Connect to a Game Server with SFTP (FileZilla)

To connect to your game server over SFTP, open the server in the panel, click Connect, and copy the host, port and username into FileZilla or WinSCP. For the password, use your account password or a dedicated SFTP password that you create in the same panel. SFTP is the best way to move large files, like worlds and modpacks, because it does not depend on your browser.

Before you start

• You need a free SFTP app. FileZilla, WinSCP (Windows) and Cyberduck all work.
• You need to be the owner of the server, or a person with file access who was given the SFTP permission (the Helper role includes it).
• The service has to be active. SFTP is refused while a server is suspended, paused or cancelled, and while a backup is being restored.

Find your SFTP details

1. Sign in to the SolumeCore panel and open your server.
2. Click Connect in the server header. The section Files from your computer (SFTP) shows Host, Port, User and Password.
3. You can also open the Files tab, click the ⋯ (More options) button and choose Connect with FileZilla (SFTP). It opens the Connect with SFTP drawer with the same details, plus the full address and your SSH keys.

Two details trip people up:

• The SFTP port is not your game port. Players join on the game address, but SFTP uses its own port. Always use the port the panel shows (for example 2022), never the one in your Minecraft address.
• The username is not just your account name. It is your username followed by a dot and a short server ID. Use the copy button instead of typing it.

Choose the password

The panel tells you which password works for you in the Password line:

To create an SFTP password:

1. In the SFTP details, click Create an SFTP password. The panel generates a strong password and shows it once. Copy it now and save it in your SFTP app.
2. If you would rather pick your own, open the Connect with SFTP drawer and use Choose it myself under Your own password. It needs at least 10 characters and works for all your servers.
3. The panel may ask you to confirm it is you before it saves a new credential.

Connect with FileZilla

1. Open FileZilla and go to File > Site Manager > New site.
2. Set Protocol to SFTP - SSH File Transfer Protocol.
3. Paste the Host and Port.
4. Set Logon Type to Normal, then paste the User and the password.
5. Click Connect. The first time, FileZilla asks whether you trust the server's key. Check Always trust this host and accept.

Prefer one click? Use Open in FileZilla / WinSCP. It opens an sftp:// link with your details already filled in, if an SFTP app is registered on your computer.

Once connected, the right panel shows your server files. Drag files from the left (your computer) to the right to upload, or the other way around to download.

Connect with WinSCP

1. Open WinSCP and start a New Session.
2. Set File protocol to SFTP.
3. Fill in Host name, Port number, User name and Password.
4. Click Login and accept the host key the first time.

Connect from the command line

On Linux, macOS and recent Windows versions you can use the built-in client. Replace the capital words with your details:

sftp -P PORT USERNAME@HOST
# Inside the session:
ls                     # list files
put myplugin.jar plugins/   # upload a file
get server.properties  # download a file

Use an SSH key instead of a password

A key lets your computer connect without typing a password, and it is the safest option if you connect often.

1. Create a key pair on your computer:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "my-laptop"
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "my-laptop"
type $env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub

2. In the Connect with SFTP drawer, find SSH keys and click Add key.
3. Give it a Name (for example, My laptop) and paste the Public key, the content of the .pub file. Never paste the private key.
4. In your SFTP app, choose key file authentication and select your private key. FileZilla and WinSCP may offer to convert it to their own format.

You can add up to 10 keys per server. Each one shows when it was last used, and Remove deletes it.

Troubleshooting

• Authentication failed or access denied. Copy the username from the panel instead of typing it. If you use two-factor authentication, switch to an SFTP password or an SSH key.
• Too many failed attempts. Repeated wrong passwords temporarily lock the login. Wait a few minutes, then try again with the right password.
• Connection timed out. Check that you used the SFTP port, not the game port. Some office and school networks also block outgoing SFTP traffic.
• You connect but cannot download or overwrite files. If you were invited to the server, the owner may have given you only some file permissions. Ask them to adjust them.
• Login refused with no clear reason. Check that the service is active and that no backup restore is running.

FAQ

What is the difference between FTP and SFTP?

SFTP encrypts everything you send, including your password, and runs over a secure connection. Game servers use SFTP, so choose SFTP and not plain FTP in your app.

What is my SFTP port?

It is shown next to the host in the panel. It is different from the port players use to join, so copy it from the Port field.

Can I use my account password for SFTP?

Yes, unless you have two-factor authentication or a passkey as a second factor, or you sign in with Google or Discord. In those cases create an SFTP password or add an SSH key.

Can I upload a whole Minecraft world with SFTP?

Yes. Upload the folder that contains level.dat, or use the world uploader in the panel, which finds the world for you. Read how to upload a Minecraft world.

Related articles

• Use the game server file manager
• Upload a Minecraft world to your server
• Extract ZIP, RAR and 7z files on your game server
• Invite helpers to your game server

Need a server to move files to? Take a look at our Minecraft server hosting.