How to Use FileZilla: Beginner’s Guide to FTP & File Transfer

Key takeaways

• FileZilla solves the “Maximum size exceeded” errors when you upload large WordPress themes or plugins.
• This free FTP client connects directly to your server and bypasses all WordPress upload limits.
• Connect securely to Bluehost with SFTP on port 22 instead of standard FTP.
• The dual-panel interface lets you easily drag and drop files between your computer and server.

Introduction

[“File upload failed. Maximum size exceeded.”] 

If you’ve ever tried uploading a theme or large plugin to WordPress, you’ve probably seen this frustrating message. You’re not alone – 74% of WordPress users hit these file size limits, often at the worst possible moments.  

Professional WordPress developers have used a simple solution for years that will solve this problem for you. 

The solution is FileZilla, a powerful yet easy-to-use FTP client. Understanding how to use FileZilla allows you to transfer files directly to your website’s server. No more dealing with upload limits or frustrating errors. FileZilla gives you full control over your WordPress files—even when your dashboard is inaccessible.  

In this tutorial, you’ll learn exactly how to use FileZilla to easily manage your WordPress website files without any limitations. But first, let’s understand what FileZilla is.  

What is FileZilla?

FileZilla is a free, open-source FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client that helps you transfer files between your computer and your website’s server. Your WordPress dashboard offers many file management options, but sometimes you need deeper access. This is where FileZilla becomes essential.   

You can use it to:  

• Upload plugin or theme files directly to your server  
• Download backup copies of your website  
• Edit files when WordPress admin access isn’t working  
• Troubleshoot technical issues by accessing core files  

Most WordPress users discover FileZilla FTP client’s value when they need to migrate websites, install custom code or fix issues that can’t be resolved through the standard dashboard. The visual interface makes moving files intuitive, even for beginners. Understanding how to use FileZilla to transfer files will save you time and frustration in these situations. 

How to download and install FileZilla?

Before you start using FileZilla to transfer files, you need to download and install it on your PC. The process varies slightly depending on your operating system (OS), but it is straightforward.   

Follow these steps to get FileZilla up and running.  

Finding the official download page  

The first thing you must do is download FileZilla from the official website to avoid potentially harmful software. Follow these steps:  

1. Go to filezilla-project.org  
2. Click the “Download FileZilla Client” button  
3. Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS or Linux)  

Pro tip: Always download FileZilla from the official site. Third-party download sites sometimes bundle unwanted software with legitimate programs.  

Windows installation steps 

Installing FileZilla on Windows is straightforward:  

1. Open the downloaded .exe file and respond to any Windows security prompts by clicking “Yes”  

2. Select your preferred language, then click “OK” and “Next” on the welcome screen  
3. Accept the license agreement by selecting “I Agree”  

You’ll need to decide whether to install it for all users or just yourself. The default installation components work well for most users.

You can keep the default installation location or choose a different directory if preferred.  

4. Select where you want to install the program and click “Next.”

5. Now, select whether you want to create shortcuts and click “Install.” 

6. Once complete, click “Finish” to launch FileZilla  

macOS installation steps 

Mac users will find the installation process equally straightforward. Here’s how it goes:  

1. Open your Downloads folder by selecting Go > Downloads from the main menu  

2. Find the FileZilla installation file (typically named something like FileZilla_macosx-x86.app.tar.bz2) 

3. Double-click on the installation file to unzip it  
4. Drag the FileZilla icon to the Dock (referred to as “taskbar” in the documentation) for easy access  

You might see a security prompt about downloading from the internet – this is normal for non-App Store applications. Click “Open” again to confirm. FileZilla will now launch on your Mac and be ready for use.  

First-time setup considerations  

The first time you open FileZilla, you’ll see several setup options. You can choose whether to enable anonymous usage statistics to help improve the program. FileZilla also checks for updates automatically, ensuring you always have the most secure version.  

A welcome screen presents quick tips for beginners – these are worth reading if you’re new to FTP clients. The interface may look complex at first glance, but don’t worry. Once you learn how to use FileZilla to transfer files, the process becomes second nature. 

Understanding the FileZilla interface  

At first glance, FileZilla’s interface may look overwhelming with multiple panels and buttons. However, once you understand its layout, navigating the software becomes intuitive. Here’s a breakdown of the main sections you’ll use to manage file transfers efficiently:  

1. Toolbar: Contains buttons for common actions like connect, disconnect, refresh and site manager  
2. Quick connect bar: Allows fast connection to servers without saving details  
3. Status window: Shows connection messages and transfer status  
4. Directory windows: Left side shows your local directory, right side shows server files on remote directory  
5. Transfer queue: Bottom section displays ongoing and completed file transfers  

 The left panel shows files on your computer, while the right panel displays list of files on your website server after connecting. This side-by-side view makes transferring files intuitive and helps you quickly navigate both environments.  

How to connect to your website via FTP?

To upload and download files, you need to connect FileZilla to your website’s server. This requires specific login information that you can retrieve from your hosting provider. Let’s go over how to locate your FTP credentials and set up a connection.  

1. Locating FTP credentials in Bluehost  

Before connecting, you need your FTP credentials from your web hosting provider. Most hosting companies make these credentials available through their account dashboard. 

As a leading WordPress hosting provider, Bluehost offers easy access to your FTP credentials through our intuitive dashboard. You can quickly locate all the necessary connection details for both new and existing websites in just a few clicks.

Here’s how you can locate them:  

1. Log in to your Bluehost account  
2. Go to “Hosting” in the left sidebar

3. Select cPanel and click “FTP Accounts”  

4. Here you’ll find your existing FTP users or can create a new one  
5. Note down three crucial pieces of information:
   • FTP hostname (usually ftp.[yourdomain].com)  
   • FTP username  
   • FTP password  

If you’ve forgotten your password, you can reset it from this screen. For security, we recommend creating specific FTP users with limited access rather than using your main account credentials.  

2. Setting up a new connection  

FileZilla offers two ways to connect: Quick Connect for one-time access or Site Manager for saved connections. For your Bluehost WordPress site, the FileZilla Site Manager is better since you’ll likely connect regularly.  

To create a saved connection in Site Manager:  

1. Click the Site Manager icon (first icon on the toolbar) or press Ctrl+S  

2. Click “New Site” and name it something recognizable like “My Bluehost WordPress Site”  
3. On the General tab, enter your Bluehost details:   
   • Host: your FTP hostname from Bluehost (for example, ftp.[yourdomain].com)
   • Port: leave blank for default (21)  
   • Protocol: Choose FTP or SFTP (see below)  
   • Encryption: Choose “Use explicit FTP over TLS if available” for better security  
   • Logon Type: Choose “Normal” to save your password  
   • User: Your FTP username from Bluehost  
   • Password: your FTP password  
   • Click “Connect” to connect immediately or “OK” to save without connecting  

This setup takes just a minute but saves you from entering your credentials each time you need to access your Bluehost site. Learning how to use FileZilla server properly starts with these basic connection settings. 

3. FTP vs SFTP connection options  

FileZilla supports both FTP and SFTP connections:  

• FTP (File Transfer Protocol): The standard protocol, usually on port 21  
• SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol): A more secure option, usually on port 22  

For Bluehost accounts, always use SFTP when possible. It encrypts your current connection to protect your data and login credentials. To configure SFTP with Bluehost:  

1. Select “SFTP – SSH File Transfer Protocol” from the Protocol dropdown  
2. Change the port to 22 (or the port specified by your host)  
3. Your other settings remain the same  

We specifically recommend using SFTP over regular FTP for improved security. All Bluehost hosting plans support SFTP connections.  

Read more: Setting Up Using Secure FTP  

4. Saving site manager profiles  

Once you’ve set up your connection, FileZilla saves it in Site Manager. To connect in the future:  

1. Open Site Manager (first icon or Ctrl+S)  
2. Select your saved Bluehost site profile  
3. Click “Connect”  

If you manage multiple WordPress websites on Bluehost or other hosting providers, you can save profiles for each one. This feature is particularly helpful for developers and agencies managing several client sites.  

How to use FileZilla to transfer files?

Now that you’re connected to your website, you can start transferring files. FileZilla provides an intuitive way to upload, download and manage your site’s content.  

1. Uploading files to your FTP server  

After connecting to your Bluehost account, uploading files to your WordPress site is straightforward:  

1. Connect to your server using your saved Bluehost profile  
2. In the left panel, navigate to the files on your computer you want to upload  
3. In the right panel, navigate to the destination folder on your Bluehost server  
4. Select the files or folders you want to upload from the left panel  
5. Right-click and select “Upload” or simply drag them to the right panel  

For Bluehost WordPress sites, you’ll typically upload files to specific directories. The most common locations include:  

• /wp-content/themes/ for custom theme files  
• /wp-content/plugins/ for adding plugins manually  
• /wp-content/uploads/ for media files like images and documents  

Bluehost uses a standard WordPress directory structure, making it easy to find where files should go. When installing a new theme, upload it to the themes directory and then activate it through your WordPress dashboard.  

2. Downloading files from your server  

Downloading files from your Bluehost account works similarly:  

1. Navigate to the files you want to download in the right server panel  
2. Select the files or folders you need  
3. Right-click and select “Download” or drag them to the left panel  

This process is especially useful for creating manual backups of your WordPress site. While Bluehost offers automated backups on many plans, downloading a complete copy of your site provides additional peace of mind before making major changes.  

Read more: Handy Guide to Backing Up Your WordPress Website  

3. Drag-and-drop file management  

The simplest way on how to use FileZilla to transfer files between your computer and Bluehost server is through FileZilla’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface:  

1. Select one or multiple files in either panel  
2. Drag them from the source panel to the destination panel  
3. FileZilla starts the transfer automatically  

You can also navigate through folders by double-clicking them in either panel, just like you would in your regular file manager.  

4. Managing file permissions  

Sometimes you need to modify file permissions on your WordPress site. Bluehost uses standard Linux permissions that you can change through FileZilla:  

1. Right-click the file or folder on your Bluehost server  
2. Select “File permissions”  

3. A dialog appears with checkboxes for different permissions  
4. Alternatively, enter a numeric value like 755 or 644  
5. Click “OK” to apply the changes 

 For Bluehost WordPress sites, follow these permission guidelines:  

• Folders: 755 (owner can read/write/execute, others can read/execute)  
• Regular files: 644 (owner can read/write, others can read)  
• wp-config.php: 600 (only owner can read/write for maximum security)  

Incorrect permissions can cause security issues or prevent WordPress from functioning properly. If you’re unsure, contact Bluehost support before making significant permission changes.  

5. Transfer settings and best practices  

To optimize file transfers with your Bluehost account:  

1. Go to Edit > Settings > Transfers  
2. Set “Simultaneous transfers” to 2-3 for shared hosting plans  
3. Enable “Limit number of simultaneous connections” for better stability  

 When transferring WordPress files on Bluehost:  

• Always create a full backup before making major changes  
• Avoid modifying core WordPress files as they’ll be overwritten during updates  
• Use the WordPress dashboard for plugin and theme updates when possible  
• Schedule large file transfers during off-peak hours for better performance  

Following these best practices will help ensure smooth file transfers and maintain the stability of your Bluehost WordPress site.  

Common FileZilla errors and how to fix them

Even experienced users occasionally run into connection issues with FileZilla. Here are solutions to the most common problems you might encounter when learning how to use FileZilla server:  

1. Connection failure solutions  

If you see “Could not connect to server” error when trying to connect to your hosting account:  

1. Double-check your FTP credentials in your hosting account dashboard  
2. Verify the hostname is correct (typically ftp.[yourdomain].com)  
3. Try using your main hosting username instead of an FTP-specific username  
4. Reset your FTP password if necessary  
5. Make sure your internet connection is working properly  
6. Temporarily disable your firewall or add an exception for FileZilla  

If the error message mentions “EAI_NONAME – Neither nodename nor servname provided,” try using your server’s IP address instead of the domain name. You can find your server IP in your hosting dashboard under domain settings.  

2. Timeout errors and settings  

“Connection timed out” errors are common when working with shared hosting services:  

1. Go to Edit → Settings → Connection in FileZilla  
2. Increase the timeout value to 120 seconds  
3. Enable “Reconnect automatically” and set attempts to 3  
4. Reduce simultaneous connections in Transfer Settings if you’re on a shared hosting plan  

Many shared hosting providers limit the number of concurrent connections. If you experience frequent timeouts, try limiting FileZilla to 1-2 connections at a time in your settings.  

3. Permission denied errors  

When uploading or modifying files, you might see “Permission denied” messages such as:  

1. Check if you have the correct access level for your FTP account  
2. Some directories in managed WordPress hosting are restricted for security  
3. For WordPress sites, focus on the wp-content directory for your customizations  
4. Contact your hosting provider if you need temporary access to restricted directories  

Permission errors often occur when trying to modify files or folders that your FTP user doesn’t have access to. This is especially common in managed WordPress environments where certain directories are protected.  

4. Failed to retrieve directory listing  

If you connect successfully but can’t see any files or folders:  

1. Check if you’re using active or passive transfer mode  
2. Go to Edit → Settings → Connection → FTP → Transfer Mode  
3. Try switching from “Default” to “Passive” (most common for modern servers)  
4. If passive mode doesn’t work, try “Active” instead  
5. Some firewalls block the ports needed for directory listings  

Passive mode is generally recommended for most connections, but some server configurations require active mode instead.  

5. Secure connection errors  

If you receive TLS/SSL errors when attempting a secure connection:  

1. Go to Edit → Settings → Connection → FTP  
2. Try changing your encryption setting from “Explicit” to “Implicit” (or vice versa)  
3. If secure connections fail consistently, try “Only use plain FTP” as a temporary solution  
4. Contact your hosting provider to confirm their SSL configuration  

Read more: How to Get Free SSL Certificate in 2025: A Complete Guide  

While unencrypted FTP works as a fallback, always use secure connections when possible to protect your login credentials and transferred data.  

Final thoughts  

FileZilla provides a reliable way to manage WordPress website files when you need more direct access than the dashboard offers. It bridges the gap between your computer and your hosting account, giving you greater control over your site’s files.  

With FileZilla, you can upload custom themes, install plugins manually and troubleshoot issues that can’t be resolved through the WordPress interface. The ability to download a complete backup of your site adds an extra layer of protection to your website.  

As you become more comfortable with how to use FileZilla server, you’ll find it’s an essential addition to your WordPress toolkit.  

Ready to take control of your WordPress website?   

Visit Bluehost today and get access to powerful tools, 24/7 support and seamless FTP access to manage your files with confidence.  

FAQs