Troubleshoot FTP issues

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Troubleshooting techniques to fix some of the most common issues with FTP access in Adobe Dreamweaver.

File Transport Protocol (FTP) is the most commonly used method for transferring files over the Internet. Follow these techniques in the order presented to find out the cause of common FTP issues and how to fix them. 

Before you get started

Before troubleshooting FTP access failures, verify that Dreamweaver and your operating system are updated.

You can update Dreamweaver using the Creative Cloud desktop app or from within Dreamweaver. Within Dreamweaver, choose Help > Updates and follow the onscreen instructions. To use the Creative Cloud app, see Update Creative Cloud apps.

Set up an FTP remote server

Dreamweaver can use an FTP server to upload and download website information. You can set up an FTP server on the Servers category of the Site Setup dialog box.

For additional information about setting up an FTP site, see Connect to a publishing server.

After you set up an FTP server, click Test to verify connection information. If you can't connect to your FTP server after entering the information, proceed to the next section.

Verify FTP access

Firewalls, routers, and other networking components can prevent you from accessing FTP servers. Follow the instructions below to verify that you can access an FTP server before verifying your connection information.

Temporarily disable software firewalls

Software firewalls restrict access to your computer and can prevent software from accessing the Internet. Numerous software firewalls prompt you when a program attempts to access the Internet.

  1. If prompted, select the option that allows Dreamweaver to access the FTP server. The following is an example dialog box:

    Windows Firewall
    Click the Allow access button

  2. If you are not prompted, disabling software firewalls can help you determine whether they are preventing access to FTP servers. See the firewall software documentation to temporarily disable software firewalls. 

    • If disabling the software firewall resolves the issue, configure the software to allow Dreamweaver access to FTP. For steps on adding an application to the allowed list, see the firewall software documentation.
    • If you can't locate the documentation to temporarily disable the software firewall, disable startup items and services. Most software firewalls are disabled using this process.

Verify that a router is not preventing the connection

Routers can have built-in hardware firewall or proxy servers. To determine if a router is preventing Dreamweaver from accessing the FTP server, temporarily remove the router from the network. You can connect the computer directly to a DSL or cable modem to eliminate the router. 

If the router is preventing access, see the router documentation to set up port forwarding from the computer.

Configure hardware firewall or proxy settings

Many companies use a hardware firewall and proxy server that can prevent Dreamweaver from accessing an FTP server. A hardware solution applies to all computers within the corporate network. Most home networks do not use hardware firewall or proxy technology.  

Determine if your company uses a hardware firewall or proxy:

  1. Contact your company's IT department to obtain firewall or proxy information.

    Note:

    Dreamweaver cannot connect through an authentication proxy. If your proxy server requires a user name and password, you can't connect to a remote FTP site. The IT department has to set up exceptions for the site and Dreamweaver. Dreamweaver can only store firewall/proxy information for a single authentication server.

  2. Choose Site > Manage Sites. 
  3. Select your site. 

  4. Click Edit .

  5. Select the Servers category.

  6. Select the server you want to modify, and click Edit .

  7. Expand More Options.

  8. Select Use Proxy, as defined in Preferences.

  9. Click the Preferences link.
  10. On the Site category, enter the provided firewall or proxy information in the Proxy Host and Proxy Port text boxes.

  11. Click Apply, and then click Close.

  12. In the FTP connection setup dialog box, click Test to test your settings.

Verify login credentials and other options

Login information is essential to connecting to an FTP site. Use the following information to verify your login information and make any necessary changes:

Verify your FTP information

Connecting to an FTP server requires an FTP address, port, login, and password. A root directory is required for some server configurations. This information is typically supplied by your web hosting service provider; verify all of this information with them. Below are tips to assist you.

FTP address

Use a standard web address or IP address for the FTP address. A web address is similar to eftp.adobe.com. An IP address appears as a set of four numbers separated with periods similar to 192.150.11.87. Web hosting service providers typically provide a domain name for your website such as www.adobe.com and a similar address for your FTP server such as ftp.adobe.com. 

Additional information that can assist you in connecting:

  • Do not enter the ftp:// in front of the web address.
  • If you were provided with a web address, enter the IP address rather than the web address. Contact your web hosting service provider or use the ping command to discover the IP address.

Port

Web hosting service providers can provide a different port to access the FTP server. The port is a number that creates a channel between your machine and the FTP server. The default port (21 for FTP and 22 for SFTP) is most likely being used if no port number is specified. The web address can appear in the format eftp.adobe.com:445, where eftp.adobe.com is the web address and the port is 445.  

Login name or user name

The login name is the user name used to log in to your FTP server. This information is supplied by your web hosting service provider and cannot be the same login information you use to access website information.

The user name must meet the following requirements:

  • No spaces
  • Alphanumeric characters only

Password

The password is associated with your login name and can be any combination of characters without spaces. The password is case sensitive.

Root directory

The root directory is the location on your server containing all the files and folders related to your website. If you have issues locating the root folder, contact your website hosting service provider.

Root directory entries that web hosting service providers typically use:

  • /
  • /[domain_name] (for example,  /www.mywebsite.org) 
  • /html 
  • /docs 
  • /www 
  • /public_html 

Log in with another FTP client

Logging in with another FTP client allows you to determine if the FTP server information is correct. Use any installed FTP client, such as FileZilla, or an online solution. For installation and configuration information for FileZilla or other software, see the product's documentation.

  • If you are able to log in to the FTP server using another FTP client, proceed to Select/deselect Passive mode.
  • If you can't log in to the FTP server, then the connection information is most likely incorrect. Contact your web hosting service provider to verify the information and the status of the service. 

Verify whether your SFTP server is supported

Dreamweaver is unable to connect with certain SFTP servers. For additional information on what SFTP servers work with Dreamweaver, see Limitations with website hosting servers using Adobe Contribute and Dreamweaver.

Modify connection options

Dreamweaver includes some additional configuration options that are sometimes required to connect to your FTP server. If the option is required, your web hosting service provider provides this information. Try the following configuration options to see if they resolve your connection issues.

Select/deselect Passive mode

Passive mode can help resolve FTP issues that firewalls cause, preventing the FTP server from opening a connection to your computer. When you use Passive mode, the connection is made from your computer to the server instead. 

  1. Choose Site > Manage Sites.

  2. Select your site and click Edit .

  3. Select the Servers category, and then select your remote server.

  4. Click Edit .

  5. Expand More Options.
  6. Select (or deselect) Use Passive FTP.

  7. Click Save, and then click Save again. Test your connection.

Select/deselect FTP performance optimization

The Use FTP Performance Optimization option speeds up file transfer times. If this option is already selected, try deselecting it to see if it clears up your FTP connection issues. Or if the option is deselected, try selecting it.

  1. Choose Site > Manage Sites.

  2. Select your site and click Edit .

  3. Select the Servers category, and then select your remote server.

  4. Click Edit .

  5. Expand More Options.
  6. Select (or deselect) Use FTP Performance Optimization.

  7. Click Save, and then click Save again. Test your connection.

Enable IPv6 transfer mode

IPv6 is a network protocol that extends the number of addresses available for networking. If it is required, this protocol requires that information is transferred differently across a network.

  1. Choose Site > Manage Sites.

  2. Select your site and click Edit .

  3. Select the Servers category, and then select your remote server.

  4. Click Edit .

  5. Expand More Options.
  6. Select (or deselect) Use IPV6 Transfer Mode.

  7. Click Save, and then click Save again. Test your connection.

Select SFTP

FTP has numerous security vulnerabilities despite its popularity. Secure FTP (SFTP) enables you to fully encrypt all file transfers and prevent unauthorized access to your data, files, user names, and passwords.

If you are not sure whether your server is running SFTP, check with your web hosting service provider.

If your server is running SFTP, follow these steps to select SFTP in Dreamweaver.

  1. Choose Site > Manage Sites 

  2. Select your site and click Edit .

  3. Select the Servers category, and then select your remote server.

  4. Click Edit .

  5. Select SFTP from the Connect Using pop-up menu.

  6. Click Save, and then click Save again. Test your connection.

 If your remote server is configured with old protocols, see Troubleshoot SFTP server connection issues.

Troubleshoot FTP log

Dreamweaver keeps a log of the commands it sends to the FTP server and its responses. Responses from the server can assist in diagnosing FTP issues. To view the FTP log, choose Window > Results > FTP Log. 

For more information on interpreting FTP log files, see Checking the FTP log.

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