Troubleshooting FTP Connection Issues
FTP connection problems are common and usually have straightforward solutions. This guide covers the most frequent issues and how to resolve them.
Connection Timed Out
If your FTP client displays a timeout error:
- Check your hostname – Ensure you are using the correct server address. Try using your domain name, server IP, or
ftp.yourdomain.co.uk. - Check the port – Use port
21for FTP or port22for SFTP. - Firewall issues – Your local firewall or antivirus may be blocking the connection. Temporarily disable them to test.
- ISP blocking – Some internet providers block FTP ports. Try switching to SFTP on port 22 as an alternative.
Authentication Failed (530 Error)
If you receive a login failure or 530 error:
- Verify your username – Your FTP username is typically your cPanel username or the full FTP account name including the domain (e.g.,
user@yourdomain.co.uk). - Reset your password – Log in to cPanel, go to FTP Accounts, and change the password for the account.
- Check for IP blocks – Too many failed login attempts can trigger a temporary IP ban. Wait 15 minutes or contact support to unblock your IP.
Connection Established but Directory Listing Failed
If you connect successfully but cannot see any files:
- Switch to passive mode – In FileZilla, go to Edit > Settings > Connection > FTP and set the transfer mode to Passive. Most hosting environments require passive mode.
- Check directory permissions – Ensure the FTP account has access to the directory.
Slow Transfer Speeds
- Limit concurrent connections to 2 or 3 in your FTP client settings.
- Use a wired internet connection instead of Wi-Fi for more stable transfers.
- Try SFTP, which can sometimes be faster due to compression.
TLS/SSL Certificate Errors
If you see certificate warnings when connecting, this is normal for shared hosting. The certificate may not match your domain name exactly. You can safely accept the certificate in FileZilla by clicking OK on the certificate prompt. For added security, use SFTP instead of FTPS.
Still Having Issues?
If none of the above solutions work, provide our support team with the exact error message from your FTP client, your IP address, and the FTP credentials you are using (without the password), and we will investigate further.