FileZilla Upload Files to Server: Step-by-Step

This guide shows you how to use FileZilla, a free and popular FTP client, to upload files from your computer to your web server. You’ll enter your server’s connection details, connect, and then drag and drop files to transfer them. This is essential for publishing a website, updating files, or managing server content.

What You’ll Need

• FileZilla Client – Download and install it from the official FileZilla website (filezilla-project.org). It’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Server connection details – These are usually provided by your web hosting company. You’ll need:
• Host – The server address (e.g., ftp.example.com or an IP address).
• Username – Your FTP account username.
• Password – The password for that account.
• Port – Usually 21 for FTP, or 22 for SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol).
• Files to upload – The files or folders you want to transfer, already on your local computer.

Step-by-Step

1. Open FileZilla. After installation, launch the program. You’ll see the main window with several panels and toolbars.
2. Enter your connection details. At the top of the window, there’s a quickconnect bar with fields for Host, Username, Password, and Port. Fill them in. If you’re using SFTP, enter the host as sftp://your-server.com or just use the host field and choose SFTP from the protocol dropdown (if available). For standard FTP, leave the port as 21.
3. Click “Quickconnectâ€�. The button is next to the fields. FileZilla will attempt to connect. If it’s your first time connecting to this server, you may see a certificate or host key warning – click “OKâ€� or “Yesâ€� to accept and continue.
4. Wait for the connection to complete. The message log (top panel) will show status messages. When connected, you’ll see a list of directories in the “Remote siteâ€� panel (right side). This is your server’s file system.
5. Navigate to the correct remote directory. In the remote site panel, double-click folders to open them. Usually, you’ll want to upload to the public_html or www folder, but this depends on your hosting setup. Your hosting provider’s documentation will tell you the correct folder for web files.
6. Navigate to your local files. In the “Local site� panel (left side), browse to the folder on your computer that contains the files you want to upload.
7. Select the files or folders to upload. In the local site panel, click on a file to select it. To select multiple items, hold Ctrl (Windows/Linux) or Cmd (macOS) while clicking. To select a contiguous group, click the first item, hold Shift, and click the last.
8. Upload the files. Right-click on your selection and choose “Upload�. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the selected items from the local panel to the remote panel. FileZilla will begin transferring the files.
9. Monitor the transfer. The bottom panel shows the transfer queue and progress. You’ll see each file’s status (e.g., “Transferringâ€�, “Successfulâ€�). Wait for all transfers to complete.
10. Verify the upload. Once the transfer is done, check the remote site panel to confirm the files appear in the correct location. You can also open your website in a browser to see if the changes took effect.
11. Disconnect when finished. To close the connection, click the disconnect icon (a red X) in the toolbar, or go to Server > Disconnect.

Common Mistakes

• Wrong directory. Uploading files to the wrong folder on the server is a frequent issue. Double-check that you’re in the correct directory (often public_html or www) before uploading.
• Using FTP instead of SFTP. If your host requires SFTP (port 22) and you use standard FTP (port 21), the connection will fail or be blocked. Check your hosting documentation for the correct protocol and port.
• Incorrect file permissions. Sometimes files need specific permissions (e.g., 644 for files, 755 for directories). FileZilla can change permissions by right-clicking a remote file and selecting “File permissions…â€�. If your site shows errors, this might be the cause.
• Uploading files that are still in use. If you’re editing a file and try to upload it while it’s open in another program, the upload may fail. Close the file first.
• Not refreshing the remote view. After an upload, the remote panel might not automatically refresh. Press F5 or right-click and select “Refreshâ€� to see the latest files.

Tips

• Use Site Manager for frequent connections. Instead of typing details every time, go to File > Site Manager, click “New Siteâ€�, enter your details, and save. Then you can connect with one click.
• Enable “Keep directories synchronizedâ€�. In the toolbar, there’s an icon that looks like two arrows. This option automatically navigates the local and remote panels to the same relative folder, saving time.
• Use drag and drop carefully. Dragging files from the remote panel to your local panel will download them; dragging from local to remote uploads. Make sure you’re dragging in the right direction.
• Check file names. Some servers are case-sensitive. Ensure your file names match exactly (e.g., index.html vs Index.html).
• Transfer in binary mode for images. FileZilla automatically chooses the transfer type, but if you have issues with corrupted images, you can force binary mode via Transfer > Transfer Type > Binary.

Troubleshooting

• Connection times out or is refused. Check that you have the correct host and port. If using a firewall, ensure it allows FileZilla through. Try switching between FTP and SFTP. Also, verify that your hosting account is active and that FTP access is enabled.
• “Could not connect to serverâ€� error. This often means the hostname is wrong or the server is down. Double-check the host address. If you’re using a domain name, try the IP address instead. Also, check if your hosting provider requires a specific port or a different protocol.
• Authentication failed. Your username or password is incorrect. Reset your password through your hosting control panel if needed. Also, ensure you’re using the correct username (sometimes it includes a prefix like u123456789).
• Uploads are slow or stall. This could be due to a poor internet connection or server load. Try pausing and resuming the transfer, or upload files one at a time. Also, check if your hosting plan has bandwidth limits.
• “Permission deniedâ€� when uploading. The target directory may not be writable by your FTP user. Check the directory permissions on the server (should be 755 or 775 for directories). If you’re uploading to a folder owned by another user, you may need to change permissions via your hosting control panel.
• Files appear corrupted after upload. This often happens with text files (like .php or .html) if transferred in binary mode, or with images in ASCII mode. In FileZilla, go to Transfer > Transfer Type and select “Autoâ€� or “Binaryâ€� for images. Re-upload the affected files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between FTP and SFTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the standard protocol for transferring files, but it sends data and credentials in plain text. SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol) runs over an encrypted SSH connection, making it more secure. Many hosts now offer SFTP; use it when possible.

Can I upload an entire folder with FileZilla?

Yes. In the local site panel, right-click the folder and choose “Upload�. FileZilla will recursively upload all files and subfolders.

How do I change file permissions in FileZilla?

Right-click a file or folder in the remote site panel, select “File permissions…�, and enter the numeric value (e.g., 644 for files, 755 for directories). You can also check the boxes to set read/write/execute permissions.

Why can I see my files on the server but not on my website?

Possible reasons: you uploaded to the wrong directory, the file name is incorrect (e.g., index.html vs index.htm), or the web server needs a moment to refresh. Check the correct document root for your domain.

Is FileZilla free to use?

Yes, FileZilla Client is free and open-source. The FileZilla Server (for hosting) is also free, but this guide focuses on the client.

How do I resume an interrupted upload?

If a transfer fails, FileZilla usually shows the file in the failed transfers tab. Right-click and select “Resume� to continue from where it stopped, if the server supports resuming.

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