How to Fix FileZilla Server Connection Error

Key Takeaways

• The article covers four possible causes and solutions of the error: incorrect server address or port number, firewall or antivirus blocking the connection, FTP server offline or unreachable, or invalid login credentials.
• The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to check and correct each of these factors using FileZilla and other tools.

Learn how to troubleshoot and fix the common FileZilla server connection error that occurs when trying to access FTP server from outside the network.

FileZilla is a popular FTP client that allows users to transfer files between their local computers and a remote server. However, sometimes users may encounter the FileZilla server connection error that prevents them from accessing the FTP server from outside the network. This error can be caused by various factors, such as incorrect server address or port number, firewall or antivirus blocking the connection, FTP server offline or unreachable, or invalid login credentials.

In this article, we will explain how to fix the FileZilla server connection error by following some simple steps.

Solution 1: Check the Server Address and Port Number

One of the first things to check when you encounter the FileZilla server connection error is the server address and port number. You need to make sure that you have entered the correct server address and port number in the FileZilla client. The server address is usually the public IP address or domain name of the FTP server, and the port number is usually 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP. You can find the server address and port number in your hosting account details or by contacting your hosting provider. To enter the server address and port number in FileZilla, follow these steps:

1. Open FileZilla and click on the Site Manager icon or select File > Site Manager from the top menu.
2. Click on New Site and enter a name for your site.
3. In the Host field, enter the server address of your FTP server.
4. In the Port field, enter the port number of your FTP server.
5. In the Protocol field, select FTP or SFTP depending on your server configuration.
6. In the Logon Type field, select Normal and enter your username and password for your FTP account.
7. Click on Connect to test the connection.

If you have entered the correct server address and port number, you should be able to connect to your FTP server without any error. If not, you may need to check the other possible causes of the error.

Solution 2: Disable Firewall or Antivirus Software

Another possible cause of the FileZilla server connection error is that your firewall or antivirus software may be blocking the connection. Firewalls and antivirus software are designed to protect your computer from malicious attacks by blocking unauthorized access to the network. However, sometimes they may also block legitimate connections, such as FileZilla. To fix this issue, you need to disable your firewall or antivirus software temporarily and try to connect to your FTP server again. To disable your firewall or antivirus software, follow these steps:

1. Locate the icon of your firewall or antivirus software in the system tray (the lower-right corner of your screen) and right-click on it.
2. Select Disable or Turn Off from the menu and choose the duration for which you want to disable it.
3. Try to connect to your FTP server using FileZilla again.

If you can connect to your FTP server without any error, it means that your firewall or antivirus software was blocking the connection. You can enable your firewall or antivirus software again and add FileZilla as an exception or allow it through the firewall. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Locate the icon of your firewall or antivirus software in the system tray and right-click on it.
2. Select Settings or Options from the menu and look for the option to manage exceptions or allow applications through the firewall.
3. Add FileZilla as an exception or allow it through the firewall and save the changes.
4. Try to connect to your FTP server using FileZilla again.

If you still encounter the error, you may need to check the other possible causes of the error.

Solution 3: Check the FTP Server Status

Another possible cause of the FileZilla server connection error is that the FTP server may be offline or unreachable. This can happen due to server maintenance, downtime, or overload. If the FTP server is offline or unreachable, FileZilla will not be able to establish a connection with the server, resulting in an error. To fix this issue, you need to check the FTP server status and wait until it is online and reachable again. To check the FTP server status, follow these steps:

1. Contact your hosting provider and ask them if the FTP server is online and reachable.
2. Alternatively, you can use an online FTP tester tool, such as this one, to check the FTP server status. Enter the server address, port number, username, and password of your FTP account and click on Test FTP Server. The tool will show you the results of the connection test and any errors that may occur.
3. If the FTP server is online and reachable, you should be able to connect to it using FileZilla without any error. If not, you may need to check the other possible causes of the error.

Solution 4: Verify the Login Credentials

Another possible cause of the FileZilla server connection error is that the login credentials of your FTP account may be invalid or incorrect. You need to make sure that you have entered the correct username and password for your FTP account in FileZilla. If the login credentials are invalid or incorrect, FileZilla will not be able to authenticate with the server, resulting in an error. To fix this issue, you need to verify the login credentials of your FTP account and enter them correctly in FileZilla. To verify the login credentials of your FTP account, follow these steps:

1. Check your hosting account details or your welcome email from your hosting provider to find the username and password of your FTP account. Alternatively, you can create a new FTP account or reset the password of your existing FTP account in your hosting control panel.
2. Enter the username and password of your FTP account in FileZilla correctly. Make sure that you do not have any typos or extra spaces in your login credentials. Also, make sure that you use the correct case for your login credentials, as they are case-sensitive.
3. Try to connect to your FTP server using FileZilla again.

If you have entered the correct login credentials, you should be able to connect to your FTP server without any error. If not, you may need to contact your hosting provider for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is FileZilla?

Answer: FileZilla is a free and open-source FTP client that allows users to transfer files between their local computers and a remote server.

Question: What is FTP?

Answer: FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol, which is a standard network protocol for transferring files between a client and a server over the internet.

Question: What is SFTP?

Answer: SFTP stands for Secure File Transfer Protocol, which is a secure version of FTP that uses SSH (Secure Shell) to encrypt the data transfer.

Question: What is the difference between FTP and SFTP?

Answer: The main difference between FTP and SFTP is that FTP transfers data in plain text, which can be intercepted and compromised by hackers, while SFTP transfers data in encrypted form, which provides more security and privacy.

Question: How to use FileZilla?

Answer: To use FileZilla, you need to have an FTP account on a remote server and the server address, port number, username, and password of your FTP account. You also need to download and install FileZilla on your local computer. Then, you can use FileZilla to connect to your FTP server and transfer files using drag-and-drop functionality.

Summary

In this article, we have explained how to fix the FileZilla server connection error that occurs when trying to access FTP server from outside the network. We have covered the following possible causes and solutions of the error:

• Check the server address and port number and enter them correctly in FileZilla.
• Disable firewall or antivirus software temporarily and try to connect to FTP server again. If successful, enable firewall or antivirus software again and add FileZilla as an exception or allow it through the firewall.
• Check the FTP server status and wait until it is online and reachable again. Alternatively, use an online FTP tester tool to check the FTP server status.
• Verify the login credentials of your FTP account and enter them correctly in FileZilla.

We hope that this article has helped you to troubleshoot and fix the FileZilla server connection error. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not affiliated with FileZilla or any of the products or services mentioned in this article. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided in this article. You should always consult your own IT professional before making any changes to your system or network.