How to Connect to Your Server via SFTP

How to Connect to Your Server via SFTP

SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) lets you connect directly to your server's files from your own computer. It is the most reliable way to upload large worlds, download backups, or move files that are too big or too many for the browser-based file manager.

What You'll Need

• A free SFTP client. We use FileZilla (filezilla-project.org) in this guide, but WinSCP and others work the same way
• Your SFTP details from the panel: host, port and username
• An SFTP password that you set yourself in the panel (Step 2 below)

Important: Your SFTP password is not the password you use to log in on our website. It is a separate password that you choose in the panel, so set it once before you connect for the first time.

Step 1: Install FileZilla

1. Go to filezilla-project.org and click Download FileZilla Client
2. Run the installer. The default settings are fine
3. Open FileZilla once it is installed

Note: Only download FileZilla from the official website. Third-party download sites sometimes bundle unwanted software.

Step 2: Find Your SFTP Details and Set a Password

1. Log in on our website and open the game panel
2. Select your server
3. Open the Access tab (under Advanced in the server menu). You can also click the SFTP button in the Files tab, which shows the same details
4. The SFTP file access section shows:
   • Host: your server's address
   • Port: 2022 (not the standard SSH port 22)
   • Username: in the format yourname.serverid, for example alex.1a2b3c4d. The part after the dot identifies the server, so always copy the full username
5. Click Set SFTP password, type a password of at least 12 characters (or click Generate) and click Save password

The SFTP password belongs to your account, so it works for every server you have with us. We never store it, so keep it in a password manager. If you forget it, just set a new one the same way.

Tip: Open in SFTP client starts your installed SFTP client with the host, port and username already filled in. You only type the password.

Step 3: Connect with FileZilla

Quick Connect (easiest)

At the top of FileZilla there is a quick connect bar with four fields:

1. Fill in all four fields
2. Click Quickconnect
3. If you see an "Unknown host key" warning, click OK. This is normal the first time you connect

Saved Connection (recommended for regular use)

To save the details so you don't have to type them every time:

1. Click File → Site Manager (or press Ctrl + S)
2. Click New Site and give it a name (e.g. My Game Server)
3. Set Protocol to SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol
4. Enter your Host, Port, User and Password
5. Set Logon Type to Normal
6. Click Connect

Step 4: Navigate Your Server Files

Once connected, FileZilla is split into two sides:

• Left side: your computer's files
• Right side: your server's files

On the right side you land in your server's root folder, the same folder you see in the Files tab. On a Minecraft server, for example, you will find:

• server.properties
• world/ (your world folder)
• plugins/ (on Paper or Spigot)
• mods/ (on Forge, NeoForge or Fabric)

Double-click folders to open them, just like in your file explorer.

Step 5: Upload Files to Your Server

1. On the left side, go to the file or folder on your computer that you want to upload
2. On the right side, go to the folder on your server where it should go
3. Drag and drop it from the left side to the right side
4. FileZilla shows the transfer progress at the bottom. Wait for it to finish

Uploading a folder: You can drag a whole folder and FileZilla uploads everything inside it, including subfolders. This is the best way to upload a world. Stop the server first so it does not overwrite the files you are uploading.

Step 6: Download Files from Your Server

1. On the right side, go to the file or folder you want to download
2. On the left side, go to where you want to save it on your computer
3. Drag and drop it from the right side to the left side

Tip: Download your world folder before making major changes. It is an extra copy you control yourself.

Troubleshooting

"Authentication failed" or the password is rejected:

• Use the SFTP password you set in the panel, not your website login password
• Check that the username is the full yourname.serverid from the panel
• Not sure what the password is? Click Set SFTP password and set a new one

"Connection refused" or "Could not connect":

• Check that the protocol is SFTP (not FTP) and the port is 2022
• Use the host from the panel, not our website address

Transfer is very slow:

• SFTP speed depends on your own internet connection
• Pause other downloads or streaming while you transfer large files

FileZilla shows "Timeout" during large uploads:

• Go to Edit → Settings → Connection and increase the timeout to 120 seconds

Files will not change or delete:

• Stop the server before changing files it is using, such as the world folder

Need more help? Open a support ticket and we will help you get connected.