File Transfer Guide
Here's How to Use FTP to Upload Files With FileZilla
Create an FTP account in cPanel, connect over FTPS in FileZilla, and move files to and from a hosting account without guesswork.
Port 21
Standard FTP control connection port
Free
FileZilla client and cPanel FTP accounts included
FTPS
Encrypted transfer mode recommended over plain FTP
24/7
Human support for FTP connection issues
In short
Here's how to use FTP to upload files: create an FTP account in cPanel's FTP Accounts tool to get a host, username, and password, then enter those details into FileZilla's Site Manager along with port 21 and FTPS encryption. Once connected, files are dragged from the local side of the FileZilla window into the remote public_html folder to upload them to the live site.
FTPS (FTP over TLS) encrypts the login and transfer, which is why it should be the default choice over plain unencrypted FTP whenever the host supports it.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the standard way to move files between a local computer and a hosting account without going through a browser-based file manager, and FileZilla is the most widely used free client for doing it. It's the tool of choice for uploading a full site at once, syncing a local development copy, or pulling a backup of everything currently live.
This guide walks through creating an FTP account in cPanel, entering the right connection details in FileZilla, and the transfer basics — including the difference between FTP and the encrypted FTPS variant, and why port and protocol settings matter more than people expect.
How to Use FTP to Upload Files: Creating an FTP Account First
Inside cPanel's FTP Accounts tool, a new account is created by choosing a username, a password, and a home directory — typically public_html or a specific subfolder if the FTP account should only see part of the site. cPanel also displays the main account's own FTP login details for full access to everything under the account.
It's worth creating a dedicated FTP account scoped to just the folder a particular task needs (a developer working on one subdomain, for instance) rather than always handing out the full account's credentials, since a scoped account limits what can be seen or changed if that login is ever compromised.
Setting Up the Connection in FileZilla
In FileZilla, the File menu's Site Manager is where a new connection profile gets saved: the Host field takes the server's hostname or IP (found in the welcome email or cPanel), Port is set to 21 for standard FTP, and Encryption should be set to 'Require explicit FTP over TLS' whenever the host supports FTPS rather than leaving it on plain unencrypted FTP.
Logon Type is set to Normal, with the username and password entered exactly as created in cPanel's FTP Accounts tool. Clicking Connect after saving these details should show a green confirmation in FileZilla's message log at the top, followed by the remote server's folder structure appearing in the right-hand panel.
Uploading and Downloading Files
FileZilla splits its window into a local pane (the computer's own files, on the left) and a remote pane (the hosting account's files, on the right). Uploading is as simple as dragging a file or folder from the local side into public_html (or wherever the FTP account's home directory is set) on the remote side; downloading works the same way in reverse.
The Transfer Queue at the bottom of the window shows progress for anything in flight, and larger sites with many files transfer faster if they're compressed into a single zip locally, uploaded as one file, then extracted on the server side using cPanel's File Manager rather than transferring thousands of small files individually over FTP.
Troubleshooting a Failed Connection
A connection that times out or gets refused is most often caused by an incorrect host, a firewall blocking outbound FTP on the local network, or passive mode conflicts — switching FileZilla's Transfer Settings to passive mode (the default) resolves most of these. A 'login incorrect' error almost always means a typo in the username or password rather than a server-side problem.
If credentials and host are confirmed correct and the connection still fails, checking whether the network being used (a corporate or public Wi-Fi) blocks FTP traffic outright is worth ruling out before assuming the hosting account itself has an issue.
FTP Access That Just Works, Backed by Real Support
Every Hosting Cheap account includes cPanel FTP account creation with support for encrypted FTPS connections, so files can move to and from the server without exposing credentials in plain text.
If a FileZilla connection won't cooperate, 24/7 human support can check server-side FTP settings directly rather than leaving troubleshooting entirely to guesswork.
- cPanel FTP Accounts tool for creating scoped or full-access logins
- FTPS encryption supported for secure transfers
- Pure NVMe SSD storage for fast upload and download speeds
- 24/7 human support for connection and permission issues
Why Hosting Cheap
What you get
Simple FTP Account Creation
Generate scoped or full-access FTP logins directly from cPanel.
FTPS Encryption Supported
Connect securely over FTP over TLS instead of sending credentials unencrypted.
Pure NVMe SSD + LiteSpeed
Files transferred over FTP land on fast storage the moment they arrive.
Daily Backups
A safety net exists even if an FTP upload overwrites something unintentionally.
24/7 Human Support
Get real help diagnosing a connection, port, or permissions problem.
Free Migration Included
Bulk file transfer for a full site move doesn't have to be done manually over FTP at all.
How It Works
Get set up in a few steps
Create an FTP account in cPanel
Set a username, password, and home directory in the FTP Accounts tool.
Configure the connection in FileZilla
Enter the host, port 21, FTPS encryption, and the new credentials in Site Manager.
Drag files between local and remote panes
Upload or download by dragging files between FileZilla's two file panels.
Included
Everything you need, on every plan
- FTP account created in cPanel with a clear, scoped home directory
- Host, port 21, and FTPS encryption entered correctly in FileZilla
- Test connection made before transferring anything important
- Large sites zipped locally and extracted server-side rather than transferred file by file
- Firewall or network restrictions ruled out if a connection fails
- FTP passwords stored securely, not shared over unencrypted channels
- Unused or old FTP accounts removed from cPanel periodically
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What port does FTP use?
Standard FTP uses port 21 for the control connection, with data transfer happening over additional ports negotiated automatically, usually in passive mode by default in FileZilla.
Is FTP or FTPS better to use?
FTPS should be the default whenever the host supports it, since it encrypts both the login credentials and the file transfer itself. Plain FTP sends everything, including passwords, unencrypted.
Where do I find my FTP host and credentials?
The hosting welcome email typically lists the FTP host and the main account's login, and cPanel's FTP Accounts tool shows those same details plus any additional accounts created.
Why does FileZilla show a timeout error?
This is usually a network or firewall issue blocking outbound FTP, or a passive mode mismatch. Confirming the host is correct and that FileZilla is set to passive mode resolves most timeouts.
Can I limit an FTP account to just one folder?
Yes, when creating the account in cPanel's FTP Accounts tool, setting the home directory to a specific subfolder restricts that login to only see and modify files within it.
Is FTP the best way to upload a very large site?
For sites with thousands of files, compressing everything into a zip, uploading that single file over FTP, and extracting it server-side via File Manager is generally faster than transferring each file individually.
Get FTP Access That's Fast and Secure
cPanel FTP accounts, FTPS encryption, and NVMe SSD storage on every Hosting Cheap plan.
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