How to Fix File Ownership and Permissions

Understanding file ownership and permissions is essential for maintaining control, security, and proper access to your website files. Incorrect ownership or permissions can lead to access errors, broken websites, or security risks. Fortunately, Bluehost provides a built-in tool in the Account Manager that allows you to quickly fix file ownership and permissions to their default settings.

• Fixing File Ownership and Permissions
• Permission Groups and Types
• Default Permissions for Files and Folders
• Summary
   

Fixing File Ownership and Permissions

Follow the steps below to reset file ownership and restore default permissions for your website.

1. Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
2. In the left-hand menu, click Websites.
3. Click the Manage button located next to the website you want to manage.

   
    

4. On the website management page, click the FILES & ACCESS tab.

   
    

5. Scroll down to the Fix File Ownership section and click Manage.

   
    

6. Check the box confirming that you understand file ownership and permissions will be reset to default values, and that this may affect file accessibility.

   
    

7. Click Confirm to proceed.

Permission Groups and Types

Each file and folder on your server uses a permission system based on three user groups:

• User (Owner) - The account that owns the file or folder.
• Group - Other users within the same server group.
• World (Others) - Anyone else, including public visitors.

Each group can be granted different levels of access:

• Read (r) - Allows viewing the file or listing folder contents.
• Write (w) - Allows editing the file or adding/removing files in a folder.
• Execute (x):
  • For files: Allows the file to run as a program or script.
  • For folders: Allows access to open and navigate the directory.

Default Permissions for Files and Folders

In Bluehost’s File Manager, permissions are displayed as numeric values. These values represent a combination of permissions assigned to the User, Group, and World.

• A three-digit number (e.g., 755) represents permissions for User / Group / World.
• If four digits appear (e.g., 0755), the first digit can be ignored.

Permission Values

• Read = 4
• Write = 2
• Execute = 1
• No permission = 0

Common Combinations

• 3 → Write (2) + Execute (1)
• 5 → Read (4) + Execute (1)
• 6 → Read (4) + Write (2)
• 7 → Read (4) + Write (2) + Execute (1)

Default Bluehost Permissions

• Files (644):

  • User: Read and Write
  • Group / World: Read only

• Folders (755):

  • User: Read, write, and access
  • Group / World: Read and access only (no file creation or deletion)

These defaults balance functionality and security for most websites.

Summary

Managing file ownership and permissions is critical for keeping your website secure and functioning correctly. This guide explains how to reset ownership and restore default permissions using the Bluehost Account Manager, as well as how to understand permission groups and numeric values. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to troubleshoot access errors and maintain a safe hosting environment.