FileZilla is a free and very useful FTP utility. However, its design is not very intuitive. Once it is installed, many users just sit there and scratch their heads trying to figure out what to do next. In this tutorial, we will lead you through some of the basic functions to help get you started. Believe me, you will like it once you learn how to use it.
At this point, it is assumed that you have already downloaded and installed FileZilla on your PC. If you have not, check out our FileZilla installation tutorial.
If you are setting up your first web site or are a complete newbie when it comes to using an FTP utility, you do need to make sure that you have the following information. Your hosting company should have supplied you with FTP connection information when you set up the hosting service.
Here is what you need:
- Address This is a hostname (also called Host) or IP address. A hostname is simply the domain name for your site (example: mydomainname.com). Sometimes an FTP Address may look like ftp.mydomainname.com. If your site uses a dedicated IP address, this can be used, but it will only work if you have a dedicated IP address assigned to the site. Most hosting configurations use an IP address shared with other web sites and in this situation an IP address cannot be used.
- User The username assigned to your FTP connection. This is likely different than the username assigned to you to access your site’s control panel, but in some cases the hosting company may use the same username and password.
- Password The password assigned to your FTP connection. Once again, this is very likely different than the password assigned to you to access your site’s control panel.
- Port A port can be envisioned as a special pathway into your server. Different types of server access use different ports. The standard port for FTP access is port 21. Use this port unless your hosting company indicates that you should use another.
You should have received all of this information from your hosting company when you set up your hosting account. If you do not have it, you must obtain it before you can connect to your server using FileZilla or any other FTP utility.
First, let’s get familiar with FileZilla’s toolbar and the functions you will find there. After you have installed FileZilla, start it up. You should see the following.
The toolbar is the section near the top. Let’s cover the toolbar icon buttons we find there.
- Quickconnect Use the Quickconnect function if you need to do a one-time connection. Just fill in the Address, User, Password and Port information as requested and click the Quickconnect button. You should see the connection log information scroll through the screen just below the Quickconnect section. If the connection is made, you will see a lot of green text messages in the main window. From this point, use the Local Site window to select the local folder on your PC where you have the web site files stored. Use the Remote Site window to select the folder or directory on your server. You must transfer the home page and other root directory (the default main directory) files into the root directory for your site. The root directory for most web sites is usually named public_html or html. If you see one of these directories listed in the Remote Site window, select it. If you do not see any directory or folder names, then you are probably already in the root directory. To disconnect from the server, just click the Quickconnect button again.
- Site Manager This section allows you to set up a list of FTP server connections that can be saved. See the section below entitled Using the Site Manager to Set Up an FTP Connection.
- Show or Hide Local Treeview This switches the Local Site directory and file windows back and forth. It is useful for viewing a list of files.
- Show or Hide Remote Treeview The same as the button listed above. This switches the Remote Site directory and file windows back and forth. It is useful for viewing a list of files or finding a specific directory from a long list.
- Show of Hide Queue The Queue window is the large window at the bottom that displays the list of files waiting for transfer.
- Show or Hide the Message Log The Message Log is the large window just below the Quickconnect section that displays FTP messages. It is a good idea to leave this open for troubleshooting purposes. it is not uncommon for FTP transfers to fail.
- Refresh All Views This simply refreshes all the data displayed in the windows.
- Reconnect to Server Most servers automatically disconnect FTP connections after a preset period of inactivity. Clicking on this button restores the connection.
- Display Help Table of Contents if all else fails and you cannot figure out how to accomplish something, read the instructions in the Help section. 😀
Using the Site Manager to Set Up an FTP Connection.
- Click on the Site Manager button. The screen shown above should display.
- To set up a new FTP connection, click on the New Site button.
- Enter the Host (same as the Address).
- The Port should show the default port 21. If your host uses a different Port, change it here.
- Under the Logontype, select the Normal radio button in the middle. You can now enter the User (same as the Username) and Password. You do not have to enter anything in the box labeled Account unless your hosting service requires it.
- Enter the Password. If you are using a shared computer or if you wish to keep other users (kids, family, friends or a computer thief) from accessing your site, check the box marked Don’t Save password.
- Click the Rename button and name your FTP connection something useful, such as the domain name of the site.
- Click the Save and Exit button
Click on the Site Manager button once again, select your FTP connection and click on the Connect button to test the connection. If the connection fails, recheck the Host, Port, Username and Password data that you used. If these do not work, contact your hosting company’s tech support or your company’s IT Support team. Sometimes the use of server or network firewalls requires special configurations.
How to Transfer Files Using FileZilla
Transferring files using FileZilla couldn’t be easier, but once again, it is not apparent due to the nature of the simple design.
Once the FTP connection is made, navigate to the correct folders and files in both the Local Site window and the Remote Site window. To transfer a file, either drag and drop it from the left window (Local Site) to the right window (Remote Site), or simply double-click on a file in the Local Site window. Either method adds the file to the queue and it will be transferred.
The next tutorial in this series (currently being developed) will cover FileZilla Advanced Tips. Stop in again and look for these tips to take you to the next level with FileZilla.
FileZilla is frequently referred to a FireZilla (as in Fire). I am not sure how this alternate name originated, but the correct name is indeed FileZilla. However, you can call it anything you wish and it will still be a useful FTP utility. 😀
Dede says
thanks for the help. This is great.
Robert says
I am a first time updater, with self taught, limited knowledge, but many tutorials. I found you through Google >(CuteFTP tutorials), and you were at the bottom of the first page. While scratching my head after downloading the updater. I firmly believe this tutorial has saved me from a nervous breakdown.
I will steer anyone in my predicament your way. Great Job, and Thank You!!
Best Regards,
Bob Bengis
Pam says
thanks for the info – do you know how to keep it from disconnecting while downloading a number of files?? when I reconnect – do I need to restart the download or will the total file be complete as it resumes? thanks
TE says
Hi Pam
Disconnect problems are usually related to server configuration issues. There are different FTP solutions that can be used with each server. It’s hard to predict what will happen with your server configuration, but generally speaking, a FireZilla FTP session that is disconnected should start up where it left off once it reconnects.
Jim says
This is great, but I have some folders that do not appear in my local window when using Filezilla. How do I give permission for filezilla to access these local folders?
TE says
Hi Jim
The left side local menu is an expanding menu. Have you clicked on the plus box to view the sub-menus?
Also check under View, Local List View. Make sure that Details or List is checked.
A 3rd thought is that you may have accidentally expanded a window on the left and hid the local window. You should see a window labeled Local Site and another labeled Filename. If you don’t see both, try dragging a border to expose the missing window.
Howard says
Excellent tutorial. Got my files uploaded. Site works with index.htm but gives 500 error (scripting problem) when index file saved and uploaded as index.php. My ISP says I need to alter the permissions for the index.php file to 644 but I cannot see where to do this – only -rw-r–r– and nowhere to enter 644. Can you help please? Many thanks.
TE says
Hi Howard
We have a tips page that shows how to change permissions in FileZilla.
http://www.tech-evangelist.com/2007/07/15/filezilla-tips/
644 is the standard permissions setting for scripts.
-rw-r--r-- means that the permissions are already set at 644.
Permissions are not the problem. You have a problem with your script. Take a look at any PHP code you added to the script. The server cannot process the page due to an error.
evelyn says
FileZilla is a great and easy program to use. However I loaded some pictures that need to be deleated – I can’t find anywhere a way to do that. Can you help me please?
Thanks so much.
TE says
It’s pretty easy to delete files. Just make the connection to your site, migrate to the image directory, find the image that you want to delete, right click on the file and select Delete.
Piece of cake!
TMac says
I’m trying FileZilla for the first time due to problems with Dreamweaver MX Synchronizing. I eventually found how to start the transfer (click in the Local Site window) but it then started transferring the files to the wrong remote folder. How can I stop it transferring? It’s doing it despite my disconnecting from the Remote server.
TE says
Hi TMAc
Try opening the specific folders that you want to transfer to and from and you should be able to avoid the problem of files going into the wrong folder. You can also drag-and-drop files from the Local to Remote site, ot vice versa.
As an added precaution, make sure that Ask is checked under Transfer, File Overwrite Settings. If you accidentally start to transfer the wrong file you can then tell FileZilla to skip the transfer.
I don’t know of a way to actually stop a transfer, other than disconnecting. There should be a better way to abort a transfer.
Rosemarie Foster says
Hi; This is the first time I have tried to down load my web site files. I’m having a lot of trouble. When I drag my files over to the left. Do I hit upload to get them in my site? When I first did it. They went right into my files. They all didn’t come over so I deleted everything and started over again. This is discouraging. Thank you for your help. Rosemarie
TE says
Hi Rosemarie
You don’t need to hit any buttons when you use the drag-and-drop method.
You should see two windows on the left in FileZilla. One is named Local Site and other is just below it named Filename. The Filename is the local directory you have selected from the Local Site window. If you use the drag-and-drop method, make sure that you are dropping the files into the correct directory.
If you do not see two windows, then drag the lower border on the Local Site window to view the lower window. Sometimes it is hidden. I didn’t see it at first when I did my first FileZilla install. If the window is just barely peeking out, like you see in the images above, then drag the border to open the window further. All of the windows are expandable in Filezilla.
FileZilla ia a great freebie tool once you learn how to use it, but it can initially be frustrating because like most freebie software it is not very intuitive.
krysten says
Hi there,
Thanks for posting this information, I have found it very helpful.
One very annoying problem is beyond frustrating me, maybe you can help?
My webpage was originally hosted on Geocities and I had my images hosted though PhotoBucket – but when I upload html files to FileZilla the image won’t open – I viewed the source of my new page and for some reason FileZilla overwrites the PhotoBucket link, downloads the image and creates a new folder to host it.
This wouldn’t be a problem if it meant that the image loaded – but it doesn’t and that really peeves me off because it seems that no matter what I do: including shifting the folder around then deleting everything and re-uploading, I can’t get the darn images up there!
Arrrgh!
I have edited the html to remove the images until I work out how to host them – but even after deleting the old files and uploading the new ones my webpage will not change. Does it perhaps take a while to update online?
If you have any suggestions please let me know!!
Regards,
Krysten
TE says
Hi Krysten
FileZilla is not the problem. FTP utilities do not alter your files. They are simply a file transfer utility. If your files are being altered, the hosting company or the web server is doing it.
I’ve been developing web sites for 11 years and I have never seen a situation where HTML code was being altered except when a server was infected with a virus or the hosting company placed restrictions on how you could use their services. I would report this to the hosting company. You might find that the hosting company is altering your code if it is a free hosting account that places restrictions on what you can and cannot do with a web site.
If you are using the freebie version of Geocities, that could be the problem.
The real question is, why are you hosting your images at PhotoBucket? The standard method for hosting images is to host them locally on your web site in a directory called images. Also, you can only use .jpg, .gif and .png image files with a web site. Do not use Windows bitmap (.bmp), TIFF (.tif) or other image formats with a web site.
The problem is most likely a hosting company issue. Move your images into an image directory and set up the proper HTML links to the image files.
Hope this helps. 🙂
Laurel says
How do I use filezilla to back up my site on my computer?
TE says
All you need to do is to transfer all of the scripts and web objects from your site (Remote Site) to your PC (Local Site).
james says
Hi, I am trying to delete an index file which I no longer want on my site but when trying to delete the file i get-550 index.htm: Access is denied. Any ideas what i need to do to delete as I have tried a few times now??
Just to add, I am using filezilla when trying to delete htm file
Thanks!
TE says
Hi James
550 probably refers to the permission level set for the file, which would be -r-x-r-x--- This does not give you the ability to write to or delete this file. In fact, it does not give a user the ability to even view the file.
The file permissions for an HTML file should be set to 644 (-rw-r--r--)
Try this. Make the connection to the site. You should see the Permissions assigned to the file in the right column of the Remote Site window. To change the permissions to 644, right click on the file name and select File Attributes. Change the numeric value to 644 and click OK.
If the Permissions have changed in the column on the Remote Site window, you should now be able to delete the file.
If you cannot change the permissions or delete the file, it is probably assigned to a different owner. That means that you might need root access to your server to change it manually, or you could have your hosting company remove it. You then need to ask the question, “How did the permissions get changed?” If you did not do it accidentally, it is possible that your site was hacked.
james says
Hi TE, thanks for the reply. Changed permissions to 644 but still access denied. What I can do though is keep my host control panel open and delete there, its more work but does the job.
Ok, another headace in filezilla, when I go to update any files it refuses to update it by saying- 550 price.htm: Access is denied. Any ideas?
Appreciate your feedback
Cheers, James
TE says
Hi James
I don’t think this is a FileZilla problem. Have you tried another FTP utility?
I checked into the error code and a code 550 is a permissions error.
There are only two primary issues that will prevent you from deleting a file: file permissions and file ownership. Either one could give you a permissions problem with deleting the files. Basically, if you do not have the rights to do something, the server will not allow you to do it.
Did you check to see if the permissions actually changed? If they changed, it is probably not an ownership problem and you should be able to delete the file.
It may be that you have an ownership issue withe the files. If those pages are generated by another system, the developer probably set up a special owner for the files to add some security. I do that for sites that dynamically generate static pages.
FileZilla doesn’t display the file owner information and I don’t think you can change ownership using FileZilla. You will need root access to your server through SSH. The easiest way to deal with this would probably be to have the techs at your hosting company delete the files. That have root access to the server.
You could verify this by trying another FTP utility. There are freebie versions of WS_FTP on the web. Sometimes your hosting company offers free versions of FTP utilities.
Janet says
Thanks! This is great information!
I do have 1 question though.
I’m transferring some huge files (over 20GB). Every so often, my informational window gives the red Error message ‘Disconnected from server’ and the Remote Site pane and its’ filelist are blank. However, the status window on the bottom of the screen still shows the numbers moving, time elapsing and the Status is ‘Transferring’.
At that point, do I have to click the Server => ‘Reconnect’ button to restart the transfer, or is the transfer actually still going?
Thanks for your help!
TE says
Hi Janet
I think what you are seeing is a server timeout for the FTP connection. All servers have a limit as to how long they will keep a connection open. The time limit depends upon how your server’s FTP connection has been configured by your hosting company.
If you are still seeing data transferring, it could be that FileZilla is keeping the connection open, or you could just be seeing data loading into a buffer. From what you are describing, it sounds like the connection is breaking. This is most likely a server configuration timeout issue, but it could be due to a slow connection due to a bogged-down Internet (it does that during peak use periods) or it could be due to data packet loss from a bad connection. I don’t think there is anything that you can do to prevent an occassional drop-out.
If the transfer is indeed stopping or stalling, check the Connection settings found in Edit > Settings > Connection. The Keep Alive Settings box should be checked and Timeout Detection should be set to 300 seconds. The old default setting was 30. With a high-speed connection, 300 seconds should be more than enough to transfer a 20GB file.
Even is the server disconnects from FileZilla, the FTP transfer should pick up where it left off when you reconnect again.
If you are still having problems, you should report it to the techs at your hosting company. There are dozens of issues that can cause connection dropouts. A lot depends upon how your hosting company has set up the FTP connections on the server.
bas says
hi.. TE
I have problem when upload image using file zilla, the image doesn’t come up at the web just only red X .
TE says
Hi bas
That is not a FileZilla problem. You have a problem with the path to your images in your HTML code. Check your HTML code, or if you do not read and write HTML code, have someone check it for you. Either the image path is wrong or you are placing your images in the wrong directory.
david says
Hi TE,
I have the latest Filezilla and it should be able to do server to server transfers. The thing is, I just cannot work out how to do it.
All I have is local folders one side and remote on the other. If I try to connect to 1 ftp then another it just says “do you want to close current”. Click no results in nothing happening. Cannot see any appropriate setting, and googling has not turned up the answer as yet.
Any help would be appreciated.
TE says
Hi David
We do use server-to-server transfers, but our local server is a development box that is part of our internal network, so it is easy to access. That is different than trying to set up a transfer between two different Internet servers.
I have not tried to set up a transfer between two web servers.
FileZilla 3.0.0 was recently released, but I don’t see any mention of adding a server-to-server transfer feature. It looks like 3.0.0 is a complete rewrite.
I’m going to have to install the newest version and see if I can figure this out. If I can find a way to do it, I’ll post an article. Give me some time to look into it. I’m up to my earlobes in projects right now. 🙂
Debbie says
Hi,
I have 2 websites up and running. I went to the MySQL wizard and set up the database for a third site. I can see it and the other two in the cpanel.
But when I login to Filezilla, I cannot see the new database. The other two are visible.
Any ideas? Thanks.
TE says
Hi Debbie
I am not sure what you are looking at. A MySQL database is not stored in an area on your server where you have access to it with FileZilla or any any FTP utility.
MySQL Wizard is an add-on for MySQL and is not associated with MySQL, so I have no idea how it sets up a database or why you cannot see it in cPanel. You should be able to see all of your MySQL databasaes in phpMyAdmin in cPanel, which is where you normally maintain databases.
serge says
For local files, I can’t get Filezilla to see our ‘network neighborhood’ on our LAN. We have a Unix server as part of the network where common files are kept. EditPlus, etc can see them…what am I doing wrong?
Doogie says
Hi Serge
I haven’t installed the new FileZilla version 3 yet. I have heard that there are improvements with that version that might solve your problem.
We have an in-house Linux server that we use for file storage and web site development and we have never had a problem accessing it with FileZilla. We have our server set up using Samba for the network connection. Samba allows a Linux/Unix server to be treated just like any Microsoft computer on the network. If you are not using Samba, you might want to look into that.
Kriss says
Im trying to install Filezilla on my Mac but it’s not working. I’ve downloaded the right software and the Filezilla icon is on my desktop but when I click it nothing happens. Can you please help?
TE says
Hi Kriss
I don’t work with Macs. It sounds like a Mac installation problem.
Perhaps someone else has an answer for you and will post it here.
Derrick says
Hi Kriss, you are probably running Mac OS 10.4
You need system 10.5 on your Mac to run the current version of FileZilla.
Hope this helps.
Derrick
Briana says
I’m trying to create an account with FileZilla using a Mac…I have everything as stated above (i.e, host, username, etc) but I keep getting the error msg: “Could not connect to server.” Any help would be appreciated!
Maria says
Greetings, TE,
I’ve recently downloaded Filezilla and haven’t published my website yet (green and scared). But coming across your website has given me the courage to continue fearlessly (or at least with less stress-related perspiration)! Thanks for “being there!”
TE says
Hi Maria
Working with a web site is not as scary as it initially appears. Just jump in and do i! 😀
David says
I am trying to use filezilla to keep a connection between my laptop and a server in the office. Works OK all the time I am in the office and inside the network, but once outside on an external connection I won’t find the server. Not really sure whether I am looking for the PC’s name, or an IP address?? Help?
Doogie says
Hi David
You have to talk to your network administrator to gain access from outside of the network. This sounds like a basic network security issue. No one is supposed to be able to access internal network resources from outside of a network unless they have the proper permissions and their user account is set up to allow access.
The internal server is probably set up using private network IP addresses, which cannot be accessed from the Internet. It is also possible that the internal server is not connected to the Internet or there is a firewall that restricts access. We set up our internal servers using private network IPs and do not have them connected to the web. No hacker access allowed. 😀
The answer lies with your network administrator.
Preston says
thanks.
the information was extremely helpful. i am about to launch my first web site and your tutorial was perfectly timed. maria’s comments were reassuring. how soon before we see FileZilla Advanced Tips?
kind regards.
Rose says
Thanks a lot for the tutorial. I tried connecting to my host (godaddy.com)several times but i got an error. Th error is “331 Login authentication failed”. I am sure that all the info that I inputted in the filezilla new site options are correct. I tried logging in to godaddy using the same info and i can connect to it without any problem. How can i connect using Filezilla then?
Doogie says
Hi Rose
Check your configuration settings again. The error message is telling you that it is not correct.
GoDaddy is a strange hosting company that doesn’t follow all of the typical Internet standards. You may have to call GoDaddy for clarification about the configuration. Their tech support is usually pretty good.
Here is a GoDaddy article that is supposed to explain how to use FTP utilities, such as FileZilla. Like most GoDaddy articles, it is very vague.
https://www.godaddy.com/help/accessing-online-storage-using-an-ftp-client-1298
You should use either an IP address or an FTP URL for the host name. You cannot log into an FTP account if you use an HTTP address, such as http://www.mydomain.com. If you have a shared IP address, try using just the domain name for the host name, i.e, mydomain.com. If you have a dedicated IP address, use that.
David says
Hi- great site, thanks! However something is driving me insane- I have changed some text (I’m using iWeb and in the saved version of the site the text is successfully deleted) and thought that I’d uploaded the new files (left to right windows in filezilla); all of the green text has flashed up and scrolled, but when I visit the site the old text is still there! I don’t know what I’m doing wrong!
Argh.
Thanks!
Doogie says
Hi David
This is a common issue. You are either copying the files to the wrong directory, or your browser is caching the page. Try deleting the file from the server and make sure that you copy the revised file to the correct location. I’ve been working on web sites for over 10 years and I still accidentally copy files to the wrong directories. It is also possible that you are revising the wrong file.
To refresh the browser cache, hold down the Alt key and click on the refresh icon on the browser’s tool bar. The refresh button usually looks like a recycling symbol.
Marcus says
Hey, I can get the expanding folders on the left side, but not the right, any help?
Doogie says
Hi Marcus
You have to be connected to a server before you will see folders on the right, Or you could be connected to a directory that does not have subfolders.
If you are sure that you are connected, you may have accidentally toggled the subfolders off. Check the FileZilla tool bar. There are two button icons that display directory trees, The one on the right toggles the display of the remote directory tree.
rasuno says
i keep seeing 530-your ftp session could not be opened. please guide me I’m lost and frustrated. This is as far as Ive made it.
Doogie says
Hi Rasuno
A 530 error means that the user authentication failed. Most likely, either your user name or password is incorrect. Contact your hosting company for the correct information. This could also be an issue with the hosting configuration. Your hosting company should be able to tell you how to configure FileZilla.
Julia says
hi
I am trying to uplaod files to web site for my grandmother, i can connect, but when it says it has uploaded the files and i try to look at the website, the default from the host is the only thing that shows. my files are never there.
Doogie says
Hi Julia
You probably are uploading the files to the server, but are uploading them to the wrong directory. You need to upload your scripts to the root directory. The files will not be found unless they are in the correct directory.
Look for one of the following directory names. These are typical names for root directories. If you do not find one of these directory names, you will need to ask your hosting company. They can name it anything that they want when the server is configured, but most do use the standard names.
html
public_html
www
wwwroot
Also make sure that you are using the correct URL to find the root directory. If you are using freebie hosting from your ISP, the addresses can look strange.
Tony says
Hello there
Thanks for the tutorial. Good work.
Is it possible to edit files on the server and save using FileZilla? If so how do you do it?
Thanks
Tony
Doogie says
Hi Tony
We just added a tutorial that shows you how to do that.
Editing Files Online With FileZilla.
Scott says
I’m new to filezilla and I’m trying to upload my html files. Do I need to create a folder for my html files along with my css files. Or do I need to create a new directory.
Doogie says
Hi Scott
Follow the instructions offered above to Julia and read the tutorial, Image and File Paths.
James says
I set up a website about a year ago using Dreamweaver CS3 and everything has been going well until about a week ago. All of a sudden when saving a html site to the remote server it won’t accept the images.
So I looked on the web abd someone had reommended using Filezilla as an alternative FTP site. So I have tried uploading the same html pages with problem images and get the ‘could not transfer’ error message.
I have tried swapping images and using ones that have already been successfully uploaded onto the remote server with success. Unfortunately it wont’ accept the html or jpeg image files from my latest attempts.
Any help would be gratefully received.
Doogie says
Hi James
Check to see if you are out of disk space on your server. The site’s control panel should tell you. If you use cPanel, it is called “Disk space available” under General Account Information. That would explain why it started with images (they are frequently larger files) and now will not accept HTML files.
If your disk is full either remove some files or ask your hosting company to allocate more space. The total disk drive space allocated to a web site also includes log files and files created by web stats software, such as AwStats and Webalizer, as well as error logs. Check those files to see if they are excessively large. If you do not know how to do this, ask your hosting company to do it. If your site gets a lot of traffic, those files can get large.
phil lack says
thanks for the very useful simple tutorial. I thought it would be a big deal learning Filezilla, but it was not.
Kris says
I have been using coffeecup’s ftp program for years to do my website, we are hosted by doteasy. Up until recently it worked okay. Lately, lots of disconnection errors, then today, the final straw, my html file was gone. Uploaded filezilla, got everything on to it. However, I am still using coffeecups html editor program to change things on my website. I get it changed and saved onto the html editor, but when I try to upload the new stuff, it is not going to the website. I have everything open as it was when I uploaded it, it says the transfer is complete. However, changes are not there. Could it be a host issue? or am I doing something wrong with filezilla?
Thanks,
Kris
Doogie says
Hi Kris
There is not enough information to tell what you might be doing wrong, but it sounds like you are connecting to the wrong directory on the server. Some hosting configurations have directories that mirror the live site. Make sure you are connecting to the correct directory on your server.
Christian says
Hey there.
I need a little help setting up FileZilla. I entered the following information:
Host: ********
Port: 21
Servertype: FTP File Transfer Protocol
Logontype: Normal
User: *******
Password **********
…
But what i think i did wrong was my host. What is a host?
Doogie says
Hi Christian
The host is the site’s domain name (not the entire URL), such as mydomain.com.
Liam says
Hi
I’m having problems restarting stalled files. I’m trying to send some video files to England that are approximately 4GB. The internet connection where I am is average at best and keeps cutting out. Is there a way of restarting the download from the point it stopped, rather than having to restart from the begining?
Doogie says
Hi Liam
If you just wait until it reconnects FileZilla should pick up where it left off. At least that is the way it works when I see a timeout or a disconnect.
Garnet says
I’ve been saving my Hostgator Website (I’ve had it since August) for an upcoming project, but last weekend I decided to set up an add on Domain for me to play around with. I’ve been trying to follow a .pdf tutorial related to establishing a sucessful blogging site, and I’ve gotten as far as downloading FileZilla. The tutorial claims that once FileZilla successfully links to my directory, I’m supposed to be able to access files in the Remote site area.
But there’s nothing there.
Back in April, someone else suggested a similar problem, and you said this:
“You have to be connected to a server before you will see folders on the right, Or you could be connected to a directory that does not have subfolders.
“If you are sure that you are connected, you may have accidentally toggled the subfolders off. Check the FileZilla tool bar. There are two button icons that display directory trees, The one on the right toggles the display of the remote directory tree.”
I must be connected — FileZilla says “Directory listing successful.”
Toggling the button for the remote directory tree just collpases and opens up a second empty file area. There’s definitely no population of anything at all in the two areas, except an empty file folder icon in each.
I’m truly stalemated.
What I had really hoped for was to finally be able to upload a couple of very large video files that my wife took in Thailand last year — both are too large for any free media hosting sites. One of them is about 43 minutes long, and 1.51 gigabytes.
That’s the annoying thing about a .pdf tutorial — there is no avenue for seeking help when problems crop up, or the reader/student meets with what seems like obscure instruction.
Marjan says
I had a web designer create an FTP upload page on our web site so that customers can upload files to us. When they use the FTP upload page on our web site it lets us know with an e-mail notification and then I can go to Filezilla and download the image files. So I know how to do that much, very basic knowledge. But I have a customer that has files that are too large to send using the FTP upload on our web site so I thought I could set it up so that he could send them directly to me using Filezilla but I’m totally lost as to what steps I would need to do to make that work. Do you have any suggestions? Would he need to have a copy of Filezilla downloaded on his computer to make this work?
Doogie says
Hi Marjan
An FTP utility will only connect to web servers. The customer will have to e-mail the files to you or you could have an actual FTP location set up on your server that they could connect to. A web site developer can do this for you. There is no file size limitation with FTP. Your designer probably set up an http file upload script. That is not an FTP upload. The programming language probably has a file size limitation built into it for security, because you would not want to allow a user to upload twenty 100 meg files.
The default maximum upload file size can be changed on most web sites by altering or overriding the server configuration. If you have a PHP web site, the default file upload limitation is usually 2 megabytes, but that does not have anything to do with FTP. There are several methods for increasing the upload file size limitation. If you have a PHP site, look into upload_max_filesize.