and that its HTTPS configuration is ready. If a URL constant is defined in wp-config.php, the corresponding field may be locked and cannot be edited here.
When wp-config.php controls the URL
An administrator can define WP_HOME for the public site address and WP_SITEURL for the WordPress core address in wp-config.php. These constants override the matching database values and prevent dashboard editing while they remain defined.
Use this as a controlled override or recovery method, not alongside several competing fixes. Preserve a copy of the original configuration, check whether either constant already exists, and remove temporary overrides once the intended database settings are restored. Removing a constant can expose the older value still stored in the database.
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Recover a site when the dashboard is inaccessible
If a bad URL prevents access, first keep a copy of the current configuration. You can temporarily set the appropriate WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL values in wp-config.php to restore access. An administrator with database access can instead update the relevant URL values in the WordPress options table.
Back up the database before editing it, and use the installation’s actual table prefix rather than assuming it is wp_. After access returns, remove temporary constants or correct the stored settings so the site has one deliberate source of truth.
Moving to a new domain or directory
Changing the two URL settings does not necessarily replace the old address everywhere. Posts, options, theme settings, widgets, and plugins can contain saved URLs. A full move therefore requires both the file/database migration and a careful URL-reference update.
Back up before migration
Keep restorable copies of the site’s files and database before changing the domain, directory, or stored references. An external drive is one optional place to keep a copy; it is not required for the WordPress procedure.
Use a serialization-aware replacement method
Do not run an indiscriminate text replacement across the database. Some WordPress data stores string lengths with serialized values; changing a URL without updating those lengths can corrupt the data. Use a serialization-aware search-and-replace method, such as the WP-CLI search-replace command, or another method specified by WordPress migration guidance. Review the intended tables and scope before applying changes, and retain the original backup until validation is complete.
Account for the rest of the move
A complete move may also involve copying files and the database and updating connection details if the database or user changes. The exact sequence depends on whether only the address is changing or the hosting location is changing as well.
Validate the site after changing its URLs
- Open the homepage and several internal pages.
- Sign in to the administration area and confirm that dashboard links work.
- Open representative media links and check that images and downloads load.
- Test redirects from the old address, if an old domain should redirect to the new one.
- Check permalink behavior and look for links that still contain the old host or path.
- Review pages for missing assets, broken navigation, or display problems caused by stale references.
If the dashboard remains inaccessible, return to the configuration or database recovery route, correct the underlying value, and then remove any temporary override.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose the right method
| Situation | Best starting method | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Working single-site install; settings correction | Settings > General | Simple and writes the intended values to the database. |
| Dashboard locked or temporarily unreachable | wp-config.php constants |
Provides a runtime override when dashboard editing is unavailable. |
| Database access needed to recover a broken setting | Options-table update after a backup | Directly corrects the stored URL values using the real table prefix. |
| New domain or directory | Full migration plus serialization-aware search-replace | Updates URL references beyond the two main settings without damaging serialized data. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should WordPress Address and Site Address always match?
No. They usually match, but they can differ when WordPress core is installed in a separate directory from the public site.
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Why can’t I edit the URL fields in General Settings?
A matching WP_HOME or WP_SITEURL constant in wp-config.php can override the database value and lock the dashboard field.
Can I replace the old domain with SQL across the whole database?
Avoid an indiscriminate replacement. Serialized WordPress data can record string lengths, so use a serialization-aware search-and-replace method after backing up.
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