A copied WordPress instance in Plesk redirects to original domain

[Suhitha]

Question: A copied WordPress instance in Plesk redirects to original domain


Applicable to:

• Plesk for Linux
• Plesk for Windows

Symptoms

After performing a Website Copying from WordPress website example.com to example.net, the copied one (example.net) redirects to the main domain (example.com).


Cause

As the Website Copying function creates the exact copy of the site, the WordPress URL and wp-config.php file are not changed.


Resolution

Note: The best way to copy a WordPress site in order to avoid the issue described in this article is to use WP Toolkit Cloning feature. WP Toolkit will handle the changes automatically. In case cloning is not an option, proceed with the following resolution:

After copying a website and its database the following needs to be done:

1. Connect the copied website to the appropriate database:

a) Log into Plesk UI;

b) Retrieve the Database name, user, and the password from the copied website at Domains > example.net > Databases:



c) With that done, go to Domains > example.net (copied website) > File Manager > httpdocs > and open the wp-config.php file;

d) Correct DB_NAME , DB_USER , and DB_PASSWORD with the information taken on step 1-b;

2. Define the address of the new website in WordPress settings through WP_HOME and WP_SITEURL variables in the wp-config.php file according to this guide.

3. Go to Domains > <copied_website_name> > WordPress

4. Update Access Credentials if it is required.

Note: Some plugins can be configured to redirect the website to the other website. In this case, disable plugins one-by-one and check the website availability.